David Ono to emcee Oct. 22 event; artist and activist Nobuko Miyamoto to perform.
“United in Action: Charging Forward” is the theme of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California’s 43rd Anniversary Gala, set for Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, 404 S. Figueroa St. in Downtown Los Angeles.
Cocktail reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.; dinner and program from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
Emceed by ABC 7 news anchor David Ono, the event will bring together AAPI leaders in civil rights, social justice, public office, business, entertainment and the arts.
The Japanese American National Museum along with Ann Burroughs, president and CEO, will be receiving the Legacy in Justice Award. JANM’s work has been crucial in preserving and sharing the Japanese American experience to promote understanding of America’s diversity. An internationally recognized human rights leader, Burroughs has spent more than 25 years advancing racial justice, preserving history, and fostering a culture rooted in dignity and human rights.
Morrison Foerster, the Pro Bono Champion law firm, will be receiving the Justice in Action Award for their tireless work supporting reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrants’ rights, having represented countless clients seeking asylum and immigrants unjustly detained all over the world. Morrison Foerster has been a staunch supporter of AJSOCAL for decades, having contributed hundreds of hours through citizenship workshops, poll and elections monitoring, naturalization, and issues concerning data security.
Peter and Jihee Huh will be receiving the Catalyst for Justice Award for their work in activism and philanthropy. After being inspired by their hardworking immigrant parents, they have devoted their lives to advancing social justice and protecting civil rights in the U.S. Through leadership roles with AJSOCAL, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Human Rights Watch, and other organizations, their endless work has strengthened civic engagement and improved the lives of underserved communities throughout Southern California.
Cecillia Wang, the national legal director of the ACLU, will be given the Joseph Ileto Courage Award for her commitment to defending democracy and human rights. The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, she successfully defended birthright citizenship before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2026. Throughout her career, she has fought for immigrants’ rights and civil liberties, challenging family separation, mandatory minimum sentences, the Muslim ban, and other injustices.
The evening will also feature a performance by Nobuko Miyamoto, a songwriter, theater artist, and activist whose career began on Broadway and in Hollywood musicals before she found her own voice in the Asian American movement. In 1987, she founded Great Leap, where she has spent nearly four decades using music, dance, and storytelling to bridge cultures and build community.
For more information, contact Janelle Hu at jhu@ajsocal.org or (213) 241-0231, or visit https://ajsocal.org/43rd-anniversary-fundraising-gala/.