Assemblymember Alex Lee Celebrates 2024 AAPI Heritage Month

On Saturday, May 11, 2024, Assemblymember Alex Lee celebrated Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Santa Clara County Board of Education Trustee Victoria Chon at the Jun Bistro in Milpitas. At the event, which was attended by special guest Congressman Ro Khanna, seven community leaders were honored for their contributions to Assembly District 24. 

Judy Tokubo (Newark)

Judy Tokubo has been serving the community in many roles. She volunteers as the secretary of the Newark Library League, helping support its used bookstore and the Newark Library. In addition, Judy teaches classes at the library in reading and writing for English learners, and prepares community members for the U.S. citizenship interview. She also volunteers with the Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church, the Newark Optimist club, and helps high school students with their college admission essays. 

Camille Valerio (Milpitas)

Camille Valerio is LEAD Filipino’s Senior Program Manager and Designer. Camille spearheaded over two dozen Stop Asian Hate trainings when she first joined LEAD Filipino. Currently, she oversees several community-based cultural and leadership activities, including the Delano Manongs Park Committee, Fly Pinays Leadership Summit, and Filipino American History Month Planning Committee. 

Candice Tran (San Jose)

Candice Tran is the Branch Manager for Berryessa and Alviso Branch Libraries with the San Jose Public Library. Since 2001, Candice has been working and serving diverse residents of San Jose through her work for the San Jose Public Library system. Candice’s career is deeply intertwined with her Vietnamese heritage and Asian American identity. She believes it is important that children have the opportunities to connect with their cultural histories and feel a sense of pride in their unique identities. 

Krista Castillou (San Jose)

Krista Castillou is the Principal at Toyon Elementary School. She has dedicated over 20 years supporting teachers, students and families in Berryessa. Krista started her career in Berryessa schools in 1994 while working as an English language tutor for students who are English learners when she was in college. Now, as an educational leader for the Berryessa Union School District, she shares her bicultural background and values with the students and families she works with. 

Jasmine Basrai (Fremont)

Jasmine Basrai is the COO of Haller’s Pharmacy and Medical Supply. Haller's Pharmacy has been a part of the community for over 50 years and Jasmine grew up in Fremont in a family of pharmacy owners dedicated to giving back to the communities they serve. Beyond her role at Haller’s Pharmacy, Jasmine serves as the president of the Mission Possible Parent Faculty Association, advocating for students at Mission San Jose High School. 

Thy Hope Luong (San Jose)

Thy Hope Luong, a senior at Notre Dame High School, serves as the San Jose District 4 Youth Commissioner. As a Youth Commissioner, she has focused on opioid overdose prevention efforts for youth, and has been a leader in advancing environmental stewardship through events and policy. After graduating this year from Notre Dame High School, she plans to pursue a degree in Ethics, Politics, and Economics at Yale University in the fall.

Dr. Seema Sehgal (Fremont)

Dr. Seema Sehgal works with Washington Hospital Healthcare System. She is also an advisor to the Fremont-based non-profit, RCos, which is dedicated to raising awareness and reducing the stigma associated with mental health through sharing the stories of people with lived experiences. She has been at the forefront of treating Tri-City patients with mental health challenges for the past 20 years.