The APALA Convention Awards are given to outstanding union leaders and community allies.
Three of the awards are named after Asian American labor pioneers—Philip Vera Cruz, Vincent Food, and Art Takei—whose dedication, leadership, and passion inspired a new generation of Asian American and Pacific Islander organizers. The John Delloro award emphasizes APALA’s long-standing commitment to strengthen student and worker solidarity. Our newest award, the Tam Tran Freedom Fighter award grounds us in an intersectional movement where we are fighting for low-wage working people, people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ folks, etc.
Three of the awards are named after Asian American labor pioneers—Philip Vera Cruz, Vincent Food, and Art Takei—whose dedication, leadership, and passion inspired a new generation of Asian American and Pacific Islander organizers. The John Delloro award emphasizes APALA’s long-standing commitment to strengthen student and worker solidarity. Our newest award, the Tam Tran Freedom Fighter award grounds us in an intersectional movement where we are fighting for low-wage working people, people of color, immigrants, women, LGBTQ folks, etc.
Art Takei Leadership Award
The Art Takei Leadership Award is given to an outstanding APALA member who has exemplified strong leadership within APALA or their union. The award was inspired by the life of Art Takei, a founder of APALA and our Los Angeles Chapter. Art Takei began his union career at UFCW Local 770 in Los Angeles in 1954. He served UFCW for over 36 years and held many important union posts, including Director of Organizing and Assistant to the President. |
Philip Vera Cruz Lifetime Achievement Award
The Philip Vera Cruz Lifetime Achievement Award is given to an outstanding Asian American and Pacific Islander union organizer whose career honors the memory of the historic labor and community leader, Philip Vera Cruz. In his 50 years in the labor movement, Philip Vera Cruz fought for the rights of all farm workers and helped create the United Farm Workers Union, where he served as the highest-ranking Filipino officer. |
Tam Tran Freedom Fighter Award
The Tam Tran Freedom Fighter Award is given to an APALA member who is leading efforts to build bridges between the labor movement and other movements for social justice. Tam Tran was a pioneering undocumented activist in the immigrant youth movement. As a leading national advocate for the DREAM Act, Tran testified before the US Congressional Immigration Subcommittee in 2007 at great personal risk. Her untimely death in 2010 galvanized the movement she left behind. |
John Delloro Trailblazer Award
The John Delloro Trailblazer Award, initiated at the Generations United, Organizing for Change Convention in 2009, is given to an outstanding student, young leader, or youth advocacy organization committed to worker, immigrant, and civil rights. The John Delloro Award, named in honor of a former APALA National President, AFT member, and SEIU organizer was launched to reinforce APALA’s long- standing commitment to multi-generational leadership in the labor movement. |
Vincent Foo Organization Award
The Vincent Foo Organization Award is given to an outstanding local or worker organization working with the AAPI community. The award is named after founding board member and former national SEIU executive board member, Vincent Foo. For over 23 years, Vincent Foo served as the dedicated and successful President of SEIU Local 500, representing workers in the Maryland suburbs. |
President’s Award
The President's Award honors longtime community leaders, organizers, and activists who have made significant contributions towards economic, racial, and social justice for the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. |
Past Awardees
2021 Convention Honorees
2017 Convention Honorees
2015 Convention Honorees
2013 Convention Honorees
2011 Convention Honorees
2009 Convention Honorees
2007 Convention Honorees
2005 Convention Honorees
2001 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Jigme Ugen, SEIU Healthcare Minnesota, Minnesota Chapter President
- Vincent Foo Award: Chinese Progressive Association Boston
- John Delloro Award: Emmelle Israel, YLC Chair, Los Angeles Chapter member
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Dean Murakami, CTA-AFT, Sacramento Chapter founder
- Tam Tran Award: Cindy Domingo, ILWU Local 37, Seattle Chapter member
- President's Award: Michael Yee, IBEW Local 3, New York Chapter member
- Art Takei Award: Kat General, IFPTE Local 21 Field Director
- Vincent Foo Award: United Teachers Los Angeles
- John Delloro Award: Eunice How, APALA Seattle Chapter President, UNITE HERE Local 8 Organizer
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Jessica Tang, Boston Teachers Union President, APALA National Executive Board Member, APALA Massachusetts Founding Member
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Leon Chow, SEIU Local 2015 Organizer
- Tam Tran Award: Gregory Cendena, President and Co-Founder of Can’t Stop! Won’t Stop! Consulting
2017 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Steven Moy, IBEW Local 3 Executive Board & APALA National Executive Board Member
- Vincent Foo Award: SEIU API Caucus
- John Delloro Award: Yves Gomes, UFCW Local 400 Member, APALA Young Leaders Council & National Executive Board Member
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Arlene Inouye, UTLA Secretary & APALA National Executive Board Member
- President’s Award: Kent Wong, UCLA Labor Center
2015 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Monica Thammarath, NEA & Virginia Eng, AFT/UFT
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Luisa Blue, SEIU
- Vincent Foo Award: Julio Perez, Orange County Labor Federation
- John Delloro Award: Cristina Jimenez, United We Dream
2013 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Laura Reyes, AFSCME
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Kim Geron, Alameda Chapter
- Vincent Foo Award: Ted Pappageorge, Culinary Workers Local 226
- John Delloro Award: Carmen Berkley, Generational Alliance
2011 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Alex Hing, UNITE HERE Local 6; Guy Fujimura, ILWU; Lenny Moy, IBEW Local 3, Marian Thom, UFT/AFT Local 2; and May Chen, Workers United
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Robert Li, SEIU Local 521
- Vincent Foo Award: Doug Moore & Laura Reyes, UDW- AFSCME
- John Delloro Award: Titi Liu, Asian Law Caucus; Lisa Chen, ASPIRE-Asian Law Caucus; and David Cho, ASPIRE-IDEAS at UCLA
2009 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Victor Uno, IBEW 595
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Johanna Hester, UDW- AFSCME
- Vincent Foo Award: SEIU 521
- Generations Rising Award: United States Students Association
2007 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Shwe Aung, SIU
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Houston Organization of Public Employees
- Vincent Foo Award: APALA Nevada
2005 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Gloria T. Caoile, AFSCME
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Culinary Workers 226
- Vincent Foo Award: Josie Camacho
2001 Convention Honorees
- Art Takei Award: Russell K. Okata, GHEA/AFSCME Local 152
- Philip Vera Cruz Award: Raahi Reddy, SEIU Local 715
- Vincent Foo Award: SFO Organizing Project
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