Three Los Angeles City Council members Friday recognized four Asian Americans for their contributions to the city in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander Month.
Council members John Lee, Nithya Raman and Kevin de León led the ceremony held on the Spring Court Steps at City Hall. The event included a free lunch, cultural performances and an awards ceremony.
This year’s honorees were Korean artist ZiBEZI (Z-B-Z), recognized for his artistic contributions for his film “Parasite,” Hyung Chul Kim, proprietor of Brown Bag Cookies, a L.A.-based cookie shop; Zohreen Shah, an L.A.-based national reporter for ABC News on all platforms, including Good Morning America; and Hyonbae Park, chief financial officer of CJ ENM USA, a production company bringing Korean media culture to the U.S.
Artist and comedian Ken Jeong was to be recognized as well, but cancelled his appearance, according to Lee’s office.
“It’s my distinct honor to spearhead the city’s AAPI Heritage Month celebration each year to celebrate and recognize the various AAPI individuals and organizations who help to make our city, country and world a better place,” Lee said in a statement.
He noted that as a member of the AAPI community, it has always been “imperative for me to ensure that the AAPI community as a whole is recognized, respected and that those throughout the city who do the critical work of uplifting AAPI’s voices are acknowledged for their dedication.”
Los Angeles Police Department Interim Chief Dominic Choi, City Controller Kenneth Mejia and Capri Maddox, executive director of the L.A. Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department, joined the celebration.
Mayor Karen Bass, who had been invited to the ceremony, did not make an appearance, though she posted on X, recognizing AAPI month.
“Los Angeles celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and recognized the contributions that AANHPI communities have made to the story of our city,” Bass posted on social media. “As one of the most diverse cities in the world, L.A. continues to lift up the voices that represent us.”
Daniel Tarica, general manager of the Department of Cultural Affairs, shared details about more events planned for the month, including:
— AAPI Community Days of Service, May 18, a citywide effort to beautify and clean up our neighborhoods. Various clean-ups are happening around the city. In Council District 12, volunteers will be cleaning Limekiln Canyon Trail;
— Pottery Class, May 11, Lee invites participants to a pottery class, where they will learn about AAPI Heritage Month and create this year’s symbol, the dragon;
— AAPI LA Market, May 19, an annual market in Smorgasburg. It will feature some of the best AAPI-owned eateries and brands in the city of Los Angeles; and
— Accessing L.A.’s Koi Pond, May 20, an event that gives an opportunity for small business owners to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for feedback and advice on growing their businesses.