Rep. Dave Min Hosts Sixth Annual AANHPI Empowerment Summit

Irvine, CA - Following a tradition first started during his time as a California State Senator, Representative Dave Min (CA-47) hosted his sixth annual Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Empowerment Summit to recognize the contributions of key AANHPI leaders he represents in Orange County.

"I am so proud to represent such an amazingly diverse and talented AANHPI community," said Rep. Min. "At a time when diversity, immigration, and economic opportunity are under attack, it is more important- and gratifying- than ever that we celebrate the accomplishments of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community. It is an incredible honor to be able to recognize these leaders".

This year's panelists included:

Christopher Fan, UC Irvine English and Asian American Studies Professor

Christopher Fan serves as an Associate Professor of English and American Studies at UC Irvine. He is a senior editor at Hyphen magazine, which he co-founded, and sits on the editorial board of American Literary History. His research focuses on 20/21st c. Anglophone and Asian/American cultural production, Northeast Asian political economy, speculative fiction, and Taiwan studies.

Dr. Ravi Jandhyala, Cardiologist at Kaiser Irvine

Dr. Ravi Jandhyla is an Irvine resident who practices cardiology at Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Ravi Jandhyla specializes in angiograms, angioplasty, and the treatment of coronary artery disease through stents and other advanced cardiac procedures. Beyond his bedside work he organizes hiking groups and creative ways to engage with his community to encourage healthy lifestyle choices to prevent heart disease.

Edward Lee, President of BCD Tofu House

Edward Lee is a Korean American and President of BCD Tofu House, a restaurant group founded by his mother, Hee Sook Lee, in Koreatown, Los Angeles in 1996. Following her passing, Edward assumed leadership and has expanded the brand to over 11 locations, with the Irvine restaurant serving as a staple in the local community.

Dr. Alethea Hsu, President of Diamond Jamboree

Dr. Alethea Hsu is a Taiwanese American who serves as President of Diamond Jamboree Development Group. She previously co-developed Diamond Plaza in Rowland Heights in 1990, pioneering a successful Asian fusion retail concept. Building on that success, she led the development of Diamond Jamboree in Irvine, which opened in 2008 and quickly became a major regional destination despite launching during an economic recession.

Bandana Kaur Singh, Seva Collective Leader and Lawyer

Bandana Kaur Singh is an Irvine resident, lawyer, and co-founder and CEO of Seva Collective, a Santa Ana-based nonprofit food pantry that has grown into one of the largest food distribution networks in Southern California. Inspired by her Sikh faith, she emphasizes compassion, service, and community uplift. She has championed youth volunteerism and launched a Youth Leadership Program, while innovating services like a drive-thru pantry to reduce stigma and improve access to nutritious food.

Nishtha Mohendra, CEO Friendship Shelter

Nishtha Mohendra serves as CEO of Friendship Shelter in Laguna Beach. A longtime leader in community-based services, she previously worked with Families Forward in Orange County and now leads the organization's efforts to support individuals experiencing homelessness.

Dr. Miriam Saada, Ph.D Professor, Author, Documentarian

Dr. Miriam Saada is an Irvine resident who is a professor, author, and documentarian. Born in Paris, she is multilingual in French, Arabic, English, Spanish, and Portuguese. She holds a Ph.D. in Spanish Historical Linguistics from UCLA, with academic work focused on the connections between the Arabic-Islamic world and Hispanic civilization. Her documentary "Ojalá Supieras (I Wish You Knew)" is now playing in select screenings statewide.

This year's celebration also featured cultural performances from:

EcoEcho Foundation, a youth-led nonprofit committed to using music as a tool for inclusion, healing, and equity. The students performed orchestral arrangements of popular music while wearing traditional Korean hanbok.

Aloha Seniors, a Costa Mesa based group of seniors who performed a traditional hula dance, celebrating Hawaiian culture. The group, coordinated by Carol Brouhle, is a program sponsored by Pacific Islander Health Partnership led by Executive Director, Ualani Ho'opai.

Sailee Charlu, an award winning high school poet, who led the audience in the pledge of allegiance, and performed an original poem celebrating our shared history and heritage.