Shirley Leung,  Assistant Managing Editor/Business News, The Boston Globe

   Tom Giratikanon, Newsroom Developer/Data Visualizer, The Boston Globe

Judges’ comments: “The newspaper exposed widespread fish mislabeling at restaurants and retail outlets in Massachusetts. The Globe documented the scope of mislabeling by taking a page out of ‘CSI’: They collected fish from 134 restaurants, grocery stores and seafood markets and hired a Canadian lab to conduct DNA testing on the samples. The analysis found that about half of the samples were sold with the wrong species name. This is ambitious community watchdog journalism that has already had an impact.

“The online presentation of ‘Fishy Business’ combined several standard digital tools — videos, animation, slide show and a searchable database of restaurants and fish outlets with correctly and incorrectly labeled fish. The series also takes advantage of responsive-design technology so that the content re-sizes dynamically to work on any device at any pixel width.”

The 2011 AAJA-Gannett watchdog winner was Sanjay Bhatt of the Seattle Times, and the inaugural winner, in 2010, was Elise Hu of the Texas Tribune. The award comes with a $5,000 prize.

Each year, the Asian American Journalists Association recognizes the best journalism in the categories of Online, Photography, Print, Radio and Television.  The 2012 winners were announced at AAJA’s Gala Awards Banquet on Aug. 3 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Issues: Online 

Momo Chang, Freelance Writer, Hyphenmagazine.com

R.J. Lozada, Videographer, Hyphenmagazine.com

“Motherhood Rooted: Asian and Pacific Islander Moms in the U.S. Embrace Ancient Post-Birth Traditions”

Judges’ comments: “The strength of ‘Motherhood Rooted’ is the voices of Asian mothers and the cultural rituals and practices they observe following the birth of their child.  The piece illuminates a movement not well known or reported in mainstream media. And the personal stories Chang tells bring to life the mythology of motherhood and what we do to protect and nurture mother and child. The sidebar and video complemented without being overly duplicative. We enjoyed, too, the recipes that helped enliven the senses.”

Asian American and Pacific Islander Issues: Photography

Paul Sakuma, Photographer, The Associated Press

“Filipino Worker Looking for Work”

Judges’ comments: ”The plight of the unemployed is often a quiet story; the jobless often face empty days of silence and painful self assessment. Photographer Sakuma helps viewers connect with the dismay of this job seeker beyond unemployment numbers and statistics.”

Asian American and Pacific Islander Issues: Radio

Momo Chang, Freelance Journalist, National Radio Project Making Contact

Pauline Bartolone, Producer and Reporter, National Radio Project Making Contact

“The Toxic Truth About Nail Salons”

Judges’ comments: “In Chang’s radio entry, we not only learn about the ‘toxic trio’ and its negative health effects, we root for the women who speak out against it. One source said she quit her job at a salon as a manicurist and became a health advocate, serving the Vietnamese-speaking community.  The narrative is loaded with chemical compounds that are hard to pronounce — kudos to Momo and her partner for their spot-on pronunciation.  ‘These women,’ she says, ‘shouldn’t have to put their health at risk to make a living.’ As a listener, you really care about these women and hope they can make a change.”

Asian American and Pacific Islander Issues: Television

David Ono, News Anchor, KABC-TV Los Angeles

“Witness: American Heroes”

Judges’ comments: “Ono elevated this local story into a national tribute. His piece could easily have been told through the use of file tape and local interviews. Instead, he took the story to its origin in Europe, guiding the audience through lesser-known historical monuments and even to remote fields that were integral to the story. Although history granted Ono mere glimpses of untold battles, he was able to weave together a clear storyline by reconnecting the principal characters despite the obstacle of distance, time, and even death. Masterful.”

Unlimited Subject Matter: Online

 Moni Basu, Reporter, CNN Wire

“The War at Home”

Judges’ comments: “What made ‘The War at Home’ a standout was the reporter’s thoroughness and patience in telling one soldier’s story. The three-part series detailed the upheaval that Spc. Shane Parham found in his time in Iraq and upon his return to civilian life, a story some six years in the telling. We were impressed that Moni kept a tight focus on the narrative, and even a tighter one in the accompanying ‘in his own voice’ video replete with compelling images.”

