2021-2022 GOAABA Installation

1922
Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association (GOAABA)

The Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association (GOAABA) hosted its 2021-2022 Board Installation Event on Monday, July 12, 2021 at Shakai Sushi Lounge located in Downtown Orlando, sponsored by Akerman LLP. Over 70 attendees were in attendance for the celebration, including Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings.

Attendees witnessed Orange County Circuit Judge Vincent Chiu swear in the following members to the 2021-2022 GOAABA Board:

President: Kenway Wong
President-Elect: Cathleen Winter
Immediate Past-President: Onchantho Am
Secretary: Janice Suh
Treasurer: Scott Leitner
Social Chair: Avita Samaroo
Community Service Chair: Shante Pressley
Membership Chair: Teris Deitsch
Young Lawyers Chair: Cynthia Winter
Publicity Chair: David Yau

During the Installation Event, the Incoming President, Kenway Wong, presented a plaque to the Immediate Past-President, Onchantho Am, for her achievements, commitment, and dedication as President on the 2020-2021 GOAABA Board. In his opening speech, Kenway condemned the recent acts of violence against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and addressed the
need to combat AAPI hate. Kenway also discussed the need to bolster the AAPI community through collaboration with other local AAPI associations, chambers of commerce, and community leaders.

Following Kenway’s speech, the prior Presidents of GOAABA each gave messages of motivation and advice to Kenway during the “Passing the Gavel” presentation. Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings also addressed the Greater Orlando community, offering words of encouragement to the new GOAABA Board and prior Presidents alike.

About GOAABA

The Greater Orlando Asian American Bar Association is a voluntary organization that was incorporated on October 19, 2009 to represent the interests of Asian American attorneys, law students, and other legal professionals in the Greater Orlando area. GOAABA’s mission is to encourage and promote the professional growth of GOAABA members, to facilitate client referrals and to broaden professional opportunities for Asian American and Pacific Islander attorneys, to foster an exchange of ideas and information between GOAABA members and other members of the legal profession and judiciary, and to assist Asian American and Pacific Islanders in need of legal services in the Greater Orlando area to connect with attorneys.