Actors Lucy Liu and Stephanie Hsu are set to be honoured at The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) Heritage Summit and Awards Dinner, alongside Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé. The two-day event, taking place from May 21st to 22nd, aims to celebrate the dynamism, leadership, and increasing influence of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.
The Summit will bring together a diverse range of voices from entertainment, business, public service, and grassroots organisations for panels and discussions focused on shaping the national conversation around identity, inclusion, and how different generations connect.
Liu, reflecting on the award, stated, “I’m deeply honoured to receive this award from The Asian American Foundation. It stands as a tribute to TAAF’s vision of equity, representation, and lasting impact. I’m inspired every day by the strength and brilliance of the Asian American community, and I’m committed to helping amplify our voices as we shape a more just and empowered future together.”
Hsu also expressed her gratitude, saying, “I am so honoured to be receiving a TAAF award and to be in a room full of people celebrating all the ways it is, indeed, an honour just to be Asian. There are so many ways our community has made leaps and bounds over the last years, and I’m eager to continue to grow our impact within the industry as well as with one another. Grateful to be a part of it all.”
Read more: Lucy Liu: The Hollywood Star’s Secret Artistic Side
Ranadivé added, “I’m humbled and deeply honoured to receive this recognition from The Asian American Foundation, and grateful for the opportunity to participate in this meaningful event. It’s a privilege to stand alongside many inspiring leaders who are shaping the future and uplifting our communities.”
Discussions on Representation and Community Perceptions
Over the course of the Summit, attendees can expect keynotes and panels featuring prominent figures such as Tan France, Joe Tsai, Poorna Jagannathan, Shoba Narayan, David Henry Hwang, Pablo Torre, Juju Chang, Vicky Nguyen, and Tati Gabrielle. These conversations will explore AANHPI representation across various sectors, including film, television, and food.
A significant part of the Summit will be the release of the STAATUS Index, a national study examining American perceptions of Asian American communities. This will include an in-depth analysis led by Russell Jeung, a professor at San Francisco State University and co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate.
Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF, emphasised the importance of the event, stating, “TAAF’s annual Heritage Month Summit provides a space for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders to come together to proudly celebrate who we are, reflect on where we are going, and rally around issues and challenges impacting our community. Our theme, ‘Together We Are More,’ speaks to our collective power when we come together and lift each other up. This year’s speakers and awardees reflect the brightest minds, most passionate advocates, and talented leaders our community can offer.”
