Asian American Federation Announces Impact Awards to Honor Asian American Leaders Nationwide
The 2023 Impact Awards will be presented at the Asian American Federation’s January gala
New York, NY – The Asian American Federation has announced the honorees for its 2023 Impact Awards. The honorees will be celebrated at the Asian American Federation’s first in-person gala since 2019, to be held on January 26, 2023, in New York City.
Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, 43rd Health Commissioner, New York City
Dr. Dave A. Chokshi was the 43rd Commissioner at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, one of the leading health agencies in the world. He led the City’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its historic campaign to vaccinate over 6 million New Yorkers, saving tens of thousands of lives. He currently serves as a physician at Bellevue Hospital, clinical professor at NYU, and senior scholar at the CUNY School of Public Health.
CeFaan Kim, Reporter, ABC News
CeFaan Kim is a two-time Edward R. Murrow Award-winning ABC News correspondent and reporter for WABC-TV in New York City. His reporting on poverty among Asian American seniors and the ongoing anti-Asian attacks has sparked national, necessary conversations on violence against Asian Americans and the movement to combat anti-Asian hate.
Valarie Kaur, Founder, Revolutionary Love Project
Valarie Kaur is a civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, author, and the founder of the Revolutionary Love Project. Valarie became an activist when a Sikh father and family friend Balbir Singh Sodhi was the first person murdered in hate violence in the aftermath of 9/11. For two decades, in his memory, she led visionary campaigns to tell untold stories and change policy on issues ranging from hate crimes, racial profiling, immigration detention, solitary confinement, Internet freedom, and more.
Susie Nam, CEO of the Americas, Droga5
Susie Nam is the Droga5 CEO of the Americas and an executive advisor to Droga5’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiative, D+iQ. AAF partnered with Droga5 to create the award-winning “I’m Really From” campaign that brought together Asian American artists, organizers, and ordinary people to share powerful stories of belonging.
In addition, AAF will present the Community Impact award to:
Linda Sun, Deputy Commissioner, New York State Department of Labor
Linda Sun is a veteran political staffer and strategist and a leader in New York’s Asian community. She is currently the Deputy Commissioner at the Department of Labor, overseeing the relationship between the labor force and business community. Earlier, Linda served as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Kathy C. Hochul where she was instrumental in the state’s pandemic response, including against anti-Asian hate crimes.
Event Details:
WHEN: January 26, 2023 | 7:00 PM
WHERE: The Pierre | 2 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10065
Tickets and sponsorships for the event can be purchased at: www.giveffect.com/campaigns/23670-aaf-impact-awards
All proceeds from the event will support Asian American Federation programs, including the lauded Hope Against Hate Campaign and the Changing Minds mental health project that are helping to protect and sustain Asian New Yorkers.
Established in 1989, with the mission to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness, and nonprofit support. Serving 70 member and partner organizations and representing the collective interests of 1.3 million Asian New Yorkers, the Asian American Federation is the largest umbrella leadership organization in New York, serving diverse Asian American communities that make up the fastest-growing population in the city, state, and country.