43rd AJSOCAL Gala to Feature David Ono and Nobuko Miyamoto

Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California is marking its 43rd anniversary with a gala that brings together civil rights leaders, public officials, and artists on Oct. 22 at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The event features a cocktail reception from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., followed by a dinner and program from 6:30 to 9 p.m. under the theme “United in Action: Charging Forward.”

David Ono Emceed Gala Honors Community Leaders at Westin Bonaventure Hotel

ABC 7 news anchor David Ono serves as the master of ceremonies for the evening. The program gathers leaders from civil rights, social justice, public office, business, entertainment, and the arts. Several prominent individuals and organizations receive honors during the anniversary celebration for their contributions to equity and community advocacy.

The Japanese American National Museum and President and CEO Ann Burroughs receive the Legacy in Justice Award. Burroughs has spent more than 25 years advancing racial justice and preserving history, while the museum’s work maintains a crucial role in documenting the Japanese American experience to promote understanding of America’s diversity.

Law Firm and Activists Receive Top Honors for Civil Rights Work

Morrison Foerster accepts the Justice in Action Award as a Pro Bono Champion law firm for its decades of support for AJSOCAL. The firm has contributed hundreds of hours through citizenship workshops, poll monitoring, naturalization assistance, and data security work, alongside representing asylum seekers and detained immigrants.

Peter and Jihee Huh receive the Catalyst for Justice Award for their activism and philanthropy. Inspired by their immigrant parents, they have dedicated their efforts to strengthening civic engagement and supporting underserved communities through leadership roles with AJSOCAL, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Human Rights Watch.

Cecillia Wang, national legal director of the ACLU, takes home the Joseph Ileto Courage Award. The daughter of Taiwanese immigrants, Wang successfully defended birthright citizenship before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2026 and has spent her career challenging mandatory minimum sentences, family separation, and the Muslim ban.

Nobuko Miyamoto Performs at Anniversary Celebration

Songwriter, theater artist, and activist Nobuko Miyamoto provides a performance during the evening program. Miyamoto began her career on Broadway and in Hollywood musicals before joining the Asian American movement and founding Great Leap in 1987, an organization she has used for nearly four decades to bridge cultures through music, dance, and storytelling.

Tickets and event details are available through Janelle Hu at jhu@ajsocal.org or by calling (213) 241-0231.