The original program had been designed to celebrate AANHPI contributors to the U.S., a fitting theme as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary. But the U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran changed that. AAUC Executive Director Ted Fong acknowledged, “We would have been remiss if we conducted this without even talking about the war, because the war sets the stage for a lot of issues, not just globally, but locally.”

Before diving in, Fong asked participants to describe the current global climate in one or two words. The responses came quickly, and they were unsparing: dystopian, dysfunctional, chaotic, divisive, disappointment, uncertain, and crazy times.

Why Are We at War?

Jack Hanna, a retired attorney, AAUC’s vice president, and a man of Arab American heritage, gave the sharpest legal framing to the war discussion. Drawing directly on the Constitution, he noted that the power to declare war rests with Congress, and that this foundational check had once again been bypassed. “This is an erosion of what the intent of the founders of our country established,” Hanna said, “in order to prevent ambitious, improper military actions against foreign countries, which is what I think we have exactly here today.”

He went further, questioning not just the legality of the war but its strategic coherence. “The reasons for the war are changing moment by moment,” he said. “Is it because of ballistic missiles? Is it because of suppression of civil rights of the Iranian people? Does it have to do with nuclear materials? Is it regime change? This is a reflection of a government that’s making it up on the spur of the moment.”

Voices from the Community

The discussion that followed was wide-ranging and deeply personal.

Benny Lee, a veteran of local politics, reflected on the collapse of the political center and what it has cost the country. “When I got into politics, there was always 20 percent on the left, 20 percent on the right, and 60 percent in the middle, and that has eroded significantly,” he said. Where that middle once held, he argued, the country has drifted toward the extremes, making the kind of deliberate, consensus-driven governance the founders envisioned increasingly difficult to achieve. “We’ve taken three steps forward and four steps back.” Lee returned, as Hanna had, to the Constitution, “It begins with ‘We the People,’ and it’s no longer about the people.”

Sing Lo, who has lived in the United States for 60 years, was succinct and cutting: “I’m not too sure it’s the country that I knew when I was here 60 years ago.”

Kim Sin, a leader in the Cambodian community in Rochester, Minnesota, said the war in Iran has already driven up gas prices and everyday costs, hitting Asian American seniors on fixed incomes especially hard. The federal freeze on Medicare and Medicaid programs has cut off services for the elderly and people with disabilities, with no clear end in sight. “There’s money for war,” he said, “but there’s no money for the people living in the U.S.” Kim also explained why Cambodian and Laotian Americans are often less vocal about advocating for themselves. “In Cambodia, it was the Khmer Rouge. Anything you say or anything you do, they’ll execute you. So, they learned to be silent.” That silence, he made clear, is a generational wound and one the community is now working to overcome.

Fong connected with Sin’s comments by saying he had just returned from the Southeast Asian Freedom Network’s Uniti Fest in Sacramento, held on the 50th anniversary of the end of the War in Southeast Asia. “Most of the attendees were young Hmong, Cambodian, and Laotians who were still deal with their families’ escape from these countries. “The thing that you heard was, ‘We escaped the very thing that’s happening to us now. Our families came to a country with a dream that seems to be forsaken.’”

Carla Mays, from #SmartCohort based in California, drew a sharp contrast between U.S. policy priorities and those of Asian nations like Singapore, Japan, and China. “We’re so distracted by our old way of doing things,” she said. “In Asia, there’s always talk about healthcare, housing, transport — investments that keep people alive. Here, those things aren’t important.” She warned that the current administration’s budget priorities would shred an already thin safety net.

Marsha Golangco, who immigrated from Hong Kong decades ago, reflected on a sense of national fragmentation. “Each of us has our freedoms including, our own opinions. But as a people, we are not together,” she said. “I call it a decline of the American empire. It’s not well.”

Hedy Tripp, joining from St. Cloud, Minnesota, offered a reminder of Iran’s ancient civilization and its deep global ties. “Persia is an ancient, ancient civilization,” she said. “Persians and Mediterranean, African communities have all been trading and connecting themselves all over the world, including Asia. We have ties to Iran, globally as well.” She also raised a pointed question: how do we shift America’s narrative to treat people, not weapons systems, as the nation’s primary asset?

Fong added his own blunt perspective, “I just don’t see, given our historical record, how we can bomb other countries into democracy. We failed to do that in Vietnam, Afghanistan and in many other places.”

