Manjusha Kulkarni Wins James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award
India-West Staff Reporter
SACRAMENTO, CA – Recognized for her unwavering dedication to confronting the hate and discrimination that has plagued Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities since the COVID pandemic began, Manjusha P. Kulkarni, Executive Director of AAPI Equity Alliance, received a 2024 Leadership Award from The James Irvine Foundation, here on February 12.
“Manjusha Kulkarni is an innovative leader who has been fighting anti-Asian hate since the dawn of the pandemic, when many were living in fear due to the unprecedented number of attacks,” said Robin Toma, Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations. “She was one of the first people to call attention to these attacks, partnering Stop AAPI Hate partner with our LA vs Hate program in LA to bring an urgent, data-driven approach to address anti-Asian hate.
Becky Monroe, Deputy Director of the California Civil Rights Department, which is the lead agency for CA vs. Hate, said Kulkarni, in her role as the leader of AAPI Equity Alliance, brings a level-headed and methodical approach to her work.
A recognized leader, Kulkarni leads AAPI Equity’s groundbreaking work in healthcare access, interpersonal violence and mental health. AAPI Equity is a coalition of more than 40 organizations that serve the 1.6 million AAPIs in Los Angeles and beyond, confronting discrimination, fighting mental health disparities, and pushing for legal and policy changes.
Kulkarni is also a co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition that collects data and fights racial injustice targeting AAPIs.
The award includes a $350,000 grant to AAPI Equity, which will help fund the organization’s anti-hate programming.
Kulkarni has been recognized as an honoree of TIME100 Most Influential People and Bloomberg 50 lists, a recipient of the 2021 Webby Social Movement of the Year award, and a spot on the 2022 Forbes 50 Over 50 list for her leadership in advancing the Stop AAPI Hate movement.
