Composer and pianist Alan Chan’s music often takes inspiration from his life experiences around the world, with a take of surprising wittiness and humor. Coming from a classical background, he began composing for jazz big band under the mentorship of Gary Lindsay in Miami, then Vince Mendoza and Shelly Berg in Los Angeles, and Jim McNeely who fanned his flame of desire to create works for jazz ensembles.
Brandon Tsay demonstrated remarkable courage on January 21, 2023, when he disarmed the Monterey Park, California mass shooter during Lunar New Year celebrations. Brandon’s heroism has since been profiled with NBC News, Good Morning America, The New York Times, among others, and Brandon has been honored by US Representative Judy Chu, California Governor Gavin Newsom, the US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, the US Vice President Kamala Harris, and by the 118th US Congress, and at President Joe Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address. Brandon was awarded a medal of courage from the Alhambra Police Department and now runs the Brandon Tsay Hero Fund in partnership with the Asian Pacific Community Fund.
Asia Lui Chapa is an Author, Recipe Developer, and Video Creator best known for her Instagram account @ac_homecafe. She was born and raised between Temple City and Alhambra and fell in love with the art of making drinks in 2020. She started by posting simple drink videos for fun, and now creates recipes for coffee, tea, and everything in between. Her goal was to create easy, delicious, and eye-catching beverages that anyone can make at home. Her love for drinks was recently documented in her debut book, The Home Café: Creative Recipes for Espresso, Matcha, Tea and Coffee Drinks.
Denise Williams-Jones, RDA is a Customer Service Consultant, Speaker, Founder, and Owner of Next Level to Success. She started in the dental field in 1995, working in some of the top dental offices in Southern California, with roles including chairside assistant, inventory and supply manager, team trainer, scheduling coordinator, financial coordinator, marketing liaison, community outreach, and front office lead.
Dave Finstrom has over 30 years of small business experience, providing marketing and creative services. He owns HUTdogs with his business partner and sister, MJ, helping non-profits and businesses with their marketing and promotional campaigns. Dave has a background in marketing and technology. Earlier in his career, he worked as a representative for a quality assurance business, which provided testing of software and hardware. This interest in technology continues and is combined with his passion for marketing and creativity.
Justin Jundante, born in the Phillipines came to the US at 10 years old. Raised in West Covina, California. He was in the US Marines for 6 years and has been out for 2 years. Justin’s MOS was 0811 field artillery cannoneer. He is currently a salesperson for a coconut milk company called KokoMoo at farmer’s market in OC. Some of the previous jobs he ahs worked at are babysitting, accounting assistant, server, and HVAC assistant. I’ve been a believer for 2 years now. Some of the hobbies Justin’s enjoy are working out, hiking, volleyball, drawing and interviewing people about their Testimonies on how God found them. What he aspires to be is to not be limited on how he helps people and to not be limited on the tasks God has for him.
Vinh Truong, a Chinese/Vietnamese American, was born on February 14th, 1981, on Saint Valentine’s Day in Los Angeles, California. Coming from a family of immigrants, Vinh’s family migrated from Vietnam in 1978 and made Duarte home in 1985 when he was just four years old. Vinh is the youngest of eight children and completed K-12 in its entirety within the Duarte school district. He is a devoted husband, father, son, brother, colleague, and friend who values honesty, integrity, loyalty, kindness, and family.
A native of Commerce, California, Villa first played high school water polo with boys before girls programs were available. From there, she headed to Stanford University where she won the 2002 NCAA title and was named the Cutino Award recipient as the best player in the college game. Named FINA Player of the Decade in 2010, Villa was also named Pac-12 Player of the Century in 2016. She has stayed close to the sport as a club and high school coach while taking on governance roles within the Women’s Sports Foundation and Pan American Aquatics in addition to a spot on the USA Water Polo Board of Directors. She is a co-founder of the Brenda Villa Foundation, an organization focusing on increasing water safety and expanding diversity in aquatic sports.
Mike Sonksen aka Mike the Poet is a 3rd-generation Southern Californian. Poet, professor, journalist, historian & tour-guide, his book Letters to My City was published by Writ Large Press. For 25 years Mike has given tours through the City of Los Angeles. He earned his Bachelors’ Degree at UCLA in 1997. In June 2014, he completed an Interdisciplinary Master of Arts in English and History from the California State University of Los Angeles. Following his graduation Mike has published over 500 essays and poems with publications and websites like Poets & Writers, Metropolis, KCET, Alta, Wax Poetics, PBS, LA Taco, LA Review of Books, LAist, Boom and the Academy of American Poets. His poetry’s been featured on Public Radio Stations KCRW, KPCC & KPFK & Spectrum News. Mike is currently the Coordinator of the First Year Experience Program at Woodbury University and he has been awarded by the Los Angeles Press Club.
Eduardo Acosta was born in Los Angeles, California. When he was young and thinking of what his future career would be, his uncle encouraged him to go be a Sheriff, try it out. As Eduardo has now served in the police force for around 18 years, mainly stationed in South Pasadena and the City of Pasadena, he loves being able to help and serve his community. Before being part of the City of Pasadena Police Department, Eduardo was part of a SWAT Team around the San Gabriel Valley. Currently, he is part of the H.O.P.E. Team who go out and help the homeless as well as being sent to help with those who call about suicides. A special event that Eduardo likes to help out with and promote is the Walk in Remembrance, walking for suicide awareness.