Champions of Democracy, The AANHPI Legacy

With the weight of the present firmly established, the town hall pivoted to its core program: a review of AANHPI figures who have upheld democracy, rule of law, and governance, from the 19th century to today.

Jack Hanna led with Wong Kim Ark, the San Francisco-born man whose late 19th-century legal battle established the constitutional right to birthright citizenship. The case is newly urgent. President Trump’s executive order challenging birthright citizenship is set for Supreme Court argument on April 1st, with a decision expected by late June. “Tens of millions of immigrants since then have birthright citizenship for their children who were born here,” Hanna noted, adding that despite winning his case, Wong Kim Ark was continuously harassed, and his son was deported years later. “The remnants of prejudice continued.”

Hanna then profiled Fred Korematsu, who in 1942 refused to comply with the executive order incarcerating 120,000 Japanese Americans, was arrested, and fought his case all the way to the Supreme Court and lost, in one of the worst decisions in American judicial history. Decades later, newly discovered military records proved the government had concealed evidence that Japanese Americans posed no security threat. In the early 1980s, Korematsu reopened his case, won, and successfully advocated for reparations. “Now we see that detention camps are already being reconstructed,” Hanna observed. “Fred Korematsu’s legacy is impacting us today.”

Hanna also honored Corky Lee, the self-taught New York photographer who for 50 years documented Asian American communities without profit or fanfare, often borrowing cameras to get the job done. “We must document what’s happening,” Hanna said. “We have to show and expose when wrong and improper actions are being committed. His work is a pathway to protecting ourselves and our communities going into the future.”

Fong spotlighted Kaohly Her, the newly inaugurated mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota, born in a bamboo hut in Laos, raised as part of the Hmong diaspora created by U.S. military operations, and thrust into the national spotlight just three days after taking office when the first ICE-related killing occurred in her city. As she took to the national stage, her response was swift and steady. She passed ordinances prohibiting ICE activity on city property and required masked law enforcement to identify themselves. “Her family described her as a protector, tough, and one who never took crap from anybody.” In person, however, people report that she is cordial. “Her temperament is perfect for a job like that,” Fong said. “She is a good example to all immigrants that they can have a place at the table.”

Hanna reserved some of his deepest admiration for civil rights activist and author Helen Zia, who spoke at the AAUC’s national summit last summer and whose decades of advocacy span virtually every major social justice movement of the modern era. Her activism began at Princeton in the late 1960s, where she was among the first women admitted, connecting immediately with Black and Latino communities and opposing the Vietnam War. In the early 1980s she organized the country around the unlawful killing of autoworker Vincent Chin. He said, “Her coalition-building across communities of color established a model of solidarity that continues to define how AANHPI communities respond to injustice, discrimination, and hate.”

The program also covered Texas State Representative Gene Wu, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, Congressman Ted Lieu, John C. Yang of AAJC, and Karthick Ramakrishnan of AAPI Data.

SK Lo’s Closing Word

AAUC Board Chair Dr. SK Lo was given the final word.

“The town hall reminds us of a very simple but powerful truth,” Lo said. “Asian Americans have always played a very essential role in safeguarding the nation and strengthening democracy, especially in times of conflict and uncertainty. Our community has served and led and sacrificed, even when our contributions are overlooked and our loyalty is questioned.”
She called the current moment “a redefining time,” and issued a direct call to action: “We should not be a silent minority. We are a vibrant, engaged, and essential part of America’s story. Our voice matters more than ever. Together, we need to lead, to serve, and to stand for the values that define this country.”

The AAUC will hold its next town hall on April 16, 2026. AAUC’s 2026 Unity Summit, “From Crisis to Coalition: Lessons from the Front Lines,” is scheduled for June 27–28 in Minneapolis, with community visits to Hmong, Latino, and Somali leaders on day one, and presentations and networking at the University of Minnesota Alumni Center on day two. Visit the event page.

SEAFN UNITI Fest was a three-day retreat held March 10–12, 2026, at the Jose Rizal Community Center in Sacramento. More than 100 community leaders, organizers, artists, and advocates attended from across the United States, representing Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, and Vietnamese communities. Many came from small, grassroots organizations that had never before been in the same room together. They were welcome by Co-Executive Directors of SEAFN, Chhaya Chhoum and Pheng Thao.

