Remembering Kent Wong: Mentor, Organizer, and Champion for Asian American Empowerment

From APIAVote: Remembering Kent Wong: Mentor, Organizer, and Champion for Asian American Empowerment

Washington, DC – APIAVote joins countless others in mourning the passing of Kent Wong, a beloved friend, mentor, and champion for justice. Kent Wong was a visionary labor leader, educator, and organizer whose life’s work transformed the landscape of immigrant rights and worker justice.  Kent believed that justice knows no borders. He dedicated his life to building solidarity across movements and causes, always lifting the power of unity and nonviolent action.  As a founding leader of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA), Kent championed the participation of workers and immigrant communities in the voting process to ensure their voices were represented in national conversations. Under his leadership, APALA partnered with the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) to launch the 1996 National Asian Pacific American Voter Registration Campaign (NAPAVRC), which gave birth to what we now know as APIAVote. His leadership at APALA forged a lasting bridge between the labor movement and civic mobilization. “I first met Kent in 1993 as a student organizer at the Midwest Asian American Students Union (MAASU) conference at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While Kent’s oratory and clarion call to action were as captivating as any labor or civil rights leader, his unique Asian American voice moved me to participate in my first march, where he led hundreds of students across campus, demanding resources and recognition for Asian American students. Kent spoke with conviction and power. His leadership and passion inspired us to organize on our campuses, to advocate for Asian American studies, confront anti-Asian hate, to work in coalition with other communities of color and socioeconomic needs, and build a stronger community. His words and example continue to guide me,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. “Kent was always there in moments of crisis — whether standing with Dreamers, defending working families, or supporting workers on the frontlines. His legacy reminds us that the fight for dignity and justice is never over, and we will continue to carry forward his work and the voices he championed.” As Director of the UCLA Labor Center for over three decades, Kent built one of the most influential institutions in the country for labor education and advocacy. Under his leadership, the Center grew exponentially, launching groundbreaking programs that empowered students, workers, and communities. He helped establish the first Dream Resource Center and the Dream Summer Fellowship, creating life-changing opportunities for undocumented youth to lead with courage and conviction.  Kent was also a founding member of the United Association for Labor Education (UALE) and served as a professor of Labor Studies and Asian American Studies at UCLA, mentoring generations of changemakers. To his family, loved ones, students, and colleagues — we send our deepest condolences and solidarity. Your grief is shared by so many. May you find strength in the love, respect, and movement Kent inspired across our communities.