FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 26, 2023
AAPI CHEFS, FILMMAKERS, ACTORS, AUTHORS, AND OPINION LEADERS GATHER FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE TO SALUTE JOURNALIST LISA LING AND ACTOR DANIEL WU
LOS ANGELES, CA —Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) and Cassia’s LA Chefs for Human Rights (LACHR) hosted the AJSOCAL LA CHEFS RUBY TABLE dinner on Monday night, bringing together acclaimed Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) chefs and community leaders, as well as talent from the entertainment and literary worlds. The evening was dedicated to social justice as a salute to the 2023 Ruby Table Heroes – journalist Lisa Ling and actor Daniel Wu – and a kick-off to a year-long celebration of AJSOCAL’s 40th anniversary.
Highlighting culinary excellence, a multi-course dinner was created by six acclaimed chefs from five Los Angeles restaurants: James Beard-nominated Bryant Ng (Cassia), Shirley Chung (Top Chef, Ms. Chi Café) Niki Nakayama & Carole Iida-Nakayama (Michelin-starred n/naka, n/soto), Jenee Kim (Park’s BBQ) and Bugra Arkin (Dolan’s Uyghur Cuisine).
Among those in attendance were: Ruby Hero Award Honorees Lisa Ling (This Is Life) and Daniel Wu (American Born Chinese) as well as Ambassadors for Justice, which include actors Yoson An (Mulan), Rosalind Chao (Mulan), Dawn Lyen-Gardner (Queen Sugar), philanthropist Krista Kleiner (former Miss Philippines), Emmy-nominated filmmaker Bao Nguyễn (Be Water), Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen (The Sympathizer), and the hero who disarmed the gunman at the Lai Lai Ballroom in Alhambra, Brandon Tsay. Upon Tsay’s introduction, guests rose to give him an emotional and heartfelt standing ovation.
The evening was emceed by Jeannie Mai Jenkins (America’s Test Kitchen: The Next Generation) whose spirited humor was punctuated by exuberant cheers of AAPI pride. The energy of the room was amplified by a rousing a cappella performance by the group The Filharmonic (Pitch Perfect 2) that prompted singing and dancing amongst the guests, and a standing ovation for an encore.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Ruby Hero Award to the award-winning journalist, producer and television host Lisa Ling and celebrated actor, director and producer Daniel Wu, in recognition of their outstanding leadership, advocacy work, and commitment to promoting the richness and complexity of AAPI communities.
Upon her acceptance of the award, Ling said about the Asian American experience, “The stories and experiences of our parents, uncles and aunties are integral to the fabric of this country. The best way to face racism and bigotry is by doing it together. I challenge all of us to be those shoulders upon which people can stand.”
Wu remarked, “Anti-Asian hate hasn’t stopped, so it’s important to remain vigilant. We as a community need to stay unified. Representation is so important. Go out and support when we see fellow Asian Americans in fields like sports, entertainment and politics.”
Addressing the ongoing scourge of anti-Asian hate, AJSOCAL CEO Connie Chung Joe and LA Chefs for Human Rights Co-Founder, Cassia Co-Owner and human rights lawyer Kim Luu-Ng spoke about the pressing need to take action.
“Asian Americans have experienced racism from the moment we arrived in this country centuries ago. It is now more critical than ever to fight racism, discrimination, and violence against AAPIs and all diverse peoples given the current rhetoric and environment in our country,” said Luu-Ng. “LA Chefs for Human Rights is dedicated to supporting human rights and social justice for all Angelenos. By supporting AJSOCAL, we are participating in the movement to bring us all closer to racial equity and equality.”
Chung Joe remarked, “Our AAPI history is American history and our contributions to this country need to be learned. Asian Americans deserve to be covered in the entire history book, not just one chapter. Now we, as AAPIs and allies, must use our talent, ambition, influence, resources and solidarity to seize this opportunity.”
The benefit dinner celebrated Asian American culinary excellence and raised critical funds for AJSOCAL, the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for AAPIs, as they enter their 40th anniversary this year. Among the sponsors and donors were:
| Ruby Sponsors: Bank of America Bird Marella Capital Group Chung Intervivos Trust Jamison Nielsen Plum Spring Foundation SoCal Gas Supervisor Hilda Solis The Walt Disney Co NBCU Wells Fargo UPS Flame Sponsor: Walzer Welcher & Yoda | Additional Top Sponsors: Chan Soon-Shiong Family Foundation Comcast|NBCU East West Bank Julia Gouw JPMorgan Chase Mayer Brown Pacific American Fish Co Panda Restaurant Group Linda Smith Red Boat Fish Sauce San San Lee |
About Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California
AJSOCAL is celebrating its 40th anniversary throughout the year of 2023 with a series of events that gather the community, amplify the forces of good and propel the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) movement forward. The anniversary builds upon the milestones of social justice that unified Asian Americans upon AJSOCAL’s founding in 1983. The non-profit is the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization for AAPI. AJSOCAL serves more than 15,000 individuals and organizations every year. Through direct services, impact litigation and policy advocacy AJSOCAL focuses on the most vulnerable members of AAPI communities while building a strong voice for civil rights and social justice. More info is at AJSOCAL.org.
About Cassia’s LA Chefs For Human Rights
Founded by Cassia Co-Owners Kim Luu-Ng and Chef Bryant Ng in 2016, LA Chefs for Human Rights is a fundraising platform that benefits and increases awareness of local human rights causes that directly affect our fellow Angelenos. Since its inception, LACHR has raised approximately $1.1 million by uniting some of the city’s most celebrated chefs, bakers, entertainers and human rights advocates through a series of in-person and virtual galas and events. 100% of the funds have gone towards local non-profits, which include Program for Torture Victims to support medical care and legal services for refugees seeking asylum and The People Concern to feed and provide homeless individuals and families with temporary and permanent housing. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Cassia and the Rustic Canyon Family also donated hundreds of meals to The People Concern’s three interim housing sites in Santa Monica.
###
PHOTOS AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD:
AJSOCAL/SHUTTERSTOCK Photos of Arrivals
photo credit: AJSOCAL and Shutterstock
AJSOCAL/FURIOUS PHOTOGRAPHERS
photo credit: Furious Photographers
Contact:
Liza de Villa Ameen, AJSOCAL, lameen@ajsocal.org
Elise Freimuth, LACHR & Cassia, elise@rcrestaurants.com