Unlimited Subject Matter: Photography

 Conner Jay, Photojournalist

“Small Towns, Big Gangs”

Judges’ comments: The “multiple-picture entry presents a complete and disturbing view of small rural communities struggling with the scourge of gang violence.”

Unlimited Subject Matter: Print

Mina Kimes, Writer, Fortune Magazine

“America’s Hottest Export: Weapons”

Judges’ comments: “Impressive for its thorough reporting and lively writing. Judges called it a comprehensive and well-researched piece that looked at how U.S. defense contractors have begun targeting customers abroad as funding for weapons dries up at home. It unraveled a complicated and potentially dry topic, and turned it into a riveting piece of journalism.”

Daisuke Wakabayashi, Staff Reporter, The Wall Street Journal

“Making Home Sweet Again”

Judges’ comments: “A moving account about a Japanese baker finding purpose in his craft after a devastating tsunami took almost everything from him. Stories of death and loss abounded in the wake of the tsunami, but the story of one man’s resiliency and his sense of hope was truly powerful.”

Unlimited Subject Matter: Radio

Yowei Shaw, Freelance Audio Producer, WNYC’s Studio 360

“My Parents’ Extreme Tango Makeover”

Judges’ comments: “It was a thoughtful and interesting way of explaining a universal story: Sometimes it’s weird seeing our parents as adults once we’ve become one, too. The story was fun when it was awkward (like seeing her parents doing the sexy tango) and tender when it was sad (the crying instructor and the dad talking about dying while dancing with a beautiful woman). The conversational tone really kept me listening.”

Unlimited Subject Matter: Television

 Troy Espera, Writer/Producer, ABS-CBN Global’s Adobo Nation

“Sari Sari, Etc: United Playaz”

Judges’ comments: “Troy Espera’s piece about the urban Filipino is refreshing, edgy and newsworthy. I especially enjoyed how the quick edits reflected the uncertainty of the lives of the people featured in the story. Espera allowed the subjects of his Adobo Nation piece to tell their own stories, in their own voices, and in their own way. They dispel the myth that Asian Americans are timid, shy and quiet. These young people know what they want, and Espera is able to capture that in his piece. Heart-tugging, compelling and raw. Definitely deserves a second, and third, and fourth look.”

The 2012 AAJA Advisory Board (and a few stand-ins). [Photo by Joe Nguyen]

This is the text of an address prepared by AAJA National President Doris Truong for the AAJA General Membership Meeting on Aug. 2, 2012, at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas:

Thank you to each of you for being here today.

To paraphrase another president, one whose last name starts with O, the state of our association is strong.

I’m pleased to inform you that after holding steady at 1,400 members for several years, AAJA’s ranks have grown to more than 1,600 — and we have the most Platinum members ever. For anyone who isn’t aware of the Platinum membership, not only are you digging deeper to support AAJA, you are getting greater returns: One of the biggest benefits is that the convention registration is included in your $750 dues. Our Membership Services Director, Antonio Salas, can work with you to set up an installment plan — it’s how I can afford to be a Platinum member. I would love to see 2013 set a new record for AAJA membership, especially at the Platinum level.

For those of you who arrived yesterday to participate in the half-day or day-long training, you have a sense of how much this year’s program is focused on helping you be a better journalist. We’re not all working in expansive newsrooms anymore. Many more people are backpack journalists or expected to be, and AAJA is helping you to succeed by giving you tools for that backpack. Be sure to check out sessions planned on data visualization, creating your own maps and being healthy on deadline.

The 60-plus programs on this week’s schedule are thanks in large part to the months of hard work by UNITY’s two programming co-chairs, who were chosen from AAJA and NAHJ. We are fortunate that veteran convention programmer Paul Cheung was able to take on this time-intensive role, and he had strong support from Ted Kim — our secretary — and Victoria Lim, who represents Florida on our Advisory Board. Let’s give a round of applause to the three of them for their tireless work to line up the best possible training with top-notch presenters.

As I mentioned at yesterday’s opening, AAJA has fully updated our “Handbook to Covering Asian America.” It’s at AAJA.org. In the coming months, we will improve search functions and add links, but this resource is ready for distribution now. Special thanks go to Tony Ramirez, who did the heavy lifting on the original handbook in 2000. Tony, Maya Blackmun and SAJA’s Prabha Natarajan did the bulk of the revisions, so we are all in their debt.  I will be assembling an ad-hoc group to review requests for  further revisions. Please let me know of people who can help, especially those with Asian American studies backgrounds or extensive editing experience.

