NBA’s A/PI Initiative Team Holds First Gathering

By Yunkyong Lee, A/PI Community Liaison  

This past March, NBA’s Asian and Pacific Islander (A/PI) Initiative Team held a special gathering in Los Angeles for members of the A/PI community. This one-day event focused on building community, centered around dinner and evening activities that encouraged connection across generations. We welcomed 30 participants, representing four different cultural, ethnic groups—Korean, Samoan, Filipino, and Chinese—coming together in a beautiful expression of diverse community.  

At the beginning of our gathering, participants were invited to engage with discussion questions posted on the wall, using Post-it notes to share their thoughts. Many eagerly participated, sparking rich conversations and setting the stage for even deeper discussions at our future gatherings.  

Additionally, those present at the gathering had a chance to hear from multiple speakers. NBA’s Director of Community Engagement, Rev. Héctor J. Hernández Marcial, joined us virtually to offer a warm welcome and share briefly about the mission behind NBA’s A/PI Initiative. A/PI Young Adults Mission Specialist​ Rev. Dr. Miseon Choi helped facilitate the evening’s flow and activities, and A/PI Community Liaison Yunkyong Lee shared a word of encouragement with the group, emphasizing the importance of coming together as API leaders and community members.  

One of the highlights of the day was witnessing the leadership emerging among our young people, who stepped up with confidence and grace throughout our activities. The event was truly intergenerational, with vibrant interactions among children, youth, young adults, and older leaders. It was inspiring to see the energy, wisdom, and joy shared across generations, creating a meaningful and fun atmosphere for all. 

The A/PI Initiative team is excited to continue this momentum by holding local API gatherings in the Pacific Southwest Region (PSWR) every other month. The next gathering is scheduled for June 1, where we plan to do an “Art Visioning” project—inviting participants to creatively express their hopes and dreams for our API community. 

The team partnered with the PSWR Region, who generously provided the meeting space at the regional office. We are so grateful for everyone who made this gathering a success and are excited to continue growing, learning, and building community together!