UNITI stands for “Unite, Nourish, Inspire, Transform, and Ignite.” The event was organized by SEAFN, the Southeast Asian Freedom Network. The agenda covered many topics including movement strategy, gender justice, and creating “healing space” for people grappling with their family’s journey to American and now doing frontline community work. An outdoor screening of “Taking Root,” a documentary series about Southeast Asian refugee communities rebuilding in America, capped one of the evenings.

The timing of UNITI Fest marked the 50th year anniversary of the end of the Wars in Southeast Asia. The fall of Saigon, the end of the Khmer Rouge’s rise to power, and the conclusion of the Secret War in Laos are conflicts that displaced millions and sent waves of refugees to the United States. SEAFN framed the anniversary as a strategic inflection point for the attendees.

Who Came and Why Sacramento

Attendees traveled from Maine, Florida, Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and California. Most represented organizations less than five years old.

Chhaya Chhoum said the Sacramento location was chosen in part because of what she and a colleague heard while touring the Central Valley ahead of the event. “When we were having conversations with folks in the Central Valley, particularly in Sacramento, Southeast Asian organizations who were saying, ‘This is the first time we’re in a room with each other,'” Chhoum said. “So, for us, it was an opening, an opportunity, an invitation to come to Sacramento.”

Chhoum said the goal of the gathering was not to respond to immediate crises like deportation fights, immigration enforcement, daily political pressures, but to step back from them.” All of our folks are urgently surviving, making decisions around who do we fight for around deportation, detention, all that stuff,” she said. “We really want to curate a space that allowed for people to dream and imagine what the next 50 years and beyond look like to Southeast Asian people in this country.”

Inside the Sessions

The program was built around sessions that moved from reflection to action The opening session, “Many Struggles, One Fight,” brought together speakers to discuss what connects communities whose histories (Cambodian genocide, the Vietnam War, the Laotian Secret War) are distinct but intertwined. Another session, “From Silos to Systems,” had attendees map their organizational ecosystems by region and affinity group, identifying gaps, overlaps, and potential collaborators.

The most discussed session was “The Horizon,” facilitated by Emil Sao of Collective Acceleration, a learning community focused on long-term systems change. Sao asked participants to envision what Southeast Asian communities would look like not in five or ten years, but seven generations, or roughly 150 years, into the future.

The exercise, he acknowledged, runs counter to how most advocacy organizations operate. “We’re so focused on reactivity and triage and thinking about what we need right now,” Sao said. “Actually, the best way to move towards a thriving world is to envision and strategize much further beyond.”

He pushed participants toward specificity, away from policy abstractions. Instead of “food sovereignty,” he asked: what does it mean to farm the exact seeds you want, in the garden you want? The framing came from indigenous traditions, he noted. Seven generations is a timeframe used by many indigenous cultures worldwide as a planning horizon.

Another session was “The Future Is Ours,” used a rotating chair format to let attendees share what they were taking away and what actions they intended to take.

What Young People Said They Were Fighting For

A notable feature of the gathering was the number of young attendees, people in their 20s and early 30s who are a generation or more removed from the refugee experience but still navigating its consequences. Chhoum said a clear theme emerged when she asked young participants what they were fighting for.

“They’re fighting for belonging,” she said. “And they’re fighting for the accountability of the harm that was caused to their parents and their grandparents. Part of belonging is also understanding how you got here, how your people got here, how your family survived.”

TK Le, SEAFN’s Communications Coordinator, said the question of whether young Southeast Asians are focused on their own present-day struggles or their parents’ and grandparents’ histories may be a false choice. “We’re always all looking to the past, the present, and the future all at the same time,” Le said. “The past never goes away — the genocides, the wars, the immigration. We carry all that with us.”

Le pointed to a hand-lettered piece on the event’s community quilt wall, a collaborative art installation where attendees contributed writing and images throughout the weekend. The text read: “We struggle from different forms of colonial violence imposed by the same colonial capitalist hands. The system cannot protect you from violence. We protect us.”

“Our oppressions are related,” Le said. “We have to remind ourselves that our liberations are also connected.”

What Attendees Envisioned

The written reflections produced during the Horizon session formed a sprawling, unfiltered record of what participants said they were working toward. Taken together, they described a world without borders, a criminal justice system replaced by community-based accountability, free and universal healthcare, multilingual education, rights for ecosystems, queer Southeast Asian people living openly and safely, and an end to billionaire wealth accumulation.

