The Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center

On May 18, 2019, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center held its first annual event in Los Angeles to raise awareness about the many contributions of APAs, announce the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Keystone Initiative and raise funds for a permanent Asian Pacific American gallery at the Smithsonian.

The APA honorees of the night, awarded for their cultural impacts, included Helene An & The An Family, the chef known as “the mother of fusion cuisine”; Hiroshima, the Grammy-nominated and first Asian American R&B jazz band; Jay Park, the multi-platinum global hip hop and R&B artist, choreographer, entrepreneur, and songwriter; and Vivek Ranadive, the founder of TIBCO and owner of the Sacramento Kings.

The Party also featured special performances by Jay Park, Hiroshima, Crazy Rich Asians singer Katherine Ho and New York-based rock band Andy Suzuki & The Method.