The Asian American Scholar Forum (AASF) is honored to be recognized for its leading work in advancing the rights of Asian American and immigrant scientists, researchers, and scholars nationwide. AASF is proud to join fellow honorees Former Assemblymember Phil Ting, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Dale Minami, lead attorney for the coram nobis legal team for Fred Korematsu, who challenged the incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII.

AASF has worked tirelessly to advance rights through education, prevent harmful misguided programs and policies, and highlight the profound contributions of Asian Americans to U.S. innovation and progress. As a non-partisan organization, AASF has pushed for dialogue bridging divides, and has emphasized nuanced, data-based recommendations and approaches that help our country remain as a leader in science and technology, while upholding our democratic principles.

“We are deeply grateful to be honored alongside outstanding civil rights leaders in our community, many of whom have been in the trenches with us to advance the rights of Asian Americans and all communities,” said Gisela Perez Kusakawa, Executive Director of AASF. “As the first executive director, I am proud to see how far AASF has come thanks to the tireless efforts of our leadership, fellows, members, and supporters. We all believed in the importance of a permanent nonprofit to provide a national voice and advance the rights of our communities by creating a bridge with legal practitioners, civil rights advocates, policymakers, media, and the general public. Together, we reaffirm how essential Asian American scholars, scientists, and researchers are to the fabric of American progress, and the injustice they face living under a cloud of suspicion in their own country. At AASF, we are committed to standing up for their rights, amplifying their voices, and reshaping the national narrative to one that values and celebrates their vital contributions.”