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Prominent members of the Washington, DC Asian American community were honored this evening as part of Mayor Vincent C. Gray's 2013 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration. The event, held at historic Lincoln Theatre in the U Street Corrider, was presented by The Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA), The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and Kollaboration DC.
The awardees included:
The Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project, a non-profit organization;
Wuiping Yap, Founder and Executive Director of Asia Heritage Foundation. Yap created Fiesta Asia, an annual street fair in downtown DC, which just completed its 8th year. The foundation also sponsors other events during the month of May to pay recognition to Asian and Pacific Islander heritage; and,
Natwar M. Gandhi, Chief Financial Officer for the District of Columbia. Gandhi has been credited with 14 rating uprades since FY 2000. The National Academy of Public Administration elected Gandhi as a fellow in 2005 in recognition of contributions and commitment to improving public administration.
"Practically every corner of America, we are endowed with a dazzling array of professional skills and an abundance of zeal," stated Gandhi about the greater Asian American community in accepting his award.
Gandhi went on to thank Mayor Gray for his leadership in promoting diversity of our Nation's Capital under the banner of the mayor's "One City" campaign.
"Members of the AAPI community have done so much for this nation," Mayor Gray told the audience. "Members of the AAPI community have such a strong and rich history in our great nation."
Gray then referenced the population growth of the AAPI community which now stands at 27,000 residents, making up 4.5 percent of the total population. He added that he hopes to see it rise to 10 percent in the near future, making reference to his "One City" agenda.
"One city ought to be no matter what ward you live in … you ought to have an opportunity that's equal to everybody else no matter who you are," the mayor stated. "No matter who you are you ought to have the same chance as everybody else in the District of Columbia. The AAPI community … a very well organized, very involved in the city and very committed in making this a better city."
The Mayor issued a proclamation recognizing May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Receiving the proclamation was OAPIA's Executive Director Soohyun "Julie" Koo.
Koo attributed the success of her agency to the "One City" philosophy.
"I believe this genuine support is only made possible because of the basic belief in 'One City' that embraces and honors diversity, inclusivity, equality and fairness," Koo stated.
Fox 5 reporter Sherri Ly served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the event. The evening also featured performances by members of the local Asian American community who were past participants in Kollaboration DC. The performers included Beatboxer Chip Han, Acoustic Singer Lumi Bustamante, Spoken Word artist George Yamazawa, Jr., Hip Hop Duo SNRG and the DTMG Music Group.