We are continuing to fundraise for the Power of One. During the convention, be on the lookout for our AAJA Men of Broadcast, who will be selling our calendar at the greatly reduced rate of only $5. Get yours autographed, not just by cover boy George Kiriyama but by former VPs of Broadcast Randall Yip and Stanton Tang, and by our young guns Archith Seshadri, Shawn Chitnis, Chris Jose and Chris Nguyen. And be sure to look for Mr. April, Brian Tong (the “Asian Usher”), at tomorrow’s karaoke night. Plus, former National President Lloyd LaCuesta is here to sign calendars, too.

Speaking of karaoke, this year will be the inaugural UNITY Idol competition. We will have a trophy for the winner, but more important, all the funds raised help AAJA.

We are just getting started on our time together for the UNITY convention, but be sure to mark your calendars for Aug. 21-24, 2013, when Brooke Camp and Michelle Yu will co-chair AAJA’s national convention in New York City. It will be the first time we will be in the Big Apple since 2000, and we are excited to be in the heart of the action at the Hilton in Midtown.

AAJA is committed to our core programs, which build a pipeline for career journalists. This summer, our JCamp for high-schoolers graduated its 12th class, and we now have more than 500 JCamp alumni. Be sure to check out the JCamp blog: jcamplive.aaja.org. We also had a successful relaunch of our Executive Leadership Program under the direction of Bob Der and Justin Tejada, who are keeping true to ELP founder Dinah Eng’s vision but incorporating new elements in our signature professional training program.

And remember that when I was elected in 2010 I pledged to visit all of our chapters? I am 90 percent of the way through my tour of AAJA Nation. My final two visits will be Minnesota and Texas this fall. It has been a remarkable journey, getting to see each of our chapters in person. And I hope that you have felt supported during my administration. I will continue to be at your service as president through the end of 2012, so please let me know if you want to schedule time to talk about how AAJA can better serve your needs.

[Photo of Doris Truong by Hyungwon Kang]

During its annual convention, the Asian American Journalists Association salutes outstanding members for excellence in service to the journalism industry and the organization. Each year, the national officers select the Member of the Year, Chapter President of the Year and Chapter of the Year. A committee of broadcast members chooses the Broadcast Mentor of the Year and the Broadcast Mentee of the Year. A group of Executive Leadership Program graduates names the ELP Leadership Award winner.

2012 Members of the Year

Julie Tam of AAJA-Texas: She was the dynamo behind the success of the AAJA 2012 Men of Broadcast calendar. Starting in late 2010, she kept a committee on track through the process of calling for nominees to be featured, and she helped drive online voting for the calendar finalists, raising more than $10,000 for AAJA. She contacted the newsroom and alma mater of men nominated for inclusion. During last year’s AAJA national convention in Detroit, Julie was the consummate saleswoman, always ready with a smile and a calendar. For all her hours of calling attention to AAJA’s male broadcasters and her mighty efforts to put the calendar into as many hands as possible, AAJA recognizes Julie Tam as a 2012 AAJA Member of the Year.

MediaWatch Co-Chairs Bobby Caina Calvan of AAJA-D.C. and Jam Sardar of AAJA-Michigan: One of AAJA’s missions is “to research and point out when news media organizations stray from accuracy and fairness in the coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.” Toward this important effort, two people have kept AAJA on track: MediaWatch Co-Chairs Bobby Caina and Jam Sardar. Under their leadership in 2011, MediaWatch addressed Rush Limbaugh’s mockery of Chinese President Hu Jintao during a state visit, as well as an erroneous report by WCCO-TV about dog meat being sold in New York’s Chinatown. Earlier this year, MediaWatch’s fast responses were key in how to report fairly, accurately and sensitively on the Jeremy Lin phenomenon. Bobby and Jam have moderated lively discussions about the role of MediaWatch and pointed to other AAPI resources for cases outside the scope of MediaWatch. Without the steady guidance of AAJA’s MediaWatch co-chairs, AAJA would not be as effective as a journalism watchdog. For Bobby and Jam’s tireless MediaWatch work and willingness to be a resource to our fellow journalists, AAJA congratulates them on being 2012 AAJA Members of the Year.

