Over the years, AAJA Sacramento has been fortunate to be led by dedicated leaders who have worked hard to advance our mission of diversity and inclusion.
AAJA Sacramento was founded in 1985, the fourth chapter to join what is now an organization of more than 1,600 members in 20 chapters across the United States and Asia.
AAJA Sacramento has been recognized with several national AAJA awards, including Chapter of the Year in 2006 and 2010; Sandy Louey named Chapter President of the Year in 2013; and Pamela Wu selected as Member of the Year in 2015.
Chapter history
KCBS-TV (Burbank) anchor Tritia Toyota served as the keynote speaker at the event, which celebrated (national) AAJA’s 15th anniversary. Four local pioneers were honored: Lonnie Wong (Fox 40 News), Judy Tachibana (Sacramento Bee), Gay Lum (Sacramento Bee), and K.W. Lee (Sacramento Union).
Connie Chung was in Sacramento to anchor the “CBS Evening News” and to promote CBS affiliate KOVR-13 at the time of the luncheon. Chung would leave CBS one month later. The benefit also celebrated the chapter’s 10th anniversary.
Pictured: Lonnie Wong, Cynthia Gouw, Mark Morodomi and Ben Wong.
The two chapters took a whitewater rafting trip on the south fork of the American River in Sacramento.
The seventh annual Scholarship Awards were held on the paddlewheel river boat, The Matthew McKinley, which plied the Sacramento River. A buffet dinner was served.
At the Kyoto Restaurant. Michael Toshiyuki Uno had just finished directing the pilot episode of a new Fox TV series, “Beverly Hills 90210” prior to his appearance in Sacramento.
The third part of the Pat Morita “Sacramento Homecoming” was a film reception that also served as a celebration for the actor’s 57th birthday — also on June 28.
On behalf of Columbia Pictures, Sacramento mayor Anne Rudin, presented a surprise birthday gift to Pat Morita at the premiere: keys to a new Ford F250 Lariat truck. Proceeds from the three events went to AAJA Sacramento, Adult Buddhist Association and Sacramento Asian Community Resources/Asian Legal Services Outreach.
AAJA Sacramento was among the sponsors for “A Sacramento Homecoming” for Pat Morita to mark the release of his film, The Karate Kid, Part III. The first event was a dinner at the Sutter Club. Morita’s family owned the Ariake Chop Suey restaurant in Sacramento.
The event was held at the Sheraton Sunrise in Rancho Cordova.