The writing was sometimes lyrical, sometimes blunt. One participant described the work ahead this way: “I see horizon work as us, in a boat, on the shore of collapse, making the decision that we have a direction of where we want to go. We have some, not all, of the supplies. But despite that uncertainty, we move towards the horizon.”

Another wrote: “There are people not yet born, or even a concept yet, who will experience turmoil, strife, struggle that may not even exist in this world yet, who I am dedicating my life, my time on Earth to.”

What Organizers Said They Wanted Attendees to Take Home

SEAFN’s stated goals for the gathering included building a shared policy and advocacy platform across racial, gender, and economic justice lines, and strengthening collaboration among Southeast Asian organizations that have historically operated independently of one another.

Chhoum was direct about her expectations for what happens after people leave Sacramento. “We hope they continue to do community work,” she said. “Doesn’t have to be through a nonprofit. They can become farmers, healers, business people, social media influencers. But that they do it all towards this horizon that we create collectively together, that wherever they are, they do all of their work towards that horizon.”

Many Asian Americans are feeling the weight of today’s global conflicts, especially with the war in Iran. The news is painful and the uncertainty is real, leaving us searching for clarity and a sense of grounding.

At moments like this, it becomes even more important to remember who we are as a community and the role we have played and continue to play in shaping America’s values, resilience, and moral leadership.

That is why we invite you to join us and reflect on Asian American contributions to the United States as we approach the nation’s 250th anniversary. This is not a distraction from current events. It is a reminder that our communities have:

• Strengthened America’s culture, democracy, and civic life
• We have helped guide the nation through past crises
• Served honorably in our nation’s defense

During the town hall, Jack Hanna and Ted Fong will talk about people who are currently involved in shaping the country’s response to today’s challenges. We’ll show how Asian Americans have always been part of America’s renewal, especially in moments of turmoil. We invite you to join the conversation. Your voice matters.

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin – Connecticut Chapter (GOPIO-CT) successfully hosted its annual “Youth and Young Professionals Luncheon and Networking Event,” a highly engaging and informative program designed to support high school and college students as they prepare for academic, professional, and personal transitions. Held on Tuesday, December 24, 2025, at Hampton Inn and Suites in Stamford, the event featured a dynamic panel discussion titled “College and Beyond,” bringing real-world insights to students and families.

The event showcased an impressive lineup of college students, recent graduates, and seasoned professionals who offered practical guidance, shared personal experiences, and addressed student questions about college life, academic preparation, career development, and navigating early professional pathways.

The event’s sponsor, LCR Capital Partners Founder and Executive Chairman Suresh Rajan, delivered motivational remarks, highlighting the value of networking as a lifelong asset.

Preparing Students for Success – The program aimed to demystify the college admissions process, highlight the realities of university life, and provide strategies for academic success and professional growth. Panelists offered perspectives from leading universities and industries, helping students better understand how to make informed decisions and build a strong foundation for future careers.

Panel and Program Highlights – The discussion was moderated by Mrs. Subha Pandalai, Head of IT at J.M. Wright Technical High School, Stamford. Panelists included:

• Amika Chavan — Freshman, University of Maryland, College Park
• Nitish Gannu — Sophomore, Cornell University
• Aryan Wadhwa — Junior, Purdue University
• Brian Thomas — Junior, NYU Stern School of Business
• Jay Rathod — Senior, University of Connecticut
• Vedant Gannu — Master’s Program, Columbia University; Professional at Google, California
• Sandesh Gawande — CEO, ICEDQ.AI, Stamford, CT
• Mirat Joshi — Director and Global Strategic & Regulatory Initiatives Leader at Citibank; GOPIO-CT Secretary

This year, JACL is pleased to offer the opportunity for those interested to submit a session proposal. Please note that most, if not all, sessions will take place on Friday, July 31. Each session will last 75 minutes, and proposals that are accepted will be entitled to the following compensation if accepted.

Each session will receive a stipend (amount to be confirmed) along with one night’s hotel stay for each presenter.
All session presenters will receive a Day Pass for the day during which their session takes place; this will grant access to plenaries, workshops, and any other content-based programming. The Day Pass will also include a complimentary breakfast.

Any presenters who would like to attend the Awards Luncheon and Sayonara Gala may purchase tickets at the registration link (to be made available in February 2026).

