2026 Asian American Hero of Colorado Awards
Outstanding Leadership, Service, and Heroism
Since 2009, in honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Asian American Hero of Colorado awards are held each May to recognize deserving individuals for their leadership, service, and contributions. Now in our 17th annual year, we are honoring six awardees on Saturday, May 30, 2026:
2026 Awardees include:
Mary Nguyen
Founder and President, Olive & Finch Collective
Chair, Asian Chamber Foundation of Colorado
Meta Sarmiento
Director and Editor, Saltwater Stories
Lead Community Partner, Asian Pacific Islander Club at Florida Pitt Waller
Top 10 Denver Acts, Indie 102.3
Winner, Spoken Word for the World
Dr. Nira Singh
Clinical Director, Cultural Development and Wellness Center Aurora Mental Health & Recovery
Board of Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
Nga Vương-Sandoval
Founding Executive Director, Refugees + Immigrants United
Judicial Officer Outreach Program Lead, Colorado Judicial Department
Human Rights Advocate
Lifetime Achievement Awards
Jolie Noguchi
Third-generation Owner, Pacific Mercantile
Member, Japanese American Community Graduation Program
Christina Yutai Guo
Publisher, Asian Avenue Magazine and Rocky Mountain Chinese Weekly
Founder, Happy Living Adult Daycare
President, Chinese American Council of Colorado
2026 Asian American Hero Awards Ceremony
Saturday, May 30, 2026
Awards and Lunch, 11:00am to 1:00pm
Networking Reception, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Social Fabric Hub:
AANHPI Community and Cultural Center
67 Inverness Dr East, Unit C
Englewood, CO 80112
Tickets: $45 General | $35 Student
-
Founder/President, Olive & Finch Collective
Chair, Asian Chamber Foundation of Colorado
-
Poet, filmmaker, and educator
-
Founding Executive Director, Refugees + Immigrants United
Judicial Officer Outreach Program Lead, Colorado Judicial Department
Human Rights Advocate
-
Clinical Director, Cultural Development and Wellness Center Aurora Mental Health & Recovery
Board of Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
-
Third-generation Owner, Pacific Mercantile
Member, Japanese American Community Graduation Program
-
Publisher, Asian Avenue Magazine and Rocky Mountain Chinese Weekly
Founder, Happy Living Adult Daycare
President, Chinese American Council of Colorado
Gold
Sponsor:
Silver
Sponsors:
CACEN Board of Directors
Bronze
Sponsors:
Community
Sponsors:
Table Sponsors:
In-Kind:
All proceeds go towards AANHPI intergenerational learning programs and the sustainability of the AANHPI community center!
2025 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2024 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2023 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2022 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2019 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2018 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2017 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2016 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2015 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2014 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2013 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2012 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2011 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2010 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
2009 Asian American Heroes of Colorado
Since 2009…
This award is given on behalf of Colorado’s Asian American Pacific Islander organizations.
The selection committee was comprised of representatives from: Asian Chamber of Commerce, Asian Girls Ignite, Asian Pacific American Bar Association Colorado, Asian Real Estate Association of America Greater Denver, Asian Roundtable of Colorado, Asian Vibes in Denver, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network, Colorado Asian Pacific United, Colorado Dragon Boat, Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission, Rocky Mountain Asian Student Coalition, and Sakura Foundation.
This year, we will recognize 104 heroes in our thriving community!