American Courage Awards
Tavae Samuelu: Advocate for Pacific Islander Communities
The 2023 Changemaker Award Honoree is a storyteller, trailblazer, and social justice champion
In a few short weeks on October 6th, Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC will hold its American Courage Awards. This annual gathering is our tribute to the trailblazers — individuals, groups, and corporations — who have made significant inroads in advancing civil rights. Our Changemaker Award, presented during the event, is an accolade reserved for those who not only inspire but also initiate tangible change, driving positive shifts that ripple through communities.
This year, we proudly announce Tavae Samuelu as our Changemaker Award recipient.
Her unwavering zeal and commitment to advocating for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities exemplify the transformative spirit we aim to celebrate. Born and raised on Tongva Territory, in what is presently known as Long Beach, Tavae’s life is anchored in her fa’a Samoa roots.
Her journey, as the proud daughter of a pastor from Leulumoega and a nurse from Saleimoa, has shaped her into a storyteller who empowers individuals to embrace their unique narratives, embark on personal healing journeys, and partake in political movements.
Tavae’s professional experience is rooted in politics and advocacy. Upon receiving a degree in ethnic studies from UC Berkeley, Tavae began a career in the political arena, where she honed her skills as the District 5 Field Organizer for Jean Quan’s Oakland Mayoral Campaign. After the campaign, Tavae applied her organizing prowess to several Bay Area nonprofits before finding her political home at the RYSE Youth Center as Development Director. While at RYSE, her role revolved around establishing partnerships with key stakeholders, prioritizing racial and social justice, and instigating transformative changes at a systemic level.
In 2017, the call of home and community led her back to Long Beach, where she undertook the role of Executive Director of Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC). As Executive Director, Tavae offered strategic guidance to achieve EPIC’s aim of championing social justice, engaging Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities through cultural development, advocacy, and research. For five transformative years, she championed the rights and needs of Pacific Islanders at local, state, and national levels. Her leadership at EPIC highlighted the significance of sustainable leadership and demonstrated how anchored care can uplift an organization through the most challenging times.
Now, as the Director of Community Initiatives & Grantmaking at the Asian Pacific Fund, Tavae continues her dedicated advocacy for marginalized communities. Her work with the Asian Pacific Fund is dedicated to elevating the Bay Area’s Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities by offering extensive grants and services to over 80 affiliate organizations that address a broad spectrum of API needs, from health to advocacy. Tavae also continues to work with RYSE Youth Center as a board member, helping the organization achieve their goal of empowering youth in the area to love, learn, educate, heal, and effect positive change in their lives and communities. Finally, her role as a board member for Pacific Islanders in Communications further exemplifies her commitment to advocacy, as she works to advance Pacific Island media content and talent, ensuring better representation, amplification, and understanding of Pacific Islander history, culture, and contemporary challenges.
Despite the numerous titles and responsibilities, she shoulders, Tavae holds her role as “Aunty Vae” closest to her heart.
Tavae’s sentiment underscores the diverse roles changemakers like her undertake, influencing lives both on a personal and professional level, and forging pathways of empathy, understanding, and transformation.
We extend a heartfelt congratulations to Tavae Samuelu, a true embodiment of what it means to be a catalyst for change in the Asian American Pacific Islander community.
Our 2023 American Courage Awards signature event will honor individuals and those in the corporate sector who have shown extraordinary commitment to civil rights on Friday, October 6 at The National Press Club in Washington, DC. Register to attend here.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice — AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all. Visit our website at advancingjustice-aajc.org
