Thank you to everyone who attended our 2025 Gala!
APIDC 2025 Youth Leadership Institute Graduates
(from left to right): Raymond Kwong (YLI alumni), Jane Suh ('25 YLI graduate), Sara Jew ('25 YLI graduate), Samuel Perez ('25 YLI graduate), Jacklin Su ('25 YLI graduate), Denise Dador
APIDC's 2025 Gala was a warm and inspiring celebration of community, leadership, and connection. Guests heard directly from our 2025 YLI graduates, who reflected on their experiences in the program, the skills they gained, and the futures they envision. Former graduates then introduced our new YLI Alumni Initiative, an exciting effort designed to help alumni stay connected, share experiences, mentor one another, and continue building a supportive community beyond the program. The night also featured a spirited live auction, highlighted by a tour and lunch at Tanaka Farms and exclusive signed Shohei Ohtani memorabilia. The evening culminated in a moving presentation of our Community Spirit Award to Seesaw Communities, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities through vocational training, meaningful employment, and a strong sense of belonging.
Thank you to our table sponsors:
Johnna Cho & Wonkoo Chang, Constangy, Cynthia Gouw, Exact Tax Inc., Gene & Vickie Kanamori, Friends of Patricia Kinaga & Peter J. Wong, Friends of Audrey Noda, Friends of Eddie Yen, office of the LA County Public Defender, Pasadena City College/Asian American & Pacific Islander Advisory Committee to the President, Special Service for Groups, Korean American Bar Association.
Special thanks to our silent auction donors:
Bachan's Japanese BBQ Sauce, Mishima, Baker's Table, Twenties Beauty, Tanaka Farms, Erroll Angara, Wilson Creek Winery, Somerset Winery, Bella Vista Winery, Halleck Vineyard, Gardens of Golden Gate Park, NASUNG Soju, Chance Theater, Cutruzzola Vineyards, Denner Vineyards, Melville Winery, Riverbench Vineyard & Winery, Nami Matcha, ILOOTPAPERIE, Moleskine, Giant Robot, Handles Coffee, Skylight Books, Passion Planner, Aloha Collection, Rafu Bussan/ Sushi Gen, 99 Ranch Market, Sachiyo Miller, Verve Coffee, Ready America, Kimiko Fujita, Klatch Coffee, Chevalier's Books, Akiko Koh, Chingoo Snacks, Mimochai, Bitty Bao, Khanh Nguyen, Kauai Kookie, New Savant, Sunmerry Bakery, Dear Sundays, Kosha 5 Yoga Studio, Sabobatage Card Game, Bopomofo Cafe, Linda Wah, Style with Sandy, Anne Bagasao, ILHA Candles, Malie Organics, Steve Yuen, Wang Plastic Surgery & Med Spa, Eddie Yen, Connor Stone, Revive Scalp Lounge, Gene Kanamori, Sky Zone Alhambra, Golf n' Stuff, Chocolate Dispensary, Top Golf Montebello, Raising Cane's Monterey Park, Dinner Detective, Rooftop Cinema Club, Peterson Automotive Museum, Santa Monica Playhouse Family Theatre, Universal Studios Hollywood, Langham Huntington Pasadena, American Airlines, The Nocturne Theatre, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, Dara Smith, Curtis Theater, The Old Globe, Cygnet Theatre, Mingei International Museum, PopHop Bookstore, Shorthand LA, Highland Park Brewery, Laguna Playhouse, Descanso Gardens, Holbox, and Nathan Wang.
APIDC 2023 Gala
Cicada Restaurant
APIDC 2022 Gala
Japanese American National Museum
APIDC 2024 Gala
Cicada Restaurant
APIDC 2021 Virtual Gala
Broadcasted from Honolulu, Los Angeles, & Boston
Featuring graduates of APIDC’s Youth Leadership Institute
Jen Len, Mixologist, MW Restaurant, Honolulu
Anthony Phillips, Master Chef, Hotel Kaimana, Waikiki
APIDC 20th Anniversary Gala (2019)
APIDC 5th Annual Gala (2018)
APIDC 2017 Gala
2022 Gala: We thank our generous supporters
Gold Sponsors
Bank of America
Edison International
SoCalGas
Silver Sponsors
Larry Cole & Linda Lau
Marilynn Fong
Bronze Sponsors
ExactTax
Union Bank
iDepo Reporters
Daphne Kwok/AARP
Johnna Cho/Wonkoo Chang
Nathan Sugimoto
Friends of Patricia Kinaga & Peter Wong
Community Sponsors
Disability Rights California
Japanese American Bar Association
Pasadena City College
Special Service for Groups, Inc.
Michael Enomoto / Asian American Architects/Engineers Association
Gene & Vickie Kanamori
Mark Matsui
Special Thanks
Jen Len and MW Restaurant
Chef Anthony Phillips, Hau Tree Restaurant, and Kaimana Hotel
Samantha Chen
John Chiang
Deana Chuang
Creatively
Justin Eddy
Cynthia Gouw
Shaz Hassan
Bruce Ishimatsu
Gene Kanamori
Dan Kao
Akiko Koh
Debbie & Mike Madokoro
Anne Manalili
Irene Nakamura
James Okazaki & Linda Wah
Marissa Salvati
Candace & Ken Watase
Mary Wong
All Videos
All Videos
Message from Executive Director
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