The InspirASIAN Northern California (NorCal) Chapter hosted the 2017 InspirASIAN National Awards Banquet on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017, at the historical Far East Café in San Francisco Chinatown. Nearly 200 attendees experienced the warm hospitality, rich history, and diverse cultural connections at this year’s banquet with the theme, The Power of Now! Event Co-Chairs Mae Jean Go and Yen Marshall led the planning team. Yen Marshall, InspirASIAN NorCal President, and Matt Mui, InspirASIAN National President, welcomed everyone to the banquet.
Speakers, honorees, event co-chairs, and emcee (pictured from left to right):
Stephen Gong, Yen Marshall, Nilda Valmores, Kathy McKim
Loretta Walker, Matt Mui, Todd Mathers, Mae Jean Go, Veronica De La Cruz
Event Emcee and KPIX 5 TV Anchor, Veronica De La Cruz, presided over the banquet program, and got the festivities going by taking a selfie with some of our speakers, planning team, volunteers, and attendees.
During a delicious 8-course traditional Chinese style banquet, attendees were entertained by high school student, Flora Hui, and by TOFA Inc. Youth Leaders of the Pacific Dance Group.
The Power of Now! Speakers and Honorees
As Keynote Speaker, Todd Mathers, Senior Vice President of Content and Programming – AT&T Entertainment Group, discussed AT&T’s leadership in the entertainment, media, and wireless space.
As Community Speaker, Stephen Gong, Executive Director – Center for Asian American Media (CAAM), discussed the importance of Asian American stories and storytellers, and the role that media plays to bring those stories to life. CAAM recently hosted their CAAMFest35 festival, the nation’s largest showcase for new Asian and Asian American films.
Loretta Walker, VP of Employee Engagement & Communications – AT&T California, announced My Sister’s House as this year’s AT&T Cares Recipient. Nilda Valmores, Executive Director, thanked AT&T Foundation for providing the $5,000 grant to continue their services to API survivors of domestic violence in the Sacramento/Central Valley region.
InspirASIAN recognized the following for their outstanding leadership and service:
- Community Leadership Award: Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)
- Corporate Leadership Award: Kathy McKim, Vice President, Operations & Constituency Relations – AT&T External Affairs
- Outstanding Member Award: Matt Mui, Director of Innovation & Strategy – AT&T Global Business
Community Leadership Award: Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)
Corporate Leadership Award: Kathy McKim, Vice President, Operations & Constituency Relations – AT&T External Affairs
Outstanding Member Award: Matt Mui, Director of Innovation & Strategy – AT&T Global Business
The Large Chapter of the Year Award went to InspirASIAN Northern California.
The Small Chapter of the Year Award went to InspirASIAN Washington.
The Dragon ATTack team won the Novice Corporate Challenge Race at the 2017 Northern California International Dragon Boat Festival.
The banquet was a very successful. Thanks to everyone who helped with planning and execution. Special thanks to Mae Jean Go and Yen Marshall, the 2017 Banquet Event Co-Chairs.
Thanks to all our sponsors for supporting our event and ensuring its success.
InspirASIAN is most grateful for the generous support received from our sponsors.
Silver
Kathy McKim
Bronze
Patelco Credit Union
SHI International Corp
APA Heritage Foundation & Claudine Cheng
Nickel
Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs (APAPA) Checkpoint
Mike Coffey, AT&T Global Delivery & Assurance
Anne Chow, AT&T National Business
Jennifer Van Buskirk, AT&T East Region, Retail Sales
Dan York, AT&T Entertainment Group
InspirASIAN Atlanta Chapter
InspirASIAN Dallas/Fort Worth Chapter
InspirASIAN Southern California Chapter
IW Group, Inc.
OCA Sacramento
Copper
Center for Asian American Media
Fortinet
InspirASIAN Hawaii Chapter
InspirASIAN Houston Chapter
InspirASIAN Midwest Chapter
InspirASIAN Mountain States Chapter
InspirASIAN New Jersey Chapter
InspirASIAN St. Louis Chapter
InspirASIAN Washington Chapter
Mae Jean Go
Arlene and Paul Lum
Yen and Mike Marshall
Matt Mui
June and Ted Tom
InspirASIAN thanks the donors of our Silent Auction and Raffle
Bin Hu
Victor Kwong
Arlene Lum
MadeToOrder
Yen Marshall
Plantronics
Randy Rice
Samsung
June Tom
Greg Yata
Joshua Paul
Mae Jean Go, Event Co-Chair, thanked Veronica De La Cruz for her outstanding work as the banquet’s emcee. Mae Jean then closed out the program by thanking the sponsors, silent auction donors, speakers, presenters, planning team, volunteers, and attendees.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the award winners, honorees, and the InspirASIAN NorCal team for a memorable and exciting experience in the San Francisco Bay Area. Proceeds from the banquet will benefit the InspirASIAN National Scholarship Fund. Thanks to everyone for your support.
We’re posting more photos from the banquet at our InspirASIAN website, so come back to visit and add your comments.
Save the Date: InspirASIAN Washington will host the 2018 National Awards Banquet on August 24, 2018. Stay tuned for details.