By Brett David Louie
As another year of working with the Institute for Nonviolence comes to a close, I am as thankful as ever for the incredible opportunities and experiences I have been able to enjoy as a fellow. While the majority of my day to day operations pertain to helping out members of the team and handling various online tasks, 2024 has allowed me to take hold of my ambitions and help the communities I love sooner than I had hoped.
In particular, I was fortunate enough to develop, present, and facilitate a dialogue series for Asian Americans within Los Angeles. The Korean American Role in the 1992 LA Riots dialogue was primarily aimed at educating and empowering the AAPI youth of Koreatown, Los Angeles, while also allowing them space to voice their opinions on how they wanted to solve old, inherited problems.
The vigor and inspiration that was present that day, are why I have not lost hope in spite of these trying political times. It is this same hope that I spoke about during another one of the highlights from the year! The honor of speaking at the INVLA Summer Lunch Benefit was compounded further by having my family present. While the beauty of the event as well as the incredible nature of the other members’ speeches were memorable, the smiles from the circles I had proudly been a part of will never leave my mind.
The Institute for Nonviolence and I have had an incredible 2024, and while I am incredibly proud of every accomplishment and accolade done this year, I know the next will be even more fulfilling. Please continue to support INVLA, and I will see you at the next dialogue!