- Supervisor Solis honored 10 leaders during the event for their contributions to uplifting AAPI communities.
Los Angeles Cal. May 10,2024 — Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and the LA County Asian American Employees Association co-hosted a reception commemorating “Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.” Supervisor Solis honored 10 leaders during the event for their contributions to uplifting AAPI communities.
“As the Supervisor with the largest concentration of AAPI residents, I was proud to lead a motion to proclaim May as AAPI Heritage Month throughout Los Angeles County last month. This annual celebration is critical to preserving culture. To that end, I am grateful to have co-hosted a reception, with the LA County Asian American Employees Association, that commemorates the diversity and uniqueness that make up the fabric of our beloved County,” said Supervisor Solis.
Almost 1.5 million residents of AAPI descent call Los Angeles County home, and the County takes pride in having many AAPI communities represented through ethnic enclaves. Chinatown, Little Tokyo, Historic Filipinotown, Thai Town, Little Bangladesh, Koreatown; the cities in the San Gabriel Valley and South Bay; and unincorporated areas including Rowland Heights and Hacienda Heights in which AAPI residents have thrived in Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles County is also proud to have a large contingent of AAPI employees who contribute and service the great needs of our residents, many of whom deliver information and resources in a culturally competent and linguistically inclusive manner.
“We extend our deepest appreciation to Supervisor Hilda L. Solis for her unwavering commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within Los Angeles County. Her celebration of AAPI Heritage Month serves as an inspiration to us all. Together, we elevate, educate, and empower our community,” said Eddie Yen, President of the Los Angeles County Asian American Employees Association.
“As I reflect on AAPI Heritage Month, I’m deeply moved to express my heartfelt gratitude to Supervisor Hilda Solis. Her unwavering support and genuine advocacy for our community have impacted so many lives in profound ways. Supervisor Solis, your leadership has not only empowered us but has also given voice to our stories and struggles. Thank you for standing with the AAPI community today and every day,” said Dara Sounthong Smith, Director of Legal, Exemptions, Assessment & Public Services (LEAPS) with the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office.
The following were recognized during the reception:
- Ahilan Arulanthanam, Professor from Practice and Co-Director, Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA
- Al Ballesteros, CEO and President, JWCH Institute
- Dara Sounthong Smith, Director of Legal, Exemptions, Assessment & Public Services (LEAPS), Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office
- Honorable Akemi Arakaki, Presiding Judge, Juvenile Court
- Honorable Michael K. Woo, first AAPI Councilmember, City of Los Angeles
- Jeffrey Wu, Owner, Fire and Rain
- Johneric Concordia, Chef and Co-Owner, Park’s Finest
- Kristin Fukushima, Managing Director, Little Tokyo Community Council
- Kimmy Maniquis, Executive Director, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans
- Michael Owh, Director, Los Angeles County Internal Service Department
Today’s event was hosted in partnership with the Los Angeles County Asian American Employees Association, the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (Pacific Coast, California Chapter), the Asian Pacific Probation Association, the Employees Club of California, the Filipino-American Law Enforcement Officers Association, Hong Diana Zhao, the Los Angeles County Cambodian Employees Association, the Los Angeles County Filipino- American Employees Association, the Los Angeles County Fire Department Asian Pacific Islander Association, Lei Wang, Zifan “Jake” Xiang, Fancheng “Eric” Kong, and the Los Angeles County Vietnamese Employees Association.
