(Sacramento, CA) - This afternoon Assemblymember Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) had the opportunity to honor the Korean American Coalition (KAC) of Los Angeles as the 53rd Assembly District’s Non-Profit of the Year.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to honor the Korean American Coalition as a Non-Profit of the Year for 2017,” said Assemblymember Santiago. “In the 53rd District, KAC has been an exemplary role model for decades through their commitment to educating and empowering our vibrant Korean American community.”
In attendance to accept the award were Joon Bang, Executive Director of the Korean American Coalition, as well as Yun Hee Kim, KAC’s Board Director. As leaders they steer a team of staff and volunteers to promote the civic and civil rights interests of the Korean American community. They also work to increase civic and legislative awareness through education, community organizing, leadership development, and coalition building with diverse communities.
The direct impact of organizing the Korean American community in Los Angeles was highly visible most recently during the 34th Congressional district’s special election earlier this month, in which KAC played a role. That election saw historic turnout for the Korean American community, with about half of those voters that received mail-in ballots returning them prior to Election Day. The KAC has also showed their commitment to the larger Los Angeles community through their partnerships with other community-focused social justice organizations.
“I’m honoring the Korean American Coalition today not just because of their outstanding work in the Korean American community, which cannot be understated, but also because I know that their work has had a ripple effect across all communities. The 53rd district and greater Los Angeles have undoubtedly benefited because of their leadership.”
The award was part of a larger Non-Profit Day Luncheon hosted annually by the California Non-Profit Association to recognize exceptional nonprofit organizations across the state. The event was held at the Sacramento Convention Center, and was attended by both elected officials and nonprofit leaders from across the state including Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon.
Assemblymember Miguel Santiago is the Chair of the Assembly’s Communications and Conveyance Committee and a member of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. He represents the 53rd District composed of the cities of Los Angeles, Huntington Park, and Vernon.
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