"What I find most rewarding is witnessing individuals transform from self-doubt and isolation to their evolution as confident and empowered advocates for themselves and their community."

Jury Candelario has been an AIDS advocate since 1995. He began as a volunteer providing psychosocial and emotional support for terminally ill AIDS patients as part of the "Buddy Program." He officially joined Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) in 1998 serving in various capacities including Substance Use Coordinator, Mental Health Coordinator and Associate Director, and eventually taking the leadership helm as Principal Research Investigator and Division Director in 2002. APAIT is the largest and most comprehensive provider of HIV/AIDS programs and services for the Asian and Pacific Islander community of Southern California.

"I enjoy working with people, being with people...to see the diverse community of Southern California come together to enjoy culture and involve themselves in our culture is priceless."

Deputy Chief Terry S. Hara is the Commanding Officer of the Los Angeles Police Department's Personnel and Training Bureau (PTB), the first Asian American awarded that rank. As the Commanding Officer of PTB, he is responsible for overseeing the administration of human resources for the Department and the training of police recruits. In addition to his numerous accolades in law enforcement, Deputy Chief Hara also deeply believes in giving back to the Asian Pacific American community, volunteering with a variety of educational and cultural organizations.

Over the past 35 years, Ted Tokio Tanaka, FAIA, has made significant contributions to the cultivation of Greater Los Angeles urban landscapes. Tanaka's architecture reflects his commitment to the creation of innovative spaces that assert clarity, simplicity, and elegance. His unique blend of artistic elegance and pragmatism asserts itself in his community involvement, as well, especially in his leadership of the Asia American Symphony Organization.

"What drives me is a sense of justice, a desire to help people who have been wronged in some way and to have their voices heard."

Karin Wang is Vice-President of Programs at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), the nation's largest legal and civil rights organization serving Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Before assuming her current position, Karin directed APALC's immigrant rights project and was instrumental in filing a landmark civil rights complaint against Los Angeles County on behalf of limited-English-speaking welfare recipients. Her organization's efforts led to major reforms in regard to the department's services to immigrants, as well as a payment of $1.7 million in back benefits. Karin also ran the first Los Angeles field office of the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office for Civil Rights, enforcing federal civil rights laws across the Southwest.