Deadlines

• January 16, 2026: Submit your application via this Google form
• February 6, 2026: Receive update on status of application from convention planning team (including date and time of session, if accepted)
• February 17, 2026: Confirm session participation
• April 30, 2026: Finalize session title, description, speakers; submit speaker headshots, bios to convention planning team
• May 22, 2026: Schedule session prep call with convention planning team
• July 17: Finalize session, including submitting materials to convention planning team; host prep call
  Please reach out to convention@jacl.org with any questions.

SUBMIT YOUR PROPOSAL HERE

On Tuesday, September 16, leaders, advocates, and community members from around the country met in Washington, D.C., for the 2025 AANHPI Unity Summit. Hosted by the Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC), the two-day event brought together Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities to celebrate identity, culture, and civic power.

Dr. SK Lo, Founding President and Board Chair of AAUC, opened the Summit with a message of pride and gratitude, acknowledging the significance of the moment and the collective energy in the room. The opening ceremony featured an enthusiastic recognition of the Summit’s co-hosting organizations, including Asian Culture and Education USA, Asian Pacific American Public Affairs, Coalition of Asian American Leaders of MN, Hindu American Foundation, Muslim Educational Trust of Portland, Overseas Chinese Americans of Sacramento, Polynesian Association of Alaska, South Asian Women Network, SEWA–Asian Indian Family Wellness of MN, and Vietnamese Social Services of MN. Their financial support and dedication were met with a resounding applause.

The AAUC Board of Governors was also honored for its ongoing leadership and commitment. Board members such as Angela Anand, Yen Marshall, Jack Hanna, Jan Xie, Marsha Golangco, Lucy Hansen, Wajdi Said, and Mie Mie Strickler were recognized alongside key members of the Summit Planning Committee, including Ramya Ramakrishnan, Anjuli Cameron, ThaoMee Xiong, and Summit Manager Ted Fong. Volunteers, friends, and family members who supported the event were invited to stand and be celebrated, reinforcing the communal spirit that defined the Summit.

The first day centered around exploring identity, culture, and community power. Attendees reflected on AANHPI contributions to U.S. progress and democracy, examined policies that shape lived experiences, and engaged in a session focused on mental health and collective well-being. A keynote address by civil rights icon Helen Zia and the launch of the AAPI Hub and News Portal inspired and equipped participants with new tools for advocacy.

The second day of the Summit shifted to action, as attendees headed to Capitol Hill for a day of civic engagement. Delegates received training from leaders like Texas State Representative Gene Wu and met with congressional offices to advocate for policies that support AANHPI communities.

Throughout the event, participants were encouraged to connect, learn, and lead. The Summit was designed not only to inform but to mobilize, a space where personal stories and shared goals converged into a powerful force for change.

As the Summit officially began with a cultural blessing and a video message from former presidential candidate Andrew Yang, the tone was set for two days of unity, empowerment, and transformation. The 2025 AANHPI Unity Summit was more than a conference. It was a testament to the strength and solidarity of a diverse and dynamic community.

Watch recordings of Unity Summit sessions.

📅 Tuesday, October 21, 2025
🕛 12pm PST PST / 3 PM EST

Register here.

Hosted by AAPIVote, AAJC, AAPI Data, and NCAPA.

Welcome to Washington, D.C.

As Co-chairs of the 2025 Unity Summit, we are honored to welcome you to our nation’s capital for a gathering that promises inspiration, connection, and action. This annual convening is a vital space for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities to engage in dialogue, advocacy, and celebration.

This year’s program explores civil and economic rights, religious freedom, civic participation, cultural identity, mental health, and community mobilization. We’ll also examine the impact of recent executive orders and prepare for the 2026 national elections. Expect multicultural performances, advocacy training, and direct engagement with Members of Congress on AANHPI priorities.

Debuting AAUC’s HUB & News Portal

We’re proud to introduce two signature resources:

• AAUC’s HUB: A comprehensive marketplace for Asian American data and statistics, designed to empower researchers, advocates, and policymakers.
• Asian American News Portal: A weekly curated digest spotlighting stories across the diaspora, amplifying grassroots voices and timely updates.

These tools support AAUC’s role in elevating AANHPI narratives during the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, embedding our communities into the national story.

