Daniel Dae Kim, Justin Chon, Chloe Kim, Eric Nam, and John Suh to be Honored at 10th Anniversary CKA Gala
Washington, D.C. – The Council of Korean Americans (CKA) is proud to announce the honorees for the 2021 CKA Gala: “Reclaiming Our Narrative | Redefining Our Future.” This year’s honorees have used their voice to advocate for the Asian American community, spoken out, and taken a stand against anti-Asian hate, and helped us tell our own stories in our voices.
This year’s honorees include:
- Justin Chon (Actor, Screenwriter & Director)
- Chloe Kim (Olympic Gold Medalist & Snowboarder)
- Daniel Dae Kim (Actor, Producer & Activist)
- Eric Nam (Singer/Songwriter & Co-Founder of DIVE Studios)
- John Suh (Former CEO of LegalZoom & Entrepreneur)
Justin Chon (Actor, Screenwriter & Director) – 2021 CKA Trailblazer Award
Award-winning actor, screenwriter, and director Justin Chon is known for his multiple films that tell the stories of the Asian American community. His first film, Gook (2017), set during the LA Riots, won numerous awards. He followed up the film with Ms. Purple (2019) and Blue Bayou (2021). Mr. Chon has spoken out about the racism he has experienced as an Asian American in the entertainment industry.
Chloe Kim (Olympic Gold Medalist & Snowboarder) – 2021 CKA Inspire Award
Olympian Chloe Kim broke barriers when she became the youngest gold medal winner at the 2015 X Games. She continued her success, becoming the youngest gold medal winner in the halfpipe at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games held in Pyeongchang, South Korea. As the daughter of South Korean immigrants, her success was celebrated by Koreans across the globe. Recently, Ms. Kim has used her platform to speak out against anti-Asian hate, sharing her personal experiences as a young Korean American woman who has often been one of the only minorities in her school and her sport.
Daniel Dae Kim (Actor and Producer) – 2021 CKA Voice and Leadership Award
One of the most recognizable and outspoken Asian American actors and producers, Daniel Dae Kim, is known for his roles on television and in the movies, including Lost, Hawaii Five-0, and Raya and the Last Dragon. A longtime advocate for diversity and inclusion, he serves on the Advisory Board of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Recently, Mr. Kim has organized and spoken out against anti-Asian hate, supported victims, and delivered powerful testimony before Congress.
Eric Nam (Singer & Songwriter) – 2021 CKA Embrace Unity Award
Eric Nam is a multifaceted Korean American singer, songwriter, entertainer, and TV personality. He is one of Asia’s most popular and recognizable celebrities, named GQ Korea’s Man of the Year and Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia. Following the Atlanta Shooting in his hometown on March 16, 2021, Eric spoke out publicly against the rising tide of anti-Asian sentiment and his own experience with racism. Today, he uses his global platform to spread awareness about anti-Asian hate and address mental health issues in the Asian American community.
John Suh (Former CEO of LegalZoom & Entrepreneur) – 2021 CKA Empower Award
John Suh is an investor and entrepreneur who most recently served as CEO of LegalZoom, growing the company twenty-five times in size into a nationally recognized brand. He has served as the CEO of multiple companies and grown them throughout the business lifecycle. In addition, Mr. Suh has been a philanthropist and mentor committed to developing the next generation of leaders in the Korean American community, including serving on the Network of Korean American Leaders, the Mirae Foundation, and supporting the Korean American Student Conference (KASCON).
The honorees will be recognized at CKA’s 10th-anniversary gala program on the evening of Saturday, October 23rd. This year’s celebration will be a hybrid event with a televised live program viewed by up to a thousand participants and dozens of group watch parties organized across the country, including Los Angeles and Washington, DC.
Learn more about the honorees and this year’s gala at www.ckagala.org
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The Council of Korean Americans is a national nonprofit organization. Our mission is to advance the national voice, interest, and influence of the Korean American community through education, collaboration, and leadership development.
For more information, contact:
Ruth Song
Director of Operations & Programming
media@councilka.org
202-660-0900