[VT I Washington, D.C. December 10, 2025] APIAVote (Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote) hosted its annual signature event, 2025 Taste of Democracy, on Wednesday evening at the AAPI Collective in Washington, D.C. Elected officials, community leaders, advocates, and partners from across the country gathered to celebrate the achievements of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities in civic participation and democratic engagement, while honoring individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to advancing political participation.
The event focused on voter education, language access, civic engagement, and grassroots organizing, highlighting the collective power of community-based efforts in strengthening democracy.
Leadership Remarks Highlight Community Engagement and Democratic Resilience
Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote, welcomed guests to the organization’s newly established community space and emphasized the importance of continued investment in voter registration, research, and multilingual outreach amid an increasingly complex political landscape. She underscored that the resilience demonstrated by AANHPI communities in the face of systemic barriers is a driving force behind the continued progress of democracy.
Daphne Kwok, Vice President of Audience Strategy at AARP, stressed that language access is essential to equitable participation in elections, particularly for older voters. She reaffirmed AARP’s long-standing partnership with APIAVote in expanding in-language voting resources.
Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), delivered keynote remarks recognizing the critical role of community organizations in protecting civil rights, safeguarding voting access, and advancing grassroots democracy. She also congratulated the evening’s honorees.
Community Impact Award Honors Grassroots Leadership
The Community Impact Award was presented to two Pennsylvania-based organizations for their exemplary leadership in civic engagement:
The Asian American Community Fund of Pennsylvania (AACFPA), led by Executive Director Mohan Seshadri, was recognized for its statewide multilingual voter mobilization, civic education initiatives, and coalition-building efforts.
Asian Americans United (AAU) was honored for nearly four decades of leadership in language justice, youth development, and community organizing. The award was accepted by Vivian Chang, Executive Director, and Wei Chen, Civic Engagement Director.
The two organizations were jointly recognized for their collaboration on the Save Chinatown campaign, a multi-year grassroots movement that mobilized tens of thousands of residents to protect Philadelphia’s historic Chinatown from overdevelopment and displacement, while significantly increasing local and statewide voter participation.
Beacon of Democracy Award Honors Johnnie D. Giles
The Beacon of Democracy Award was presented posthumously to Johnnie D. Giles, former APIAVote Board Chair and longtime AAPI community leader, in recognition of his exceptional leadership in advancing civic participation, research, and storytelling. The award was accepted by Susan Jin Davis on behalf of the Giles family.
Tributes were delivered by Congressman Ted Lieu and Bret Perkins, Senior Vice President of External and Government Affairs at Comcast Corporation, who reflected on Giles’s lasting impact on AANHPI civic life. Speakers highlighted his role in launching the Asian American Voter Survey and expanding national visibility for AANHPI voices through strategic media partnerships.
APIAVote also announced the establishment of the Johnnie D. Giles Memorial Fund, which will carry forward his commitment to research and storytelling that elevate AANHPI experiences and strengthen democratic participation. Comcast Corporation made the fund’s inaugural contribution.
Looking Ahead: Building an Inclusive Democracy
Dr. Karen Eng, President of the APIAVote Board of Directors and President & CEO of CSMI, emphasized that data, research, and community storytelling are powerful tools for driving systemic change. She called on continued public and philanthropic support for community-centered democracy-building efforts.
The evening concluded with expressions of gratitude to partners, host committee members, and volunteers. 2025 Taste of Democracy served not only as a celebration, but also as a call to action—affirming that democracy thrives when communities are seen, heard, and empowered.
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