Irvine, CA — Following a tradition first started during his time as a California State Senator, Representative Dave Min (CA-47) hosted his fifth annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Empowerment Summit to recognize the contributions the Asian American community has made in Orange County.
“The amazing growth that we have seen in Asian American culture since I was a kid… that’s the story of America,” said Rep. Min. “And that’s the America I want my kids to grow up in. An America that celebrates diversity, celebrates new cultures, that embraces inclusion and a broad worldview, where we have broad diasporas like the AANHPI community, that’s the America that I believe in, and that’s the America that we have to fight right now to restore.”
This year’s panelists included:
- Yassmin Sarmadi, Restaurateur, Knife Pleat
- Annie Lai, Clinical Professor of Law and Co-Associate Dean for Experiential Education, UCI Law
- Dennis Kim, First Violin, Pacific Symphony, Assistant Professor, UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts
- Geeta Sikand, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (Cardiology Division), UC Irvine
Geeta Sikand, Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine (Cardiology Division), UC Irvine. Photo by Keyang Pang - Ishaan Gaikwad, Student Board Member, Irvine Unified School District
- Tetsuya Kadono, Goalkeeper, Orange County Soccer Club
- Vattana Peong, MPH, Executive Director, The Cambodian Family
- Mohannad S. Malas, Co-Founder, IRA Capital
 hosted his fifth annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Empowerment Summit to recognize the contributions the Asian American community has made in Orange County.Watch the full panel here. ){kind=link}