Fighting for Justice

Fifty years doesn’t happen quietly.

Our anniversary gala at Hotel Nikko on October 3rd proved that. The room buzzed with energy—the kind that only comes when community shows up, when people who believe in justice gather to celebrate how far we’ve come and recommit to how far we still need to go.

Fighting for Justice at the Hotel Nikko

A Night That Started with Gratitude

The evening began with a special reception honoring our sponsors, special guests, and board members—the people whose sustained commitment makes our work possible. It set the tone for a night of celebration and reconnection.

A Night Led by Powerful Voices

Emmy Award-winning journalist and APILO champion Dion Lim hosted the evening with grace and power. As someone who’s made history as the first Asian American woman to anchor TV newscasts in multiple major markets—Kansas City, Charlotte, Tampa Bay, and San Francisco—she knows what it means to break barriers. Her reporting on racism and violence against Asian Americans has been featured on Good Morning America, 20/20, Nightline, and ABC News Live. She’s been honored at the White House alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and received multiple commendations from state and local leaders.

MC Dion Lim

“Keep Fighting for Justice and Equality”

Executive Director Dean Ito Taylor introduced Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, recipient of the first ever API Legal Outreach Trailblazer Award. Her acceptance speech reminded us why we do this work.

After 37 years representing San Francisco in Congress—making history as the first woman elected Speaker of the House and becoming the chief architect of generation-defining legislation including the Affordable Care Act, the American Rescue Plan, and the Inflation Reduction Act—she stood hand in hand with Dean, as she has throughout her tenure as San Francisco’s Congressional representative. Her message was simple and powerful: keep fighting for justice and equality.

She’s a steadfast defender of democratic values who led two presidential impeachments and created the January 6th Committee. She’s been a powerful voice for human rights globally, making a historic visit to Taiwan in 2022 and championing causes from LGBTQ equality to voting rights. Her legislative victories span healthcare, climate action, ethics reform, and critical support for Ukraine.

Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and API Legal Outreach Executive Director Dean Ito Taylor

As a San Francisco native who continues to serve as Speaker Emerita representing the Bay Area, she embodies the fighting spirit that API Legal Outreach has carried for five decades. Her partnership with APILO throughout the years represents the kind of sustained commitment to justice that makes real change possible—which is exactly why she received our inaugural Trailblazer Award.

Stories That Matter

We screened a video about Venerable Heanh Sroy, the ranking abbot for Oakland’s Cambodian Buddhist Church.

After surviving the Khmer Rouge regime and losing his spouse and two children, Venerable Sroy became a monk dedicated to service. In 2019, speaking only Khmer, he reached out to APILO for help. Our Senior Staff Attorney Nancy Wong worked with him through the immigration process—first securing his green card, then helping him navigate naturalization. This past April, he became a U.S. citizen. His story reminded everyone in that room what 50 years of fighting for justice looks like.

Community Voices That Matter

Throughout the evening, pop-up speakers shared reflections on our impact. Cally Wong, Becki Masaki, Dr. Patsy Tito, and Raquel R. Redondiez each brought unique perspectives on what 50 years of justice work means to our extended community.

Then members of our Youth Advisory Council took the stage. These teens, dedicated to preventing peer violence and abuse, spoke with a passion and clarity that reminded us why this work extends across generations. Their voices represent the future of this movement—young people already committed to fighting for justice in their communities.

APILO’s Youth Advisory Council

Honoring Dedicated Service

We took time to recognize the people who make this work possible every single day. Staff members celebrated milestone anniversaries:

• 5+ years of service: Vicky Hartanto, Hee Jeong Matz, Junko K. Kenmotsu, Nancy H. Wong, Ted Tang, Alicia Cuautia Velazquez, and Greg Paulo N. Palomares
• 10+ years of service: Linda Li, Ruby S. Chan, and Jason Truong
• 25+ years of service: Akiko Takeshita and Thu T. Le

APILO Staff

These dedicated team members represent the backbone of our organization—showing up day after day, year after year, to ensure that marginalized communities have access to justice.

The Sponsors Who Make It Possible

None of this would exist without our sponsors. Our platinum sponsors—Arnold Honda, CT Square Inc., and Lewis Kawahara—stood alongside gold sponsors Ranko Yamada, Bob Matsueda Yoga, and Kato, Feder & Suzuki, LLP.

Silver sponsors Cathay Pacific, Perkins Coie, JCYC, Minami Tamaki LLP, Fox Rothschild, John Kikuchi, and Rosalyn Tonai and Grant Din joined bronze sponsor HansonBridgett in investing in our future.

Kato, Feder & Suzuki, LLP’s message captured the sentiment perfectly: “Thank you APILO for a half century of working towards justice for all.”

Mixed Persuasion Dance Group

Culture and Celebration

The Mixed Persuasion Dance Group (@mpersuasion1) brought Polynesian culture to life through choreographed dance and traditional attire, expressing traditions, history, and identity through movement that connected us all.

Reverse DNA brought together jazz, Latin, R&B, blues, and rock—channeling their talents toward local organizations and causes that promote social betterment. The music kept us dancing and celebrating throughout the night.

Reverse DNA rock the house

Fundraising That Fuels Our Mission

The silent auction and raffle drew enthusiastic participation throughout the evening, with attendees bidding on experiences, memorabilia, and unique items that support our work.

Celebrating 50 Years with Cake

The cake auction became one of the evening’s highlights. Beautiful creations from Paper Rock Fork Bakery, Angel Cake Collective, Silver Dahlia, Cake Coquette, Kahnfections, U Dessert, Theresa Chiong, and Cinderella Bakery turned fundraising into art. Each cake represented someone in our community saying: this work is worth supporting, this mission is worth sustaining.

What 50 Years Looks Like

Bob Matsueda and Ranko Yamada captured it perfectly in their message to our team: “Congratulations to the API Legal Outreach team, past and present, on 50 years of life-changing work.”

Life-changing. That’s what happened for Venerable Sroy. And it’s what happens when:

• A senior learns they don’t have to face elder abuse alone
• An immigrant family gets legal support to build their new life
• A young person discovers their rights and how to use them
• A tenant fights back against unlawful eviction

The Fight Continues

The gala ended around 10 PM, but the work has not stopped.

Since 1975, we’ve been showing up for marginalized communities across the Bay Area. We’ve provided culturally competent legal services when others wouldn’t. We’ve trained community members to recognize and report elder abuse. We’ve defended tenant rights in the face of a housing crisis. We’ve walked alongside immigrant families navigating systems designed to keep them out.

Speaker Pelosi told us to keep fighting. Mayor Lurie honored our commitment. Our Youth Advisory Council showed us the future. Venerable Sroy’s story reminded us what’s at stake. Our sponsors invested in our future. Our staff showed up with dedication spanning decades. Our community celebrated alongside us.

Now we’re asking you to join us.

Fifty years ago, our organization was borne from the unjust internment of Japanese Americans, and ever since we have worked to secure equality and justice for people of color, immigrants, and marginalized communities. Today, we’re on the frontlines, fighting for justice, and ask for your support.

The communities we serve are under attack and the need for our services far outstrips our capacity. Your tax deductible contributions will help us meet the moment and increase our organization’s ability to serve and protect the immigrant populations we serve.

Thank you for celebrating with us. Thank you for believing in justice. Thank you for the progress made over the past 50 years and to a brighter future ahead.

Want to support our work? Visit this webpage to give this holiday season. Watch Venerable Sroy’s inspiring story. Follow us on social media for updates on our programs and community impact.

Photo Gallery from Fighting for Justice