RAFU STAFF REPORT
The Los Angeles City Council celebrated Asian American-Native Hawaiian-Pacific Islander Heritage Month during its May 7 meeting.
Following a Chinese lion dance performance, Councilmember John Lee of Council District 12 gave opening remarks on behalf of himself, Councilmembers Nithya Raman of Council District 4 and Ysabel Jurado of Council District 14 as well as new AAPI Caucus member Councilmember Adrin Nazarian of Council District 2.
Speaking as the only Korean American on the council, Lee said he feels “a deep sense of pride and responsibility. Our stories are diverse but they are united by a common thread of resilience, determination and a commitment to building a better future for the next generation.
Each year during AANHPI Heritage Month, the council recognizes individuals “who continue to inspire and lead by example … leaders who are making exceptional contributions not just in their fields but in the lives of others.”
Daniel Tarica, general manager of the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs, introduced the annual Heritage Month Calendar and Cultural Guide and its cover artist, Wakana Kimura.
“It is an honor to have my piece ‘Character’ featured,” Kimura said, describing the piece as “a large-scale, nine-panel painting that reflects my lifelong pursuit of the ‘void’ — the space between people, cultures, and moments — and transforms it into a visible connection.”
Lee said that the honorees he selected are “visionary leaders whose work speaks to the heart of what this month represents — pride in who we are, the strength in our diversity, and the hope for a better future that is shaped by storytelling and empowering our voices and experiences.”
The first CD12 honoree was Amy Homma, director and president of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where she works to enhance, deepen and evolve the museum’s overall public and community profile and develop internal and external strategies to affirm and actualize the museum’s commitment to equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Homma shared her family history, noting that her grandparents lived in Pasadena and were displaced during World War II, and her grandfather served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team and and was wounded during combat in Europe.
The second CD12 honoree was Shannon Lee, founder and president of the Bruce Lee Foundation, CEO and owner of Bruce Lee Enterprises, author, producer and speaker. Through the foundation, she is the creator of programs and community initiatives that focus on youth mental wellness and building community through the teachings of her late father, martial arts legend Bruce Lee.
Lee recalled that when her father was asked if he thought of himself as Asian, Chinese or North American, he replied, “I like to think of myself as a human being, because under the sky we are one family.”
Jurado, the first Filipina to serve on the council, also introduced two “unsung heroes in our communities”:
Grant Sunoo, director of community building and engagement for Little Tokyo Service Center. He oversees LTSC’s creative place-keeping, community planning, small business, and community organizing efforts. Through his work, he and his team partner with other Little Tokyo stakeholders to advance the community’s vision for their neighborhood.
Sunoo described himself as a fourth-generation Angeleno who’s the son of Elaine Sunoo, an LAUSD adult school teacher, and Cooke Sunoo, an L.A. city employee who served in the administration of Mayor Tom Bradley. He remembered visiting his great-grandmother when she lived at Little Tokyo Towers.
Sunoo said he was initially hesitant to be honored because many others deserved it, but was encouraged by his co-workers and boss to accept the recognition. He thanked his parents, who were present, “for being patient and supportive of me … showing me that community is something precious.”
He called for heightened awareness and involvement because “communities of color are under attack. We have a president who is actively dismantling our democracy.”
Mia Yamamoto has tried over 300 criminal jury trials, including three death penalty trials. She is a frequent presenter and lecturer on criminal law topics, including representing protesters, jury selection, and elimination of bias, for the L.A. County Bar Association, Criminal Courts Bar Association, and California Public Defenders Association.
Also reflecting on the current political climate, Yamamoto said, “We’ve got to fight back. We have a responsibility to our ancestors. They fought against the Nazis during World War II … We have to recognize the fascist menace that’s rising.”
Expressing pride as a transgender Asian American woman with roots in Hawaii, she said, “We are all one part of … the civil rights movement, and that movement is under attack right now from the top of our government … especially for people like me. But every one of us has a stake in the future of our country. She reminded everyone of their duty to “defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”
Additional remarks were made by Councilmembers Curren Price (District 9), Heather Hutt (District 10th), Monica Rodriguez (District 7), Hugo Soto-Martinez (District 13), Imelda Padilla (District 6), Eunisses Hernandez (District 1), and Nazarian.
Raman was unable to attend, but her honorees were introduced:
Mina Kimes, award-winning journalist, NFL analyst, senior writer, podcast host and television contributor for ESPN. She hosts “The Mina Kimes Show” and has been a color commentator for local TV broadcasts of L.A. Rams pre-season games. She paved the path for women in a field traditionally reserved for men.
Katie Chin, award-winning cookbook author, caterer, playwright and culinary ambassador to National Pediatric Cancer Foundation. She runs Wokstar Catering and regularly appears on TV. She most recently did two sold-out performances of her solo show “Holy Shiitake: A Wok Star Is Born.” She serves as co-chair of Mayor Karen Bass’ AAPI L.A. Task Force.
Bhuvan Bajaj, senior transportation engineer for the Los Angeles Department of Transportation, who oversees the agency’s Hollywood-Wilshire District and Central District engineering offices. He spent the first 10 years of his career working in the LADOT Automated Traffic Surveillance and Control Center before moving into his current public-facing division, where he has been for 13 years.
The council meeting was followed by an outdoor AANHPI Heritage Month celebration at City Hall.