Important Announcement from API Equality-LA
Because you are a valued supporter of API Equality-LA, we would like to share some news about an upcoming transition within our organization. Our Director, The Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, has been invited to become the next minister of the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu – a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for him, in line with his professional training and long-term aspirations. We are so proud that Jonipher’s gifts as a caring, inspired leader have been recognized this way. And we appreciate that it was difficult for him to decide to leave API Equality-LA, as he has been immersed and wonderfully productive in his role as our Director. We will miss him enormously. At the same time, we recognize that this path will bring him great fulfillment in the future, and also will allow him to return to his home in Hawaii. We wish him every happiness and success as he begins this new adventure.
As we anticipate Jonipher’s departure later this summer, we are eager to build upon the strength and accomplishments achieved during this past year with his leadership, in close partnership with our dedicated Steering Committee. We have grown in so many ways, including by expanding our volunteer base, growing the interest in our internship program, and increasing the attendance at both our meetings and our special events. We also have grown in intangible ways, by developing our mission, clarifying our vision, and enhancing the commitment of our membership beyond campaign work related to a specific ballot initiative. We also have forged closer, collaborative relationships with our Northern California counterpart and other people of color LGBT organizations in the Greater Los Angeles area. Our finances are solid, with important new revenue streams and solid commitments from individual donors now sustaining our work. Our Steering Committee is also stronger than ever, with a balanced mix of seasoned and new activists working side by side.
We want to facilitate a smooth transition. Therefore, the leadership of API Equality-LA will begin the search process immediately for Jonipher’s successor and we look forward to assembling a pool of talented candidates (please see position description below). Because Jonipher’s new position will not begin until the middle of August, we anticipate that it will include a period of overlap before his departure.
We will appreciate your interest and involvement as we undertake this search process, and also as we continue the work together of moving our thriving organization forward. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions, suggestions or desire additional information.
In Solidarity,
Doreena Wong & Marshall Wong
Steering Committee Co-Chairs, API Equality-LA