Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Karen Bass today joined more than one thousand Angelenos, AANHPI community leaders, and volunteers across the city for the Shine LA AANHPI Day of Service – a city-wide celebration of unity, service and civic pride. Today’s activation was a part of Mayor Bass’ Shine LA initiative, which she announced during her State of the City address, aimed at preparing and beautifying Los Angeles ahead of world events in the years to come.
Volunteers gathered at 10 sites across Los Angeles – particularly in neighborhoods with strong AANHPI roots – to honor the cultural heritage and contributions of these communities. From Koreatown to San Pedro, Angelenos joined in neighborhood cleanups, graffiti removal, tree planting and resource fairs celebrating the history and resilience of LA’s diverse AANHPI communities. B-roll and photos from the day are available here.
“We shine brightest when we come together – and today, our AANHPI community came out in full force to show what civic pride looks like,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “This is more than a day of service. It’s a movement. It’s about neighbors lifting each other up, about honoring our communities, and about showing the world the real spirit of Los Angeles.”
Mayor Bass kicked off an event at Trinity Central Lutheran Church in Koreatown, joining Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC) to remove graffiti in the neighborhood. She then visited additional sites with Councilmembers and local volunteers, supporting beautification efforts alongside nonprofit partners and small business owners.
“Caring for our neighborhoods is a shared responsibility and I’m thankful for the community members that show their love for Los Angeles through their volunteerism,” said Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, Council District 7.
“Mayor Bass is putting people and communities first, bringing Angelenos from every corner of the city together, to make LA Shine,” said Councilmember Heather Hutt, Council District 10.
“There’s no better way to honor the AANHPI community than by coming together to serve the neighborhoods that make Los Angeles so special,” said Councilmember John Lee, Council District 12. “As we mark the end of AANHPI Heritage Month, Shine LA stays as a reminder of the strength we find in unity and shared purpose. From North Hills to San Pedro, I’m proud to join Angelenos in making a positive impact across our city.”
“We’re proud to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month by partnering with Mayor Bass and Shine LA for community cleanups in Thai Town and Historic Filipinotown. This event goes beyond neighborhood beautification – we’re strengthening bonds within communities that far too often have been overlooked in the City of Los Angeles,” said Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, Council District 13.
"What better way to mark the end of AANHPI Month than to come together as a community for a day of service that will make our city Shine. Together, we have the power to build safer, cleaner, and stronger communities,” said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, Council District 14.
“Celebrating ShineLA this morning at the Korean Friendship Bell was truly special. Being alongside neighbors to plant flowers, polish the historic bell, and work together to preserve such a meaningful place in our community, was a beautiful example of what it looks like when we come together to care for the spaces important to us,” said Councilmember Tim McOsker, Council District 15.
“As a proud representative of Koreatown, Chinatown, and Historic Filipinotown, I was honored to join the Koreatown community for Shine LA’s AANHPI Day of Service. Today’s effort is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when neighbors, volunteers, and city leaders come together with a shared purpose. I’m grateful to Mayor Bass, City staff, and every community member who showed up to make a difference,” said Assemblymember Mark González, Assembly District 54.
“As the first Asian American President of the Board of Public Works, I am deeply honored to stand with Mayor Karen Bass and community leaders in celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month through action,” said Steve Kang, the President of the Board of Public Works. “Shine LA – AAPI Day of Service is more than just a day of volunteering – it’s a reflection of the spirit and strength of our communities. From Koreatown to the San Fernando Valley, Angelenos will come together with family, friends, and neighbors to beautify the neighborhoods we call home. This is how we honor our heritage – by investing in each other and in the future of our city."
In total, more than 1,200 Angelenos participated at 10 sites across Los Angeles participating in Shine LA. Those sites included:
Loose litter pick-up at the Alpine Recreation Center (Chinatown)
Beautification projects and loose litter pick-up at the Van Nuys Sherman Oaks Rec Center (Sherman Oaks)
Graffiti abatement, tree planting and bulky item pick-up at the Trinity Central Lutheran Church (Koreatown)
Tree planting at the All Nations Church (Lake View Terrace)
Mulching and tree maintenance at the North Valley City Hall (Tujunga)
Loose litter pick-up at the Mid-Valley Library (North Hills)
Community resource fair and loose litter pick-up at the Hollywood/Western Station (Thai Town)
Loose litter pick-up at the Unidad Park (Historic Filipinotown)
Graffiti removal and loose litter pick-up at the Torumi Plaza (Little Tokyo)
Bell Pavilion revitalization and weed abatement at the Korean Friendship Bell (San Pedro)
Shine LA AAPI Day of Service was organized in collaboration with dozens of local non-profits and community-based organizations, including the Koreatown Youth & Community Center, Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, Thai Community Development Center, Chinatown Service Center, HiFi Coalition, All Nations Church, Little Tokyo Community Council, Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, PARS Equality Center, and many others.
Angelenos are encouraged to sign up for alerts about upcoming Shine LA events at mayor.lacity.gov/ShineLA.