Celebrating Our Honorees

We proudly recognize:

• President’s Award for Young AAPI: Oorja Manot
• President’s Special Award for Youth: Akhil Venkatesh & Adam Zhang
• Outstanding Community Service: Mukta Bain, Dr. Junzhou Huang, and the Vietnamese Social Services of MN
• Norman Mineta Award for Public Service: Ambassador M. Osman Siddique
• Dalip Singh Saund Award for Political Leadership: Rep. Gene Wu
• Philanthropist of the Year: Dr. Ellen Qiong Schicktanz & Dr. Surinder Sehgal

Their leadership and service reflect the heart of our movement. Read more about our awardees.

Voices That Inspire

This year’s speakers include nationally recognized leaders: Helen Zia, Anil Sharma, Sandy Chau, KaYing Yang, Cindy Tsai, Haipei Shue, Quyen Dinh, Dr. James Zogby, and Texas State Rep. Gene Wu.

We hope this Summit informs your work, strengthens your resolve, and deepens your sense of belonging. Thank you for joining us in building Unity across our AANHPI communities.

Panel Discussion: AANHPI Contributions

On Tuesday, September 16, 2025, the Asian American Unity Coalition will host a panel discussion focused on the contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities to the progress and democratic values of the United States. The panel will feature three distinguished speakers: Cindy Tsai, a Civil Rights attorney representing the Chinese community; Wajdi Said of the Muslim Education Trust representing Arab Americans; and Rohit Tripathi, an Indian diaspora professional involved in business, education, and global policy. Angela Anand, an activist and president of AAUC, will moderate the event.

Guaranteed Rights and Progress

Both the United States and India enshrine fundamental rights in their constitutions, including freedom of speech, expression, assembly, and religion, as well as the right to equality before the law, the right to vote, and protection from arbitrary deprivation of life and liberty. These constitutional guarantees have enabled significant progress for their people, with immigrant communities finding peace and prosperity.

Democratic Values and Our Communities Perspectives

Democratic values are widely regarded as key indicators of societal advancement. The panelists will share perspectives from their respective communities, examining progress and democratic principles through the unique prism of their cultural experiences. India’s relationship with United States has been substantive. Both nations have enjoyed bi-lateral trade and strategic partnerships in science, technology, and defense and contributions of the Indian American community to build this relationship has been critical and will continue to grow with the time. China has also been a trade partner of the United States of America and Americans have enjoyed the benefit of products that are competitively less expensive.

We do acknowledge that progress is uneven, and people achieve different levels of success in society, politics, and the economy. A well-known figure once said that a nation cannot achieve greatness if its people are narrow-minded. As citizens of leading democracies, we strive to promote peace and support efforts toward freedom and democracy around the world.

We are pleased to present this year’s award winners at the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, D.C., on September 17, 2025, as part of the 2025 Unity Summit.

Dalip Singh Saund Award for Political Involvement

Representative Gene Wu

Gene Wu is a member of the Texas House of Representatives and the Chair of the Democratic Caucus.  He distinguished himself as a fearless advocate for civil rights, leading the fight against gerrymandering, which disadvantages communities of color in Texas. He also led the opposition of SB17, which bans Chinese nationals from owning or leasing land in Texas. He argued that this bill sends an anti-immigrant message that hurts Asian individuals and businesses. Gene Wu was born in Guangzhou, China, and shortly after immigrated to Odessa and later moved to Houston with his family. In an interview with Take Texas Podcast, he said, “I have been dealing with racist comments from the public and from members for the entirety of my seven terms.” Nonetheless, he forges on. Representative Wu serves as a powerful example for the AANHPI community. His leadership demonstrates that representation is not just about visibility, it’s about action, voice, and impact. Through his work, he has inspired a new generation of AANHPI leaders to engage in civic life and advocate for the communities they serve. With a deep commitment to justice and an unshakable belief in the power of democracy, Gene Wu exemplifies the values that AAUC holds dear. It is our great privilege to present him with this award in recognition of his political leadership, his principled stand against voter suppression, and the enduring example he sets for all who strive to make a difference.

