Leadership. Service. Heroism.

On Sunday, May 21, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network honored the 2023 Asian American Heroes of Colorado at Happy Living Center in Aurora.

In celebration of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the 14th annual awards ceremony recognized outstanding leaders in the Asian American community, who each received an engraved award and congratulatory letter from Governor Polis.

Each awardee was welcomed to the stage by a friend or colleague. Award recipients then each shared words of gratitude to those who have supported them and advice for the younger generations.

This year’s Young Hero Award was given to Brent Sabati, Board Member of Sakura Foundation and Asian Chamber of Commerce, who thanked his parents for their sacrifices that have led to his success.

The other recipients included: Indira Duggirala, Co-Chair of South Asian Democrats of Colorado and First Vice Chair of Colorado Democratic Party; Sara Moore, Executive Director of Colorado Dragon Boat and Board Member of Denver Film; Tran Nguyen-Wills, community leader and founder of Base Coat Nail Salon; Elaine Yang, Committee Co-Chair of Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival and Board Member of Asian Girls Ignite; and Philip

Yun, President of Korean Association of Scholarship Foundation and Chairman of Board of Directors for Colorado Association of Korean Schools.

Yang’s daughter, Elise, accepted the award on her mother’s behalf.

“I want to thank Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network for organizing this wonderful program each year to highlight the leadership of the Asian American Pacific Islander community in Colorado,” said Governor Polis in a video shared at the event.

The event was emceed by FOX31’s Cheryl Hwang and catered by Taku Sushi, Happy Living, Mochinut and Coffee Sarap.

Awardees were selected by: Asian Chamber of Commerce, Asian Girls Ignite, Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Asian Pacific Development Center, Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network, CORE DEI, Sakura Foundation, National Association of Asian American Professionals Colorado. Presented by: Colorado Asian Culture & Education Network.

Community Festivities in May

Since 1990, the US government has designated the month of May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of AAPIs in the US. More recently, the distinction added “Native Hawaiian” to be: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Denver Public Schools

May 7

Asian Education Advisory Council Awards

Recognizing students, teachers, and faculty in DPS

May 6

AAPI+ Heritage Month Celebration at Denver Zoo

Organization booths and performances

AANHPI Denver

Mayoral Forum

Featuring a discussion with mayoral finalists Kelly Brough and Mike Johnston

May 20

May 24

Asian Chamber of Commerce: Mongolian Cultural Experience with performances by Mongolian School of Colorado

Community Self Defense Workshop

Teaching self-defense skills such as boundary setting and de-escalation to the Asian community

May 27

Happy AANHPI Heritage Month... until next year!