2012 President of the Year
Julie Shaw of AAJA-Philadelphia: Her focus upon joining the chapter in 2010 was to increase membership. Julie focused on one-on-one outreach to share the value of AAJA, steadily building a strong base of new energy and encouraging member renewals. Throughout her presidency, she has been in contact with her chapter, highlighting the work the organization as well as news from community partners. One of her initiatives — one not seen regularly from other chapter presidents — has been the sharing of story ideas on issues of relevance to Asian Americans. She has worked with the local board to reach out to Philadelphians through Media Access workshops and chapter fundraisers. Julie has also expanded the chapter’s collaborations with our fellow journalism organizations. At the heart of a strong chapter is a capable leader, and AAJA congratulates Julie on being the 2012 AAJA Chapter President of the Year.

2012 Chapter of the Year

AAJA-Asia: The Asia chapter has had exponential growth throughout 2011 and continuing this year. But the chapter has not only grown in size, it has expanded its ambitions. AAJA-Asia President Ken Moritsugu has been an innovator in repositioning the chapter’s vice presidents to have regional footholds in Hong Kong, Seoul and Beijing. And the chapter has been nimble at meeting member needs. When members said they wanted more professional training opportunities, the chapter delivered a regional conference in Hong Kong. Asia has also made its mark in reporting breaking news. Numerous members in Japan provided firsthand accounts of last year’s triple disaster, and members in Seoul were on top of covering Kim Jong-il’s death and its worldwide ramifications. The chapter isn’t all business, though: Regular meet-ups are scheduled in a variety of cities to increase camaraderie and facilitate networking (journalists in Beijing recently had an exclusive reception with Ambassador Gary Locke). AAJA-Asia is raising the bar for our other 20 chapters. AAJA’s national officers commend Ken and all our Asia-based members for being our 2012 AAJA Chapter of the Year. [In photo: AAJA-Asia Advisory Board representative Chi-Chi Zhang of CNN and Chapter President Ken Moritsugu of the Associated Press in Bangkok.]

2012 Broadcast Mentor of the Year

The judges were unanimous in their decision to vote Ti-Hua Chang as Broadcast Mentor of the Year. One of the other nominees for this award, CeFaan Kim, was the nominator. CeFaan wrote that not only did Ti-Hua help with his writing, reporting and his voice, Ti-Hua has also been a journalistic moral compass for him. CeFaan also said he wouldn’t be in a position to mentor somebody else had he not learned from Ti-Hua. That lasting legacy and the knowledge of Ti-Hua’s longtime dedication to AAJA made him the clear choice for the award.

2012 Broadcast Mentee of the Year

The judges proudly select Rowena Li as Broadcast Mentee of the Year. Even through e-mail, Rowena has developed a sincere and rewarding relationship with her mentor. She displayed great maturity over a 10-month period — so much that her mentor now refers to her as a colleague and friend. Most of all, Rowena showed tremendous growth in the AAJA mentoring program. Her mentor, E. Samantha Cheng, wrote, “Through her writings, she demonstrated her passion for reporting and an innate ability to identify a potential story.”

ELP Leadership Award

The honor goes to Jam Sardar, news director at WLNS-TV in Lansing, Mich., and a 2007 Executive Leadership Program graduate.

Not only has Jam given back to AAJA consistently, first by being in the high-profile role of National Vice President of Broadcast and now as chair of MediaWatch, but he has been in a position to hire and promote diversity in his newsroom as one of a handful of Asian American news directors in the nation. Jam is also a regional director for the Radio Television Digital News Association, bringing his AAJA experiences to the table for a group whose decision-makers have traditionally been white middle-aged men. And as the most visible face of MediaWatch, Jam has been cool under pressure. He is consistent about what types of issues MediaWatch will address, yet is open to rethinking his perspective as the situation merits. He has been an excellent spokesman of AAJA’s position, including smoothly bantering with a less-than-informed radio host earlier this year about the Jeremy Lin advisory. His work on Lin coverage has been one of AAJA’s highlights of the past year, and the judges applaud him for his leadership on it.

2012 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

This award honors an Asian American or Pacific Islander who has demonstrated courage and commitment to the principles of journalism over the course of a life’s work.

