CONTACT INFORMATION: Johanna Carpio
johanna@ncapaonline.org
[***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***]
RELEASE DATE
June 16th, 2023
Washington, DC – NCAPA released the following statement in response to the passing of David L. Kim, President and CEO of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA).
NCAPA collectively mourns the passing of our friend and colleague, David L. Kim. A beloved member of the AANHPI community, David also served as chairman of several boards of Asian American and Pacific Islander community organizations such as the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), Organization of Chinese Americans Business Advisory Council (OCA-BAC) and has served on the boards and advisory boards of other Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander organizations based in Boston, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
NCAPA also celebrates David’s life and many contributions to the world as a dedicated advocate and leader of the AANHPI community. David was a trailblazer in the push to encourage corporations to fund our communities’ advocacy work. He undoubtedly touched thousands of lives, and he will be deeply missed by the communities he served. We celebrate his passion for uniting the AANHPI community and extend our condolences to his family during this time.
Gie Kim, Chairperson of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA) stated:
“With our deepest sorrow, we regret to inform the NAPCA family that David L. Kim, our President and CEO passed peacefully late Wednesday night at home. We are grateful his family was present to offer comfort and say their last goodbyes. We offer our sincerest condolences to his wife Kyungi, his son Turner and his family. David provided leadership to NAPCA for two decades as our earliest corporate supporter, Chairman, member of the board, and President and CEO. He was a trailblazer in the development of multicultural marketing to the AANHPI communities. He served as a board member or advisor to dozens of non-profits dedicated to the empowerment and inclusion of our communities. We are truly grateful that he chose NAPCA to conclude his remarkable career as CEO.
Our community has lost a leader, who was truly dedicated to providing equal access to all services and benefits regardless of where you were born or what language you spoke.”
Jeffrey Caballero, Executive Director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO) said:
“David Kim was a passionate and impactful leader and advocate for Asian American (AA), Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (NH/PI) older adults. As the CEO of NAPCA, he championed culturally and linguistically appropriate services and benefits for AAs, NH/PIs, and other underserved communities. AAPCHO extends our deepest sympathies to David’s family, friends, and loved ones. His leadership and lasting impact will continue to be an inspiration.”
John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC (AAAJ-AAJC) said:
“David was a trailblazer in pushing corporations to invest in the Asian Pacific American community. David was also a friend and mentor to many of us. He was funny and self-deprecating, and unabashedly passionate about the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community. He will be missed.”
Juliet Choi, President and CEO of Asian Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) stated:
“David L. Kim was a gracious leader, community supporter and dear friend. He never failed to leverage or create a new opportunity to uplift our community voice and visibility whether from the private sector, during his public service in government or in the nonprofit space. Always generous with his time and enthusiastic vision about the future political impact our collective community voice could make, his gregarious spirit and kind soul will be dearly missed.”
Sue Ann Hong, President & Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Asian Pacific American Women (CAPAW) commented:
“David was believed in uplifting Asian American women and was a big supporter for the Asian Pacific American Women’s Leadership Institute (APAWLI) since its inception in 1995. He had a broad outreach and promoted the well-being of Asian Americans, through working and understanding both public and private sectors. He was an advocate for multicultural marketing, corporate reputation, community relations and aging. He built relationships that lasted a lifetime and he will be greatly missed.”
Abraham Kim, Executive Director of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) commented:
“David was a dear friend, mentor, and leader who has been serving in the policy community for a long time. He was generous, kind, and always encouraging to others. Many of us benefited so much from his uplifting words, wise guidance, and strategic leadership in the AANHPI community. Our hearts are broken by this loss. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
Linda Akutagawa, President & Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics (LEAP) stated:
“The LEAP Board and staff are deeply saddened by the passing of former LEAP Board member and long time community leader, David Kim. He was a caring, committed multi-sector leader who unapologetically advocated for representation and resources for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities through his corporate, nonprofit and public sector roles. The AANHPI community has lost an important role model and trailblazer. We send our sincerest condolences to his family.”
Chiling Tong, President and Chief Executive Officer of National Asian / Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) commented:
“We were saddened to hear of the passing of David L. Kim, the President and CEO of NAPCA. David dedicated his life to protecting, uplifting, and investing in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI). He was a mentor, supporter and dear friend of all of us. He was a very important part of our community and he made a huge impact across all diverse groups. We will continue his lifelong work to advance equity and opportunities in our community.”
Priya Purandare, Executive Director of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) said:
“David was integral to the growth and development of NAPABA and its Foundation for three decades. Through his work at Anheuser-Busch, he established the NAPABA Law Foundation Presidential Scholars, was the primary funder for the Thomas Tang Moot Court Competition, and founded our Annual Convention Karaoke Night. A pioneer in the DEI space, he led the charge to ensure AAPIs are in the C-Suite and was a friend and mentor to many of our general counsels. He will be missed and remembered by our membership.”
Thu Nguyen, Executive Director of OCA National stated:
“OCA shares deep condolences with David’s family and friends and the staff at NAPCA. David was a longtime supporter of OCA, as a former Business Advisory Council member and a general member after his term. He was always committed to advancing opportunities for AANHPIs and paying it forward. His passion and dedication will always be remembered and honored.”
Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council ofAsian Pacific Americans is a coalition of thirty-eight national Asian Pacific American organizations that represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns.