Los Angeles, CA – Stewart Kwoh, a renowned advocate for social justice, received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from California State University, Los Angeles during the 2018 Commencement ceremony. Kwoh, the founding president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles (Advancing Justice – LA), was recognized for his lifelong dedication to educational equity and civil rights.
Stewart Kwoh Advancing Justice
Kwoh, who helped establish Advancing Justice – LA, the nation’s largest legal and civil rights organization serving Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, delivered an inspiring keynote speech during the ceremony for the College of Natural and Social Sciences.
President William A. Covino, in presenting Kwoh with the honorary doctoral hood, described him as “an unwavering champion for educational equity, social justice, and civic engagement.” Covino praised Kwoh’s dedication to building inclusive coalitions across ethnicities and his advocacy for underserved and historically marginalized communities.
Keynote
In his keynote address, Kwoh shared stories of Advancing Justice – LA’s successes in challenging discriminatory employment practices and immigration laws, while advocating for the rights of low-wage workers, immigrants, and hate crime victims. He encouraged the graduating class to carry forward Cal State LA’s mission of service by fighting for justice and quoted Martin Luther King Jr.: “Every person must decide whether he or she will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”
Kwoh further called on graduates to be steadfast in their pursuit of justice and social change. “Join our causes, keep hope alive, join us to lift up the spirit of immigrants, and help us fight for justice for all,” he urged.
Photo: Honorary doctorate recipient Stewart Kwoh delivered an inspiring keynote address at Commencement 2018. (Credit: Anibal Ortiz/Cal State LA) (PRNewsfoto/California State University)About California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a comprehensive public university renowned for its commitment to student engagement and public service. It is ranked number one in the U.S. for student upward mobility and offers a wide range of nationally recognized programs. Since its founding in 1947, Cal State LA has served over 28,000 students and boasts more than 245,000 distinguished alumni. [release]