Norman Mineta Award for Public Service

Ambassador M. Osman Siddique

Ambassador M. Osman Siddique is a distinguished American diplomat, politician, entrepreneur, and author, who served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Fiji, the Republic of Nauru, and to the Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu from 1999 to 2001, making history as the first American Muslim and first American of South Asian to be appointed to represent the United States abroad as an Ambassador and Chief of Mission. Following the Fijian paramilitary coup in 2000, Ambassador Siddique played a critical role in the restoration of democracy and the rehabilitation of the country. For the past 25 years, he has been a strategic advisor to Fortune 500 companies, multilateral organizations, international firms, and foreign governments. In 2024, he was appointed by President Biden to serve on the United States National Security Education Board. In his memoir, Leaps of Faith: An Immigrant’s Odyssey of Struggle, Success, and Service to His Country, Ambassador Siddique recounts his transformative journey from East Pakistan to becoming an entrepreneur and an ambassador. The foreword, written by President Bill Clinton, praises Siddique’s leadership and faith. Ambassador Siddique earned his MBA from Indiana University Bloomington.

President’s Award for Young Asian/Pacific Islander American

Oorja Munot

Inspired by her experiences of living in India, Belgium, and the United States, Oorja Munot founded Equality Through Education (ETE), a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to addressing global educational inequities. A rising senior at Richard Montgomery High School in Maryland, Oorja has led ETE’s growth to over 1,000 volunteers across 35 chapters, raising $15,000 and impacting more than 20,000 students by building SMART classrooms and developing a soft-skills app. She also serves on the PERIOD Youth Advisory Council, where she supports a global nonprofit combating period poverty, and leads county-wide initiatives as President of the Asian American Progressive Student Union to fight racial injustice. Oorja hopes to pursue business, policy and economics in the future to drive social change and deepen her impact on communities around the world.

President’s Special Award for Youth

Akhil Venkatesh

Akhil Venkatesh is a 17-year-old senior at Dublin High School, CA. As a 2025 APAPA intern working with Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert, Akhil identified a critical gap in financial literacy education for teens. In response, he developed a teen-focused financial literacy curriculum which is now featured on the Alameda County website. His presentation had previously won the 2024 CNBC Junior Achievement Award and his upcoming book, Financial Literacy for Teens by a Teen, reflects his mission to empower his peers with lifelong skills. Akhil has logged over 300 volunteer hours to help the homeless and other vulnerable populations with organizations like SEWA International and Open Heart Kitchen. For this, he earned the prestigious Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award signed by President Biden. Akhil’s CPR certification skills were utilized to help save a victim who was choking and had stopped breathing. By his quick thinking and performing the Heimlich maneuver, he sprung into action and helped dislodge the blockage in the airway and restore breathing. Akhil has co-produced podcasts on AAPI identity, is a nationally recognized youth cricket athlete and also a STEM advocate. Akhil Venkatesh is a shining example of youth excellence. AAUC is honored to recognize him with this award.

Adam Zhang

Adam Zhang is a distinguished student at St. Mark’s School of Texas, an institution consistently ranked among the top private schools in the nation. He is a multifaceted leader with a strong commitment to social impact through the arts and education. His notable achievements include Founder & President of the ACAESUSA Youth CMC Chapter and host of its Youth Ambassadors Pageant, internationally recognized pianist, winning 1st Place in the Carmel Klavier (2023 and 2025) and Charleston International (2024) competitions, Grammy Award winner as a member of the Phoenix Boys Choir, National Gold Medalist in the Scholastic Art & Writing Competition for Photography, AIME Qualifier and Top 5 finisher in Texas Mathcounts, NLE & NGE Gold Medalist (Summa Cum Laude), 1st & 2nd Place winner in State JCL Certamen, and recipient of the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (Gold) for over 275 hours of service. Adam also applies his leadership as Design Director for an award-winning literary magazine, as a Junior Varsity water polo athlete, and as the co-owner of a successful Minecraft server.

Asian American Philanthropist of the Year

Dr. Surinder M. Sehgal

Dr. Surinder M. Sehgal is an Indian‑American crop scientist turned philanthropist, renowned for his pioneering work in the global hybrid seed industry and his transformative rural development efforts in India. He earned his B.S. and Master’s degrees in botany from Punjab University before moving to the United States in 1959. He completed his Ph.D. in plant genetics at Harvard University in 1963. In 1988, together with his wife, Edda Sehgal, he founded the Proagro Group of seed companies in India, which ultimately became part of Bayer. Later, he launched Hytech Seed India in Hyderabad. Following the sale of their seed businesses, the Sehgals founded two nonprofit philanthropies: the Sehgal Foundation in the US in 1998 and SM Sehgal Foundation in India in 1999. Today, these organizations are dedicated to water security, food security, social justice, women’s empowerment, sustainable agriculture, and community-led rural governance. Dr. Sehgal’s philanthropic leadership has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Dr. M. S. Swaminathan Award for Leadership in Agriculture in 2022 and the American India Foundation’s Leadership in Philanthropy Award in 2011. Through decades of seed science innovation and sustained, community-led rural development, Dr. Surinder Sehgal exemplifies the power of combining expertise with compassion to create long-lasting social impact.

