The Asian American Journalists Association is proud to announce that award-winning news anchor and filmmaker David Ono, our 2026 Suzanne Ahn Civic Engagement & Social Justice Award recipient, will put the $5,000 reward towards his nonprofit Story Boldly. Story Boldly, founded over ten years ago, is centered around the power of innovative storytelling, highlighting previously untold narratives through layered perspectives.
AAJA previously collaborated with lifetime member Ono and Story Boldly at our 2022 convention in Los Angeles for a special showing of “Defining Courage,” a multimedia immersive experience that captures the story of Nisei soldiers during World War II. Since then, Ono has continued building upon “Defining Courage,” adding original music composed for the performance, and tailoring the experience to new audiences across the country. With the $5,000 gift from AAJA’s award, Story Boldly will continue its vital work, shedding light on stories that would otherwise remain overlooked.
Since 2003, AAJA’s Suzanne Ahn Civic Engagement & Social Justice Award has supported leaders in storytelling, generously funded by an endowment set up by Ahn’s family. Dr. Suzanne Insook Ahn was a prominent neurologist, activist and philanthropist dedicated to advancing the rights of Asian Americans and women.
We are grateful to be able to honor Ahn’s legacy, uplift Ono’s work, and support organizations like Story Boldly that align with our mission to advocate for stronger representation and inclusion for AAPIs. This award and Ono’s reinvestment into Story Boldly reflect the power of our community’s work, and the impact they hold on the undiscovered stories that lie ahead.
#######
