I once begged on my blog for an experience that would move, motivate and inspire me to levels above and beyond the sun. An experience that would enlighten my heart, mind and soul. A sign, a banner, a moment in time after which I would never be the same. I had this experience today, and it went a little something like this.

“We will transform shadows into sunshine, taking on all challenges to diminish the shadows… Advancing justice for all, tackling emerging and current issues”, said The Honorable Thomas E. Perez.

My existential experience occurred at the first annual Advancing Justice Conference for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

This conference brought together numerous leaders in the public sectors and participants of grassroots, mid- sized and larger non- profit organizations, interconnecting people that share the same passion for building a larger foundation for civil rights, particularly for Asian Americans.

I had the privilege of interviewing the president of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, Stewart Kwoh. I asked him the ultimate bright red nail biting question, ” What is the one thing you would like to tell the Asian American Community?”

“People have to organize and speak up for their rights, come together and work together. We have to use our collective knowledge and become stronger as a unit. We need to be willing to work together and give credit freely and share the efforts of the work involved”, responded Kwoh.

This was truly an eye opening event. The common theme that underlies the vision of the Asian American people is to strive to become one. Such an avante garde event, setting up a sewing room of experts as well as novices providing a place where our individual threads are encouraged to be woven together to piece together a harmonious tapestry that binds our community as a whole.

Whoever said differences in nationality and politics can’t coincide is truly misled. Together with our passion and efforts, we can become one to advance justice for all.