CURTISS KIM

Kim has loyally served the Asian American journalism community for more than 35 years. As one of the first and most highly respected Asian American radio news reporters in Kim’s native Bay Area, his 15 years at KNBR included stories on the arrest and trial of Patty Hearst, the assassinations of San Francisco Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk, and the trial of convicted would-be presidential assassin Lynette “Squeaky” Fromme.  Kim was a reporter and anchor for 11 years with KFTY-TV in Santa Rosa, Calif. He has been an anchor/reporter for Comcast Cable’s North Bay Report for 14 years and continues his popular North Bay Trials reports that are now heard on KSRO Radio. Kim has won multiple awards, including from the Associated Press and the Radio Television News Directors Association for both feature reporting and hard-news coverage, two national Telly Awards and the Western Media Association honor for Best Community News. He is the co-coordinator of the Asian American Radio Group, serving as a mentor and friendly ear to anyone interested in a career in radio.

2012 LEADERSHIP IN DIVERSITY AWARD

This award honors an individual, corporation or organization making strides in promoting and demonstrating diversity in the news media industry. The Leadership in Diversity Award winner is selected by the AAJA National Officers.

Since 2005, the Annie E. Casey Foundation has been AAJA’s partner in ensuring a pipeline of journalism diversity. The foundation’s commitment to AAJA’s JCamp helps us train the next generation of journalists. Over the past eight years, Annie E. Casey has contributed more than a quarter-million dollars to support the success of JCamp. Annie E. Casey and JCamp share a mission to enrich the lives of disadvantaged children in the United States. With the foundation’s financial backing, JCamp has continued to reach out to a broad spectrum of students, including those from varied socioeconomic backgrounds. Together, we recognize that a diversity of voices and experiences is necessary for a broad perspective in 21st-century newsrooms and to best serve news consumers. 
With appreciation for the investment that the Annie E. Casey Foundation has placed in JCamp and its 500 graduates, AAJA recognizes the foundation as the 2012 Leadership in Diversity winner.

2012 DR. SUZANNE AHN AWARD FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

This award is named in honor of the late Dr. Ahn, who devoted her life to promoting civil rights and social justice for all Americans, especially women and Asian Americans. This award is given in recognition of excellence in coverage of Asian American/Pacific Islander civil rights and/or or social justice issues.

JACKY TIK WONG

Jacky Tik Wong, a reporter for Sing Tao Daily New York, drove investigative journalism that led to local and national coverage of the death of U.S. Army Pvt. Danny Chen. The shocking details of the abusive acts and racist taunts Chen suffered before his death triggered attention from New York to Beijing, further news coverage, advocacy regarding hazing and discrimination in the armed forces and the demand that the officers involved be held accountable. Eight soldiers — all of superior rank to Chen — were arrested on a variety of charges including negligent homicide. Both Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta issued condemnations of hazing. Wong was nominated for a fearless spirit in seeking the truth that insisted that the military owes Chen’s family and the community a thorough investigation of, a proper accounting for, Chen’s death. The Dr. Suzanne Ahn Award panel, consisting of Dr. Ahn’s family, said Wong’s “hard-hitting piece of journalism embodied the spirit of the award.”

2012 SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD

This award honors a person who has helped to advance AAJA’s goals.

BRYAN CHU

Chu embodies the spirit of AAJA’s commitment to diversity. He is being recognized for his work in profiling Jeremy Lin, an American basketball player with the New York Knicks. Chu’s coverage of Lin is unmatched by any other journalist because his reporting predated “Linsanity,” starting from when Lin was an Ivy League star at Harvard University. Chu’s widely read Bleacher Report article on Lin as a source of Asian American inspiration chronicles Lin’s ability to rise above all obstacles. Chu showed how any Asian American could draw inspiration from what is unquestionably one of the biggest moments in Asian American history. By seizing on Lin’s ascension, Chu raised the public’s awareness about the challenges of being Asian American today.

Please join AAJA at the following events at the UNITY12 Convention

Wednesday through Friday (August 1-3, 2012)

• 8:00 am-5:00 pm – AAJA Kiosk, Booth No. 1021, Media Showcase and Career Expo

Thursday, August 2

• 12:15 pm -2:00 pm – AAJA Membership Meeting, Breaker G
• 5:30pm -8:00pm – ELP Fireside Chat, South Pacific Ballroom B Sponsored by Comcast. Advanced registration is required for this event. Please reserve your spot here.  Questions? Contact MarciaS@aaja.org

Friday, August 3

• 5:30pm -6:50pm – AAJA Silent Auction, Islander F&G
• 7:00pm - 9:15pm –  AAJA Gala Banquet,  Islander H&I  Sponsored by Chevrolet & OnStar
• 9:30pm – Midnight –  UNITY Karaoke Idol 2012,  Islander A&B  Sponsored by AARP.

