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October 1, 2020 - A Free Event

CELEBRATION

CELEBRATION is the premier virtual event to celebrate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

CELEBRATION Overview

Coming on October 1, 2020, APAICS will hold a free and widely attended virtual CELEBRATION to honor individuals and organizations for their contributions to the AAPI community. CELEBRATION will be held in place of our 26th Annual APAICS Awards Gala and will include remarks by members of Congress, community leaders, and include performances and celebrity appearances. Sponsors of CELEBRATION will be showcased as partners in APAICS’ efforts to support AAPI leadership. High level sponsors have the opportunity to provide key remarks during the event.

 

About Our Annual APAICS Awards Gala

The APAICS Annual Awards Gala Dinner is the culmination of our nation’s recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, a celebration of the culture, traditions, history, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. We expect more than 1,000 attendees from across the country, including community, business, and political leaders.

The gala is the largest gathering of Asian American and Pacific Islander elected officials and government appointees at the federal, state, and local levels. Past speakers and awardees at the dinner include President Barack Obama, President Bill Clinton, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary Hillary Clinton, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Senator Mazie Hirono, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, Martha Choe, Deepa Iyer, George Takei, Daniel Dae Kim, and Randall Park, among others.

Honorary Co-Chairs

Congresswoman Grace Meng

Congresswoman Grace Meng

Congresswoman Grace Meng represents the Sixth Congressional District of New York encompassing the New York City borough of Queens. Congresswoman Meng is the first and only Asian American Member of Congress from New York State.
She is a member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittees on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies; Homeland Security; and State and Foreign Operations. She also serves on the House Ethics Committee.

Congressman Andy Kim

Congressman Andy Kim

Congressman Andy Kim represents the Third Congressional District of New Jersey, which stretches from the Delaware River to the Atlantic Ocean encompassing most of Burlington County and parts of Ocean County. Congressman Kim grew up in South Jersey, the proud son of Korean immigrants.
He is a dedicated public servant, who believes service is a way of life. He worked as a career public servant under both Democrats and Republicans, and served at the Pentagon, State Department, the White House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as an advisor to Generals Petraeus and Allen.

Lifetime Achievement Award

George Takei

Lifetime Achievement Award

On October 1, 2020, APAICS will award George Takei the Lifetime Achievement Award at CELEBRATION for his achievements in entertainment as well as for his tireless work in advocating for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and identity. Past awardees include President George H.W. Bush, Senator Mazie K. Hirono, fmr. Rep. Xavier Becerra and fmr. Rep. Michael Honda, among others.

George Takei

Lifetime Achievement Award

Takei is known around the world for his role in the acclaimed original TV series Star Trek, in which he played Hikaru Sulu, helmsman of the starship Enterprise. In addition to his on-screen work, Takei has strong ties to APAICS and has served as the keynote speaker as well as master of ceremonies in past Annual Awards Gala Dinners.
But Takei’s story, which includes an acting career that spans six decades, goes where few have gone before. From a childhood spent with his family wrongfully imprisoned in Japanese American internment camps during World War II to becoming one of the country’s leading figures in the fight for social justice, LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality, Takei remains a powerful voice on issues ranging from politics to pop culture.
Takei is the author of four books, including his autobiography To the Stars. His fifth book, the New York Times bestselling graphic memoir They Called Us Enemy, was released in July 2019.
Takei has served as the spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign’s Coming Out Project and was Cultural Affairs Chairman of the Japanese American Citizens League. He is also Chairman Emeritus and a Trustee of the Japanese American National Museum. He was appointed to the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission by former President Clinton and the government of Japan awarded Takei the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, for his contribution to U.S.-Japanese relations.

CELEBRATION Speakers & Entertainers

Sponsorship Opportunities

Please contact Helen Ruggiero
helen@apaics.org
202-296-9200

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