Celebrating Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month!

Join me in celebrating the achievements, history, and contributions of the AANHPI community. This month we recognize remarkable AANHPI leaders who are driving positive change in Senate District 33, read all about our honorees!

Michelle Pagtakhan, Founder, You Run This Town Foundation 

Michelle is the Founder of You Run This Town Foundation, a community-driven, nonprofit organization dedicated to providing underserved youth in Los Angeles with opportunities to boost confidence and become vibrant future leaders. Raised in Long Beach, Michelle attended elementary school and high school in the area and participated in community programs throughout the city.

After graduating from high school, Michelle obtained her Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Irvine. In addition to founding and volunteering at You Run This Town Foundation, she also runs a marketing agency and a real estate and hospitality portfolio. She is also an active participant in multiple community service projects.

During her collegiate career, she accessed invaluable experience and knowledge in business and community service and wants to help provide more Los Angeles youth with the same opportunity. Many young people today are exposed to immense challenges including crime, social, and economic issues, senseless violence, and homelessness. Michelle carries an understanding of life’s unfortunate circumstances and has a passion for change. 

After years working in business and goals to one day launch a non-profit organization, Michelle founded You Run This Town Foundation. In 2016, the organization was established as a 501(c)3 with great support from her community, family and friends.

Romeo Hebron, Executive Director, Filipino Migrant Center 

Romeo is the Executive Director for The Filipino Migrant Center (FMC) a non-profit organization founded in 2010 to address the needs of Filipinos in the South Bay cities of Southern California that has since expanded to serve throughout the entire region. FMC is an immigrant-led organization that aims to educate, organize, and mobilize low-income, working-class Filipino families.

FMC believes that people who are most affected and impacted by social injustices should lead in developing long-term strategies to change systems of inequality. Through their programs and services, FMC supports the leadership and empowerment of low-income youth, low-wage workers, immigrant women, and families so they can effectively engage in improving the conditions of their health, schools, workplaces, neighborhoods, and environment.

Sophya Chhiv, Associate Director, Khmer Girls in Action 

Sophya is a second-generation Cambodian American. She was raised in Long Beach and is a founding member of Khmer Girls in Action (KGA). She brings over 15 years of experience working with Southeast Asian youth, refugees, and low-income communities of color.

Sophya was a youth organizer in the Sexual Harassment and Anti-Deportation Campaigns which focused on reproductive justice and immigrant and refugee rights. As a staff member of KGA she has worked on campaigns for educational and health justice and has coordinated numerous GOTV efforts in Long Beach, particularly around young women’s reproductive health access.  Sophya has mentored young members of the organization through their internships and their work as staff and leaders for the organization.

In 2005, she was selected by the National Women’s Health Network as one of thirty women who have made a difference in the women’s health movement. In 2013, she received the Young Women’s Leadership “30 under 30” award by Assembly Member Bonnie Lowenthal. Working directly with working-class, Southeast Asian high school youth in Long Beach, Sophya helps KGA’s members uphold positive self-image, feminist principles, health, well-being, and sisterhood. Sophya believes in empowering communities to lead and fight for social justice through community organizing work. She is a mother of two and loves to sing and dance with her kids.

Dr. Victor Thompson, Founder, National Pacific Islander Education Network 

Dr. Thompson was born in Long Beach, California, son of Victor and Desma Thompson of American Samoa. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Brigham Young University, majoring in Spanish and English as a Second Language, a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from California State University, Los Angeles, and a Doctorate Degree in Institutional Management from Pepperdine University. 

He is a retired educator, having served 16 years as Director of the Division of Student Support Services for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). He also served as a central office administrator, high school teacher, track and cross country coach, assistant principal, and principal for 20 years in the Temple City, Lynwood, Centinela Valley, Paramount, and Irvine School Districts. He is a former adjunct professor for the University of Phoenix and Brigham Young University, Idaho.

He serves as Executive Director of the National Pacific Islander Education Network (NPIEN), now in its 23^rd year. He is a former State Board Member for the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) and was the Southern Section President for the California Association of Supervisors of Child Welfare and Attendance (CASCWA).  He was the City of Lakewood’s Volunteer of the Year in 2016-17. 

His personal interests include running, surfing, and playing the ukulele. He is married to the former Marie Gilpin of Greentown, Pennsylvania and they have four children.

--- Thank you to all our honorees for your incredible dedication and service! ---