On October 16, 2025, over 500 leaders from law, philanthropy, business, arts and entertainment joined together in joyous resistance despite a year of ongoing attacks against immigrants at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in DTLA for Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California’s (AJSOCAL) 42nd Anniversary Gala: UNITED IN ACTION: ADVANCE TOGETHER.
The highlight of the night was the official announcement made by AJSOCAL Board Chair Jade Leung–the introduction of the organization’s new CEO, Dahni K. Tsuboi, J.D. Flanked by the organization’s two former leaders Stewart Kwoh and Connie Chung Joe, Tsuboi was welcomed into the AJSOCAL family with resounding cheers.
Dahni Tsuboi remarked,” The national reckoning our country is experiencing immigration rights and racial justice has fully reignited my calling for social justice. My experience in the nonprofit sector with civil rights, direct services, charitable and philanthropic organizations, has prepared me to meet this moment. There is no AAPI-focused organization in the country more impactful than AJSOCAL. I am truly honored to serve as the next CEO.”
Her leadership will begin February 2026.
Former Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor and former AJSOCAL Litigation Director Julie Su acknowledged the survivors of the Thai Garment Workers case Bureerong v. Uvawas who were present to celebrate 30 years since the groundbreaking ruling that reshaped labor rights in America.
Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders were honored throughout the evening including Paul Chan, a 16-year AJSOCAL Board Member and Managing Partner of Bird Marella who received the Legend Award for his service and championing justice for immigrants and communities of color. LA Councilmember Ysabel Jurado received the Trailblazer Award for being the first openly queer woman serving on the Council. Chien Yu, a 20-year veteran of the Pasadena Fire Department fire engineer received the Joseph Illeto Courage Award for fighting the Eaton Fire and sacrificing his own home to save others.
California Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, who authored the California Safe Haven Act along with AJSOCAL to prohibit ICE from entering our schools–presented the Ileto Courage Award to Chien Yu. His wife, Hon. Kim Yu, a member of the Altadena Town Council, surprised him with heartfelt remarks from the stage.
Aligning with AJSOCAL’s advocacy efforts to bring LGBTQIA+ AAPI interests and voices into the legislative process, Alexander Rodriguez, the publisher of The Los Angeles Blade, presented the Trailblazer Award to LA Councilmember Ysabel Jurado. Jurado has been breaking barriers for AAPIs and redefining leadership at City Hall while creating opportunities where few existed for LGBTQIA+ individuals in Asian American communities.
Philanthropists Carlos and Genevieve Cabanilla spoke about their motivation to support AJSOCAL’s work during times of heightened fear and uncertainty among AAPIs. Throughout the evening, AJSOCAL Board Members Gloria Yip and Mike Eng encouraged guests to actively pledge donations which resulted in the organization meeting its fundraising goal of $1 million.
The evening ended with Brenda Tsay of the Lai Lai Ballroom. As the sister of the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Hero Brandon Tsay, she made remarks about joy as powerful resistance and how during and after hard times, we all need to get up to dance again. She encouraged guests to join her Lai Lai Ballroom dancers on the floor with a live performance by the multi-cultural band Kokoro.
Lai Lai Ballroom dancers and Brenda Tsay’s inspired guests to dance with joy as resistance.
The evening Emceed by journalist David Ono, the gala featured attendees: CA State Assemblymember Mike Fong, journalist Hetty Chang, singer/rapper Alex Reid, artist Audrey Chan, indie rap artist Dan Matthews, rapper/activist Jason Chu, influencer Yoonj Kim, and members of AJSOCAL’s Board, Pro Bono Advisory Council, and Justice Giving Circle.
Long-time supporter as AJSOCAL gala emcee, David Ono, takes a moment before going on stage.
AJSOCAL’s 42nd Anniversary Gala was made possible by our generous sponsors. Find the full list of sponsors here.
PRESENTING
J.T. Tai Foundation
TITLE
Carlo and Genevieve Cabanilla Fund & Bahala Foundation
OFFICIAL MEDIA SPONSOR
Los Angeles Blade
LEGEND
Bird Marella
RUBY
Plum Spring Foundation
U.S. Bank
CO-CHAIR
Cathay Bank
East West Bank
Hon. Mike Eng
JPMorgan Chase
Nielsen Corporation
PAFCO
Southern California Edison
UPS
The Walt Disney Company
PLATINUM
Turbo Charitable Foundation
GOLD
Big Time Affairs
Chung Intervivos Trust
Connie Chung Joe & Jeremy Joe
GloBeam
Harvard Law School Friends of Paul Chan
Health Net
Hon. Stephen Lam
IW Group, Inc.
Jamison Services, Inc.
Kaiser Permanente
Korean American Foundation | Robin-Hwajin Yoon Kim Foundation
Liang Ly LLP
GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT PARTNERS
Bill Tan & Shelly Ushio
SoCal Gas
Sun Family Foundation
Takayesu Family Fund
Walter & Shirley Wang Foundation
SOME ADDITIONAL PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AND DOWNLOAD
Here (photo credit: John Salangsang/Shutterstock) and Here (photo credit: Furious Photographers)
