At the Embrace Unity Symposium & Dinner, in commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Los Angeles Riots, KYCC Executive Director Johng Ho Song was honored by the Council of Korean Americans. Alongside Song, the other honorees included Constance L. Rice, Steward Kwoh and John Lim for their civil rights activism.

California State Treasurer John Chiang and California State Assembly member Miguel Santiago delivered video remarks praising Song for his leadership and commending KYCC’s 42-year-old legacy in the Koreatown community.

The event took place at the UCLA Luskin Center on April 18 and was made possible through support from SPARK, LIFT, UCLA, the Tiger Woods Foundation, the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, KCCD and the Korean American Coalition of Los Angeles as well as diverse community partners. Other notable guests in attendance included US Representatives Judy Chu and Ted Lieu, Councilmember David Ryu, director John Chang, CBS LA anchor Suzie Suh and world-renowned pianist Jeremy Jordan.

Song spoke about how the Los Angeles Riots shaped KYCC as the organization rose to respond to the needs of small-business owners in Koreatown whose livelihoods were devastated by arson and looting. The tragedy became a pivotal moment when the organization dedicated itself to serving the entire, multiethnic Koreatown community. “I’m sincerely grateful to the Council of Korean Americans for honoring me tonight at this Embrace Unity dinner,” Song said.

Song also thanked the Council for their purpose and the strengthening message they embody. “By leading policy and advocacy work,” he said, “they are working towards the betterment of our community and for Korean Americans in the future.”

The Council is a nonprofit organization of successful Korean American leaders with a mission of empowering future generations to achieve greater opportunities in America while retaining ties to Korea and a dedication to Korean American civil rights issues.