Do you have what it takes to be the next Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood?

Here is your chance to compete in the inaugural Unity Karaoke Idol, a fundraiser for AAJA!

The competition will take place at the beginning of karaoke night on Friday, Aug. 3, 2012 and begin promptly at 10:30 p.m. Prize TBD!

Cost (donation to AAJA): Individual: $25 Up to four people: $50 Up to 10 people: $100

We are accepting up to 10 contestants. Sign up early to ensure your spot!

Questions? Please message Ellen Lee at ellenleeonline@gmail.com.

Saturday, August 4

• 8:00 am-5:00 pm – AAJA Advisory Board Meeting, Lagoon D

Sunday, August 5

• 8am – Noon – AAJA Governing Board Meeting (Room TBD)

Sponsored by

Clockwise from top left: Suvir Saran, Ben Huh, Robert Santos, Renee Chou, Patranya Bhoolsuwan and Michael Kim.

June 1, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO — The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) is pleased to welcome two distinguished speakers for the 2012 AAJA Gala Awards Banquet. Chef and cookbook author Suvir Saran and Internet entrepreneur Ben Huh will offer their perspectives on the importance of journalism in an increasingly multicultural, interconnected world.

The Gala Awards Banquet will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3, in Islander Ballrooms H and I at the Mandalay Bay, in conjunction with the UNITY Journalists convention.

“Food is the language that unites so many of us in AAJA, so we are excited to have Suvir joining us in Las Vegas to share not only his passion for healthy eating but also his experiences as an Asian in America,” said Doris Truong, AAJA National President. “And Ben has built an empire around the principle of making people happy for five minutes a day, so we are eager for more details about his new start-up, Circa, which plans to re-imagine the way news is delivered.”

Saran, who was born in New Delhi, said that living as a minority in the United States has been a “rather interesting study.”

“Over the last 20 years I have faced hate for being gay, for looking different, for having an accent and for thinking differently than what is commonly considered correct,” Saran said. “And so, I rely on journalists that come from backgrounds such as mine, even more so, as I feel they can better understand the need for us to have open dialogue and active reporting of such diversity and the challenges it poses.”

Saran is executive chef of Dévi, the first Indian restaurant in the United States to earn an Michelin star. He is working on his next restaurant concept around Indian dining in Chicago, and his most recent cookbook, “Masala Farm,” was a 2012 James Beard award finalist.

AAJA’s other featured speaker during the Gala Awards Banquet is the chief executive and founder of Cheezburger. Huh is a journalist-turned-dot-com-entrepreneur credited with bringing Internet memes to a mainstream audience and popularizing Internet culture.

“Ben is the perfect person to talk to journalists about how to make the connection with an audience experiencing information overload,” Truong said.

The AAJA Gala Awards Banquet will be co-emceed by ESPN “SportsCenter” anchor Michael Kim and Patranya Bhoolsuwan, a weekend morning anchor for KLAS, the CBS affiliate in Las Vegas.  Immediately preceding the gala Aug. 3 will be AAJA’s Silent Auction, which will be co-emceed Renee Chou of WRAL in Raleigh, N.C., and Robert Santos of KGTV in San Diego.

Suvir Saran photo by Jim Franco

Media Contact: AAJA Executive Director Kathy Chow

• E-mail: kathyc@aaja.org
• Telephone: 415-346-2051, Ext. 106
• Mailing address: 5 Third St., Suite 1108, San Francisco, Calif. 94103

The Asian American Journalists Association is a nonprofit professional and educational organization with more than 1,500 members across the United States and in Asia. Founded in 1981, AAJA has been at the forefront of change in the journalism industry. AAJA’s mission is to encourage Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) to enter the ranks of journalism, to work for fair and accurate coverage of AAPIs, and to increase the number of AAPI journalists and news managers in the industry. AAJA is an alliance partner in UNITY Journalists, along with the Native American Journalists Association, the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association. For more information about AAJA, visit www.aaja.org.