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Elevating Colorado's Asian communities through cultural exchange since 2009.
Attend the 2022 Asian American Hero of Colorado Awards Ceremony!
Happy Living and Wellness Center
14015 E Evans Avenue, Aurora, CO 80014
Tickets: General $40 | Student $30
Table of 8 for $280
Saturday, May 21, 2022 | 10am to 12pm
The 2022 Asian American Hero of Colorado Awardees will be featured in Asian Avenue Magazine's May edition.
From left: Deborah Yim, Alyssa Nilemo, Dr. William Wei, Gary Yamashita, Dr. Sumiko Tanaka Hennessy, Mimi Luong Ye, and Joanne Liu.
Congratulations to the 2022 awardees!
Joanne Liu
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Co-Founder & CEO, Asian Girls Ignite
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Chair, Colorado Asian Pacific United
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Commissioner, Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission
Dr. William Wei
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State Historian, History Colorado
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Boardmember, Colorado Asian Pacific United
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History Professor, University of Colorado
Gary Yamashita
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Chief Executive Officer, Sakura Square LLC
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Executive Director, Sakura Foundation
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Community Grantmaking Committee, Rose Community Foundation
Mimi Luong Ye
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Co-owner, Truong An Gifts in Far East Center
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Founder, Sweetest Day CO
Deborah Yim
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Owner & Managing Attorney, Primera Law Group
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President-Elect, Asian Pacific American Bar Association
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Commissioner, Denver Immigrant and Refugee Commission
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Legal Counsel, Asian Real Estate Association of Greater Denver
Young Hero Award: Alyssa Nilemo
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Executive Director, Asian Chamber Foundation of Colorado
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Dharma School Superintendent, Denver Buddhist Temple
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Mirai Generations Leadership Program Graduate, Sakura Foundation
Lifetime Achievement Award: Dr. Sumiko Tanaka Hennessy
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Founding boardmember and former Executive Director, Asian Pacific Development Center
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Co-founder, Asian Chamber of Commerce
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Co-founder, Crossroads for Social Work (for mental health professionals in Japan and the U.S.)
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Former boardmember, Women's Foundation of Colorado
We have reached the max capacity for the event and
are no longer selling tickets. Thank you!
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!
Or send a check payable to: CACEN
P.O. Box 221748
Denver, CO 80222
Contact us with questions:
303.937.6888
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.
COVID-19
Since the COVID-19 outbreak hit Colorado (March 2020), Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have been subjected to increased rates of harassment and discrimination. Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN) has been working in partnership with local organizations to respond to these concerns as well as support Asian families and businesses during these difficult times.
The Partnership, which includes Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC), Colorado Dragon Boat, and Asian Chamber of Commerce has coordinated community outreach and messaging campaigns to help our AAPI communities respond to the hateful acts and report to the national tracking tool.
The Partnership has worked with local community leaders, government agencies, and law enforcement to confront hate crimes against AAPI communities. Incidents of discrimination including verbal attacks (using racist language), spitting (assault) and physical violence (pushing and punching) have been reported on campuses, in grocery stores, and other public spaces. AAPIs are fearful and cautious to leave their homes to get food and essential items.
Additionally, AAPI small business owners have been hit the hardest because of this anti-Asian sentiment. Prior to the Governor’s stay-at-home order, AAPI businesses were already experiencing a significant decrease in business and customers. Additionally, AAPI business owners are disproportionately affected by the economic repercussions of COVID-19 due to language and cultural barriers. Many need assistance to understand and file for SBA and PPP loans. Similarly, AAPI families and community members need support to file for unemployment, mortgage deferment, and/or to understand the stimulus plan.
In response to COVID-19, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network received several grants to support Colorado families in need:
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We set up food delivery services for Asian seniors and refugee/immigrant families.
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We organized supplies and PPE donation drive, as well as a toy and clothing drive.
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We also created and promoted an Asian restaurant directory (during the safer at home order) that identified restaurants offering take-out and delivery services.
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In August 2020, we established an Asian Eats To-Go program to partner with local Asian restaurants to provide pre-packaged lunch boxes. This allowed community members to support several local Asian-owned businesses at once.
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In collaboration with the Partnership, we have provided translation services and support to help individuals and businesses apply for loans and file for unemployment.
If you need any support, please e-mail us at cacendenver@gmail.com.
Anti-Asian Hate
Since the COVID-19 outbreak hit Colorado (March 2020), Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have been subjected to increased rates of harassment and discrimination.
Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN) has been working in partnership with local organizations to respond to these concerns as well as support Asian families and businesses during these difficult times.
