On October 22, 2026, more than 500 leaders from law, community, philanthropy, business, government, arts and entertainment gathered at The Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites in Downtown Los Angeles for Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California’s (AJSOCAL) 43rd Anniversary Gala: UNITED IN ACTION: CHARGING FORWARD.
Held less than two weeks before the midterm elections, the evening celebrated the individuals and organizations working to protect civil rights, defend democracy and strengthen Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities at a pivotal moment for the nation. Through moving tributes, inspiring stories and a shared commitment to justice, the gala underscored a central message: the work of advancing equality requires all of us to keep moving forward together.
AJSOCAL CEO Dahni Tsuboi, remarked, “Too often, when we talk about civil rights, it’s from a distance as if it’s a moment, a movement of the 60s. But it is now. Our fight may not be at lunch counters. Today, they’re bringing the fight – and the fear that comes with it – to our schools, our neighborhoods, even our courthouses. Our fight may not be about interracial marriage, but it is absolutely about who you love and who you are. Our fight may not be about Exclusion Laws, but it is about whether your language is on the ballot, and whether your community is counted at all. Make no mistake: this is our chapter of the same movement. And it needs people to stand up and show up.”
Honoring Courage, Leadership and a Commitment to Justice
The evening recognized four honorees whose work reflects the many ways a shared commitment protects civil rights and advances justice.
Cecillia Wang, National Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), received the Joseph Ileto Courage Award for her work defending constitutional rights and immigrant communities. ACLU Deputy Executive Director Yasmin Cader presented the award, highlighting Wang’s recent work before the U.S. Supreme Court in Trump v. Barbara, challenging an executive order seeking to end birthright citizenship for U.S.-born children of undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders.
The Japanese American National Museum (JANM) and its President and CEO, Ann Burroughs, received the Legacy in Justice Award for preserving history, elevating marginalized voices and advancing democratic participation. Journalist David Ono, a member of JANM’s Board of Governors, presented the award, recognizing the museum’s roots in the vision of Japanese American veterans and Little Tokyo community leaders who wanted to ensure their history would never be forgotten or rewritten.
Peter and Jihee Huh received the Catalyst for Justice Award in recognition of their longstanding commitment to civic leadership, philanthropy and community engagement. Steve Kang, President and Chief Film Liaison for the City of Los Angeles Board of Public Works, presented the award, remarking on Peter’s decade of service on AJSOCAL’s Board of Directors and Jihee’s involvement on boards of numerous civic and philanthropic organizations, including the California Community Foundation and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The Huhs have built an extensive record of public service supporting education, human rights, children’s health and civic engagement.
Morrison Foerster received the Justice in Action Award for its longstanding pro bono partnership with AJSOCAL, dating back to the organization’s years as the Asian Pacific American Legal Center. Presented by Hon. Bryant Y. Yang, Los Angeles County Superior Court judge, and accepted by Jenna Gilbert, Morrison Foerster’s Immigration Pro Bono Counsel, the award recognized the firm’s critical legal support for AJSOCAL and its clients, particularly as immigrant communities face an increasingly challenging legal and policy landscape.
A Moving Performance Celebrates Asian American Stories
One of the evening’s most memorable moments came from Nobuko Miyamoto, the 86-year-old singer, activist and pioneering figure in the Asian American movement. Her moving performance of “We Are the Children” was a heartfelt reminder that Asian American stories belong in the fabric of this nation. Echoing the message of AJSOCAL’s Asian America the Beautiful initiative, our host, award-winning journalist and storyteller David Ono, reflected on how Asian American communities have helped shape the country’s past and continue to shape its future.
AJSOCAL Board Chair Jade Leung takes the stage to recognize the people behind the work.
During the evening, AJSOCAL Board Chair Jade Leung, Senior Manager of Employee Relations at The Walt Disney Company, praised AJSOCAL’s staff and Tsuboi’s leadership before welcoming the organization’s Board of Directors to the stage. Leung thanked board members for contributing their time, talent and resources to advancing justice for AAPI and immigrant communities.
An Evening of Community and Collective Action
Guests participated in a silent auction hosted by AJSOCAL in collaboration with AmFund, featuring travel packages to destinations around the world, as well as an exciting live auction led by professional auctioneer Dawnmarie Kotsonis. The evening’s fundraising activities help sustain AJSOCAL’s work to ensure AAPI communities have access to the legal resources, protections and opportunities they deserve.
The gala brought together leaders from across government, the judiciary, entertainment and the arts, including U.S. Representative Ted Lieu; California State Assemblymembers Jessica Caloza, Mike Fong, Mark González and Al Muratsuchi; Los Angeles County Superior Court judges; as well as AJSOCAL founder Stewart Kwoh and former CEO Connie Chung Joe. Members of the Ileto family also attended.
The evening was a celebration of 43 years of advancing justice and a reminder that the work continues.
AJSOCAL’s 43rd Anniversary Gala was made possible by the generous support of its sponsors.
View the full list of sponsors here.
PHOTOS ARE AVAILABLE FOR VIEWING AND DOWNLOAD
Here (photo credit: Chad Salvador/Shutterstock) and Here (photo credit: Furious Photographers)
