Our Bureau
Chicago, IL
Yellow Box in Naperville, Illinois, pulsed with the heartbeat of 33 ethnic communities on the evening of July 25, 2026. More than 1700 guests filled the hall in person while thousands more joined via livestream as the American Multi-Ethnic Commission (AMEC) staged its 15th Annual Congressional Global Champions Gala under the theme “Igniting Passion: Equipping Change.” From 5:30 p.m. until nearly 11 p.m., the stage became a living atlas of culture, leadership, and hope anchored throughout by the steady presence of living legend U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis.
The evening opened with the grand entry of co-anchors Gauri Yadav and Hannah Leong, followed by interfaith invocations that set a tone of shared reverence. Pastor Jebasingh Jebamony offered a Christian prayer for unity and blessing. Dr. Vasavi Chakka and Anwar Sadatullah recited Hindu and Muslim prayers, including Surah Al-Fatiha. National Chair Dr. Hong Liu, the first Chinese American to hold the post, welcomed the gathering with quiet pride, noting that differences remain America’s greatest strength. Governor Martino Tankar, National Faith Chair Dr. Twin Green, Senior Vice President Dr. Ronnie Yusefzai, Executive Vice President Kathy Thorat, and 12-year-old Student Secretary Samira Bangali each added warm greetings that underscored AMEC’s multi-generational reach.
Then the magic began. Created and patented by the Founder, Chairman Dr. Vijay G. Prabhakar, the signature “Around the World in 60 Minutes” segment swept the audience across continents without ever leaving their seats. Korean percussionist Chansoo Lee opened the journey.
ABC Channel 7 which broadcasted the gala referred to AMEC’s 15th Annual Gala as America’s largest multi ethnic festival.
Awards flowed in four elegant segments, each introduced with reverence. Healthcare Organization of the Year went to Center for Social Change, accepted by CEO Dr. Jasdip Singh and COO Sajid Tarar for 26 years of autism care and interfaith leadership in Elkridge, Maryland. Global Icon Pin Ni was celebrated for transforming Wanxiang America into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise that bridges the United States and China. Visionary of the Year Sam Pitroda, architect of India’s telecom revolution with 100 patents and 20 honorary doctorates, reminded the room that young people with an average age of 23 once turned a dream into 1.5 billion telephones and $250 billion in software exports. Child of the Year Aiden Saldanha, Student of the Year Katana Murphy-Green, Lily Prabhakar Change Maker Rosie Ni, Lifetime Achievement Louis James, Journalist of the Year Judy Hsu (ABC7 anchor celebrating 25 years), and Volunteer of the Year Shiva Adhikari each stepped forward to thunderous applause.
Segment two honored Attorney of the Year Beau Brindley Esq., Champion of Ethnic Arts Jigar Shah (founder of Chicago Indian Arts and Literature Festival), Senior Citizen of the Year Susan Au, Youth of the Year Kriti Aryal, Dr. Pratap C. Kumar Outstanding Physician of the Year Dr. Omar B. Lateef of Rush University, Rising Artiste of the Year actor John David Castilla, Golden Palm Award for Sustainable Real Estate Excellence to Papachsorn Meepa and Dr. Sunil V. Manjarekar, John Saldanha Healthcare Entrepreneur Award to Ashley Lucas, and Community Service Award to Faye Yu.
After a moving Whitney Houston Experience by Sherie Yuette Withers and the powerful “Beyond Limits” fashion showcase by Prosthetic Foundation of Americafeaturing amputees Gerardo, Carlos, Angela, Carla, Pablo, Sed Ali, Elena, John Reynolds, Louis Santiago, Cherish, and technician Cliff who redefined possibility Segment three continued the celebration. Community Leadership Award Ye Liu, Organization of the Year Indian Community Outreach (ICO) Naperville led by Krishna Badal, Social Entrepreneur of the Year Sandra Ford of Beautiful Angels, Agri Vision Award Professor Dr. Senay Simsek, Community Activist of the Year Fai Fong, Mir Ali Ethnic Singer of the Year Chandra Lekha Gangavarapu, Global Resilience Award Zina Harvey, Humanitarian Leadership Award Dr. Qing Chen, Young Woman of the Year Shruthie Ramaswamy, and Bridge Builder Award Xiaojing Li all received their honors.
— Asian Media USA