In its 13th year, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network presents the... Written by Thy Vo Photos by Brandon Iwamoto
2022 Asian American Heroes of Colorado From left: Deborah Yim, Alyssa Nilemo, Dr. William Wei, Gary Yamashita, Dr. Sumiko Tanaka Hennessy, Mimi Luong Ye, and Joanne Liu Young Hero Award: Alyssa Nilemo • Executive Director, Asian Chamber Foundation of Colorado • Dharma School Superintendent, Denver Buddhist Temple • Mirai Generations Leadership Program Graduate, Sakura Foundation Mimi Luong Ye • Co-owner, Truong An Gifts • Founder, Sweetest Day CO Gary Yamashita • Chief Executive Officer, Sakura Square LLC • Executive Director, Sakura Foundation • Community Grantmaking Committee, Rose Community Foundation Joanne Liu • Co-Founder & CEO, Asian Girls Ignite • Chair, Colorado Asian Pacific United • Commissioner, Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission
Dr. William Wei • State Historian, History Colorado • Boardmember, Colorado Asian Pacific United • History Professor, University of Colorado Deborah Yim • Owner & Managing Attorney, Primera Law Group • President-Elect, Asian Pacific American Bar Association • Commissioner, Denver Immigrant and Refugee Commission • Legal Counsel, Asian Real Estate Association of Greater Denver Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Sumiko Tanaka Hennessy • Founding boardmember and former Executive Director, Asian Pacific Development Center • Co-founder, Asian Chamber of Commerce • Co-founder, Crossroads for Social Work • Former boardmember, Women’s Foundation of Colorado 77 outstanding individuals have received this award since 2009. See past recipients in Asian Avenue’s April 2022 issue.
2022 Asian American Hero of Colorado Awards Ceremony Saturday, May 21, 2022 | 10am to 12pm Happy Living and Wellness Center 14015 E Evans Avenue, Aurora, CO 80014 Tickets: General $40 | Student $30 Table of 8 for $280 Get tickets at: www.cacendenver.org Each year, in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the awards ceremony honors an extraordinary group of local heroes in May. Join us to hear their inspiring stories as we recognize this year’s awardees over a dim sum and sushi brunch. This year’s awardees were selected by: Asian Chamber of Commerce, Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Asian Pacific Development Center, Aurora Asian/Pacific Community Partnership, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network, Colorado Dragon Boat, Community Organizing for Radical Empathy, Sakura Foundation, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, National Association of Asian American Professionals Colorado.
Colorado Heroes | Asian Avenue Magazine
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