Dr. Ellen Qiong Schicktanz

Dr. Ellen Qiong Schicktanz is a celebrated Chinese American artist, sculptor, painter, scholar, and cultural diplomat whose body of work bridges continents, mediums, and histories. Born in China and educated in China and Japan, she earned a doctorate in literature and art history. Among her most iconic projects are the two monumental bronze reliefs, “Washington Crossing the Delaware” and “Signing of the Declaration of Independence,” which she donated to the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. These works are permanently installed near Independence Hall and were unveiled by President Biden in 2017. Beyond her artistic donations, Dr. Schicktanz philanthropically invests her time, leadership, and voice. She leverages her platforms as Director of the Goddess Art Museum, Vice Chair of the Rodin International Artists Foundation, and Chair of the World Alliance of Asian Women to champion marginalized communities. Her advocacy at the United Nations for women entrepreneurs and autistic children demonstrates a deep-seated commitment to philanthropic action that seeks to heal, empower, and create a more equitable world.

Outstanding Community Service Award

Mukta Bain

Mukta Bain’s story begins in Bangladesh in a village where clean water, access to education, and basic healthcare were scarce. At just eight years old, her aunt adopted her and brought her to the United States to pursue a better future. Today, Mukta is a health policy analyst at the Maryland Department of Health. One of her most significant contributions was to provide testimony for Maryland’s Young Adult Health Insurance Subsidies Pilot Program, which has helped over 64,000 Marylanders access health insurance, reducing disparities in coverage by age, race, and ethnicity. Her work with the Maryland Health Care for All! Coalition, the Maryland Public Health Association, and numerous grassroots efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic further reflect her leadership and service. She’s met with Presidents Obama and Biden, not as a photo op, but as a policy voice invited to the table. Mukta is also the founder of A Voice for a Village in Bangladesh, a nonprofit she established to directly address the challenges of her birth community, including access to clean drinking water and educating girls to prevent child marriage. She is a Senior Delegate for Youth for Human Rights International at the United Nations representing Bangladesh two years in a row at the UN Headquarters in NYC. Mukta has a Master’s degree in healthcare administration and is pursuing a PhD in public health. 

Dr. Junzhou Huang

Dr. Junzhou Huang from the University of Texas at Arlington is a distinguished scholar and community leader known for his commitment to mentorship and diversity. He recently received a significant $3.1 million NIH grant to employ AI in speeding up antibody design critical for rapid drug development and pandemic response efforts. Dr. Huang has significantly advanced opportunities for AAPI and underrepresented students in STEM while strengthening cultural and educational ties within the community. Dr. Huang has mentored over 50 graduate students and numerous undergraduates, many of whom hold leadership roles at top tech firms, including Google, Amazon, NVIDIA, and Facebook. He advised more than 10 female Ph.D. students and multiple female undergraduate researchers, actively promoting gender diversity in STEM. Dr. Huang is on the Advisory Board of Asian Culture and Education Society USA and sits on the Board of Directors of the  Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention Society. He is also an organizer for the annual Summer Camps for Middle School Girls, designed to close the gender gap in tech.

Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota

Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota was founded in 1987 to serve Minnesota’s growing Vietnamese community. Today, it is led by Executive Director Hue Pham and provides a wide range of social services to broader communities, including immigrants from Burma, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Each year, VSS of Minnesota reaches more than 12,000 participants with culturally sensitive programs, including English language training, adult basic education, financial guidance, and health education. They also excel at helping newcomers obtain IDs, apply for housing, navigate social services, and access medical assistance. AAUC is honoring the Vietnamese Social Services of Minnesota for its distinguished service in providing holistic, culturally anchored support to immigrant and refugee communities. Their long-standing reputation and adaptability continue to make them a critical resource for new Americans.