On Thursday, September 24, 2026, PACE brought together nearly 300 community members, partners, supporters, and government leaders for its Building On Our Roots Gala at City Club Los Angeles.
The evening celebrated 51 years of PACE’s work in Los Angeles while marking an exciting milestone in the organization’s future: PACE’s first permanent headquarters and the launch of a campaign to support its upcoming move to this new building.
Prefaced by a powerful taiko drum performance by Taiko Project, the evening kicked off with remarks from PACE President & CEO Kerry Doi and was emceed by Emmy Award-winning ABC7 news anchor David Ono.
A Home for PACE's Next Chapter
The evening’s biggest announcement was PACE’s upcoming move into 350 S. Bixel Street, a centrally located building that once housed the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce.
The new headquarters will bring PACE’s work together under one roof, creating a permanent home that will allow community members to easily access the full range of PACE’s community development services in one place.
To help make this next chapter possible, PACE also launched a fundraising campaign inviting supporters to invest in the future of the organization and the communities it serves.
Honoring PACE’s Legacy and Looking Ahead
The evening reflected on PACE’s history and the people who have helped shape its work over the decades.
Congresswoman Judy Chu and Assemblymember Mike Fong delivered keynote remarks highlighting PACE’s longstanding impact and the importance of its continued work in Los Angeles. Congressman Mark Takano also shared a video message recognizing PACE’s significant legacy and its contributions to the community.
Together, the remarks underscored an important theme of the evening: PACE’s history provides the foundation for what comes next.
Celebrating Community Empowerment
The Gala also recognized two individuals and organizations whose work reflects the spirit of community empowerment:
Community Champion Award – Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third Bank received the Community Champion Award in recognition of its longstanding support of PACE and its commitment to PACE’s community development initiatives and economic empowerment programming in Los Angeles. As the Gala’s Title Sponsor, Fifth Third Bank continues to play an important role in supporting PACE’s work and the communities it serves.Empowerment Trailblazer Award – Mike Watanabe
The Empowerment Trailblazer Award was presented in honor of the late Mike Watanabe, founder and former president of the Asian American Drug Abuse Program (AADAP). A longtime leader in mental health and substance abuse services for AAPI communities in Los Angeles, Watanabe helped lay the foundation for programs and services that continue to impact the community today. Diane Ujiiye, Co-Director at API Rise and a longtime friend of Watanabe, accepted the award on his behalf.
Building On Our Roots
As the evening came to a close, guests were invited to continue supporting PACE in shaping the organization’s next chapter. From more than 50 years of service to the transition to its first permanent headquarters, PACE continues to build on its roots while creating new opportunities for the future.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for Building On Our Roots and to the supporters helping make PACE’s work possible!
Thank You to Our 2026 Gala Sponsors!
