Bushra Amiwala receives Award for Exemplary Community Service
On Saturday, February 20, 2021 Skokie native and DePaul Alumnus Bushra Amiwala stepped up to the plate to receive the highly coveted Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) award for exemplary community service and youth excellence. This ceremony unfolded on a global scale during a live-streamed virtual gala titled "Unity is Power."
The Chinese New Year also called and commonly known as the Lunar New Year. It isn't just celebrated in China and around other countries celebrating all over the world, including most cities in the United States. Chicago is always celebrated with traditional passion and zeal. Several Tremendous celebrations were seen in Chicagoland area. The most prominent of all celebrations was the Asian American Coalition of Chicago, this year 38th Annual Lunar Year Celebration Gala Hosted by the Thai American Community of Chicago. The first time this ceremony was conducted virtually on February 20, 2021.
The event was chaired by Ms. Nanta Buranakanchana. During an interview with Ms. Nanta said, "Ours Coalition is so excited to share this event with you as we honor the contributions of these individuals and their organizations."
AACC recognizes several recipient outstanding awards. Those recipients have done the most to advance the objectives for youth this year. Bushra Amiwala was one of them.
After receiving award Amiwala said, "I am so humbled to receive this award. As our country continues to realize itself during this moment of great social and racial reckoning, minority leadership in both civic and business is more important than ever. I am deeply honored to be recognized alongside so many inspiring people who are paving the way to a fairer and just future."
According to the U.S. Census, 21.4 million people of Asian descent live in America (2017), and that number is growing by 20 percent annually. Illinois clocks in as the sixth largest Asian Population in the United States.
As the young Pakistani Muslim elected official in the country, Amiwala has a busy year ahead.
She has premiered in an ABC, Hulu Documentary: "Our America: Women Forward" on March 13th and continues to use her platform to spark nationwide action on diversity and inclusion initiatives, youth empowerment, and women in politics.
Bushra Amiwala is a Skokie native and daughter of immigrants. Currently, she is rising her name in politics, her public career took off at the young age of 19 upon her candidacy for the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Amiwala become the youngest Muslim elected official in the United States. Her 2018 election to the Skokie School Board for District 73.5 proved pivotal as it inspired people nationally and received coverage from big-name media outlets like TIME magazine, Teen Vogue, VICE, and The New York Times. Amiwala received her B.S. in information management systems with minors in community service and public policy from DePaul University. She is the founder and CEO of the Amiwala Foundation, an organization that aims to empower minorities and other underrepresented groups to act in business and politics.