Chicago, August 18, 2024 — The “Taste of Asia” event held in Chicago on Saturday marked a significant celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) culture and unity. Organized by seven AAPI Chambers of Commerce and various local organizations, the event showcased the vibrant spirit and collaborative strength of the AAPI community, serving as a prelude to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) AAPI Caucus meetings starting the next day.
Bel Leong-Hong, Chair of the DNC AAPI Caucus , opened the event with a heartfelt address. “It is this small and mighty group that brought out all the Asian American and Pacific Islander Chambers of Commerce to get together, along with community groups, to put on this incredible event,” Leong-Hong said. “This is the first time we have seen such a turnout, and I can’t thank you enough.”
Leong-Hong highlighted the historic achievements of Aruna Miller and Susan C. Lee, who were present at the event. Miller, the Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, is the first South Asian woman, first Asian American, and first immigrant to hold this role in the U.S., marking a significant milestone in political representation. Lee, Maryland’s Secretary of State, is the first Asian American to serve in this capacity, reflecting the ongoing progress in AAPI leadership.
Leong-Hong also expressed her gratitude to local supporters and community leaders, including Aurora Austriaco, Partner at Valentine Austriaco and Bueschel, P.C.; Callie Y. Kim Founder, Waban Impact LLC; Ernest Wong, fASLA Principal at site design group, ltd.; and George Chunkau Mui, Asian American Executive Network. She underscored the importance of political engagement and encouraged attendees to mobilize their communities. “We need to ensure that we elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz as the next President and Vice President of the United States,” she urged. “For the first time in American history, we have the chance to elect an Asian American woman as President, and we must seize this opportunity.”
Leong-Hong also underscored the importance of political engagement and encouraged attendees to mobilize their communities. “We need to ensure that we elect Kamala Harris and Tim Waltz as the next President and Vice President of the United States,” she urged. “For the first time in American history, we have the chance to elect an Asian American woman as President, and we must seize this opportunity.”
Looking ahead, Leong-Hong mentioned the upcoming DNC AAPI Caucus meetings. “Thank you all for being here,” she said. “We will have a wonderful time tomorrow at my conference, which begins at 9:30 in the morning.” This announcement set the stage for the four-day DNC, highlighting the event’s role as a key moment for political discussions and community engagement.
The “Taste of Asia” event drew a diverse and influential crowd, featuring prominent figures from various sectors of the AAPI community. Attendees included Madalene Mielke, President & CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS); George Chunkau Mui, Founder of the Asian American Executive Network; Gloria Wu, MD, President of the Santa Clara County Medical Association; Callie Y. Kim, Founder of Waban Impact LLC; and Dottie Li, Founder and CEO of TransPacific Communications. Their participation, along with many other notable leaders who were present, underscored the event’s role in celebrating AAPI achievements and fostering community collaboration.
The “Taste of Asia” event celebrated cultural heritage while serving as an important platform for political advocacy, setting a positive tone for the upcoming DNC AAPI Caucus.
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The “Taste of Asia” event at Bridge 410 showcased the rich culinary and cultural diversity of Asia, bringing a vibrant celebration to Chicago. This event was organized by a coalition of leading AAPI organizations, including ACE NextGen, the Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, the Asian American Coalition of Chicago, the Asian American Executive Network (AAEN), the Chicago Asian Network, the Illinois Muslim Chamber of Commerce, and the South Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois.
Attendees enjoyed an array of dishes from various vendors, including sweet treats from Anna Wu of A Sweets Girl LLC and street food favorites from Jeff Wang of Yum Dum. The event also featured live music and entertainment, creating a festive atmosphere for community connection and cultural appreciation.
