Advancing Justice – AAJC Honors Journalist Weijia Jiang, Hollaback!, and Bank of America During its American Courage Awards Event

 Advancing Justice – AAJC Honors Journalist Weijia Jiang, Hollaback!, and Bank of America During its American Courage Awards Event

The Group Recognizes Power Players in the Fight Against Anti-Asian Hate as it Celebrates 30 Years in Advocating for Civil and Human Rights

 

Washington, D.C. — Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC) will recognize CBS News White House Correspondent Weijia Jiang with the American Courage Award, the Changemaker Award to Hollaback!, and the Bridge Builder Award to Bank of America during its annual American Courage Awards event.

The event will take place virtually at americancourageawards.org on November 18. The event will also recognize the 30^th anniversary of Advancing Justice – AAJC, who has been advocating for the civil and human rights for Asian Americans as it strives to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.

“The recipients of the American Courage, Bridge Builder, and Changemaker Awards have been on the front lines of reporting or stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Advancing Justice – AAJC in the fight against anti-Asian hate and racial justice,” said Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC’s President and Executive Director, John C. Yang. “In the work we do there are so many champions for justice. It gives me great pleasure to recognize three outstanding individuals and organizations who help advance the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and all Americans.”

Each year Advancing Justice – AAJC bestows its American Courage Award honor to an individual, company, or organization that has shown extraordinary courage or commitment to the cause of civil rights. Advancing Justice – AAJC applauds Weijia Jiang's ability to confront anti-Asian hate rhetoric head on as the CBS Senior White House Correspondent calling out xenophobia and derogatory terms at practically every White House briefing of the last administration.

Advancing Justice – AAJC is honoring Hollaback! with The Changemaker Award as well. Soon after the anti-Asian attacks started as the COVID-19 pandemic spread in 2020, Hollaback! and Advancing Justice – AAJC began working together on bystander intervention training sessions that has resulted in the pair training more than 120,000 people and been replicated by other groups who have seen the success of their partnership. For their work, Hollaback! is receiving the award because they exemplify an organization that is a catalyst for change.

The final honor of the night will go to Bank of America for The Bridge Builder Award, which recognizes the corporation as an innovator and company dedicated to community empowerment within the Asian American community, as well as allied communities of color. As a longtime supporter of Advancing Justice - AAJC, Bank of America has taken the lead on advancing social justice and equity in the banking and finance industry — committing more than $1.2 billion to racial justice, including a focus on the Asian American community, significant funding for organizations who work on naturalization and allowing for citizenship workshops to take place at their banks