Honoring community leaders
On Thursday, May 15, the Office of California Assemblymember Ash Kalra held its annual AAPI Heritage Month celebration at Nomikai restaurant in San Jose to recognize AAPI individuals and organizations whose leadership contributes to the well-being of the constituents of California’s 25th Assembly District.
“May not only remind us of the resilience of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community as a collective voice in the American journey, but it is also a time to reflect on the beauty, strength, and unique contributions of each AAPI community,” said Assemblymember Kalra.
“It’s about recognizing our trailblazers, uplifting the voices of our emerging leaders, and supporting our community members who work every day to build a better future.”
Kalra added that he did not lose sight of the fact that just a couple of decades ago, there were very few AAPI elected officials. Assemblymember Ash Kalra is the first AAPI legislator to be appointed Chair of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, a powerful policy committee in the California State Legislature.
”Now we have a few more, which is a good thing, but it also puts an obligation and responsibility for those of us that are in positions of influence, to platform our community, educate others about our community, and to certainly bring a spotlight to others in the community when there’s been a spotlight thrown on me, to divert it to other organizations and people in the community that are so, so deserving.”
The Awards
The Assemblymember presented the Norman Y Mineta Legacy Award to his father, Dr. Satya Paul Kalra, highlighting his academic and community contributions, saying, “He is a tremendous role model on how to live one’s life with dignity in a way that is a shining example for everyone else.”
The 2025 Legacy Awardee was described as the personification of the very best in professional and civic leadership. The resolution also stated that Dr. Satya Kalra’s achievements attest to the positive impact that the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has made within the State of California and throughout the nation.
Eunice Chun received the 2025 Leadership in Community Empowerment Award for her work with Korean American Community Services. The tribute called her a tireless fighter for equity, dignity, and access, and delivering service with care and compassion.
Chun reflected on her experience, saying, “I have the privilege of working with a passionate staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners, who believe every person deserves access to essential services, dignity, and opportunity, regardless of their income or language or immigration status. At a time in which many Korean American and broader immigrant communities continue to face systemic barriers and various challenges, this recognition really reminds us of the importance of standing together in compassion, equit,y and collective action.”
The Asian/Pacific Islander Resource for Excellence Program at Evergreen Valley College ( Aspire) was recognized for its 25-year success in mentoring students with the Leadership in Advocacy Award.
The Aspire team acknowledged their award, sharing that success in the classroom was not enough. “It’s also very important that what they offer folks in terms of all the wraparound services that we don’t often see in academia, because a student who is hungry, a student who is abused, a student who has housing insecurities, is oftentimes not as successful in the academic setting.”
Queenie Tran was recognized for her leadership as a California AAPI Legislative Caucus Honoree in promoting Vietnamese culture through the Miss Vietnam California pageant – a cultural institution that uplifts identity and civic action. “She mentors young women to see themselves as whole, powerful, and capable of leading with both grace and purpose. Her work bridges generations and instills pride in Vietnamese American and AAPI Heritage,” said Kalra.
The Sikh Gurdwara of San Jose was awarded for Leadership in Community Service. Kalra described the Gurdwara community as “an incredible place, not just for faith, but for compassion, food, justice, and interfaith connection. They even have a health clinic there. It’s really a community gathering place.” The Sikh gurdwara in San Jose was founded in 1984, and is the largest Sikh temple outside of India.
Assemblyman Kalra took a moment after the ceremony to reflect on what this gathering represents in what have been incredibly challenging times— from the pandemic to the rise in anti-AAPI hate that accompanied it. “There’s a lot of concern and fear from our immigrant community. I have a lot of members of the AAPI community that have come to me, very concerned by what’s happening – immigration status, healthcare access.”
The ceremony reminded the community that it’s important to take time to celebrate, especially in difficult times, that the people doing incredible work in our community matter – it brings hope and connection.
