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AALDEF honors Indian American actor activist for his advocacy and service on behalf of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) has presented a 2022 Justice in Action Award to Indian American actor, activist, and author Kal Penn for his advocacy on behalf of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Penn, 45, who also briefly worked in the White House Office of Public Engagement in the Barack Obama administration, was presented the award at a ceremony at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers in New York City on March 9.

Kalpen Suresh Modi, to give his real name, was honored for his advocacy for representation in media and his service on behalf of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, according to an AALDEF press release.

Thomas S. Kim, Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary at Thomson Reuters, also received the award for his career in service to diversity and inclusion and his bold leadership against anti-Asian hate. Kim urged the audience to “Stand up. Stand proud. Stand together.”

Former US Attorney Preet Bharara, Jurassic Park’s BD Wong, Star Trek’s George Takei among others attended AALDEF’s hybrid 2022 Lunar New Year Gala, celebrating the Year of the Tiger. Emmy Award-winning reporter Cindy Hsu of CBS2 and Sree Sreenivasan of Digimentors returned as co-emcees.