On Wednesday, June 7, the DDCE and the Office of the President celebrated three community leaders and one organization at the annual Asian American Community Leadership Awards ceremony.

Longtime Austin resident Ronald Cheng, owner of Chinatown, received the legacy award for his outstanding service to the Asian American community. A proud Longhorn, Cheng credits his success to the strength of his family and the support of organizations like the Asian Family Support Services of Austin.

This year’s recipients of the Community Leadership Circle Award are Revathi Balakrishnan (left), a Round Rock ISD elementary school teacher; and Ketan Kharod, an attorney at Kharod Law Firm, P.C.

The Community Partnership Award went to Interfaith Action of Central Texas, an organization that offers diverse faith communities the opportunity to work together to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged seniors, disabled individuals, refugees and those in need of food and housing.

For the third consecutive year, the Asian/Asian American Faculty and Staff Association presented RAISE Excellence Awards to one faculty member, one staff member and one graduate student who have each demonstrated a strong commitment to the welfare and concerns of the university’s Asian/Asian American community. This year’s recipients are Sa Liu (left), a graduate student in the College of Education; Phuoc Bui (center), support services advisor in the International Office; and Dr. Madhavi Mallapragada, associate professor in the Moody College of Communication and the College of Liberal Arts.

Guests enjoyed live music by Oliver Rajamani and fine-dining cuisine provided by Chinatown.

The annual event is hosted by the Office of the President and the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement in partnership with the Asian/Asian American Faculty and Staff Association.

Photography by Bret Brookshire