Celebrating 35 Years of CAPE: Honoring AANHPI Voices in Entertainment

This past weekend, Yama Sushi Marketplace had the honor of joining CAPE USA in celebrating an incredible milestone: 35 years of advancing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) representation in entertainment and media.

For more than three decades, CAPE has worked to create greater opportunities for AANHPI storytellers, creatives, executives, and talent while championing authentic representation both in front of and behind the camera. What began as a grassroots effort to challenge the lack of Asian and Pacific Islander representation in Hollywood has grown into an influential organization helping shape a more inclusive entertainment industry.

The CAPE 35th Anniversary Gala brought together actors, filmmakers, producers, executives, creators, community leaders, and industry partners for an evening dedicated to celebrating the people and stories continuing to move AANHPI representation forward.

For Yama Sushi Marketplace, being part of this milestone was especially meaningful. As a Japanese American-founded business with more than 40 years of history in Southern California, our story has always been rooted in sharing Japanese food, culture, and community. Being surrounded by so many individuals who are similarly using their platforms to celebrate culture and create space for the next generation was an inspiring reminder of the importance of representation in every industry. Supporting events like the CAPE 35th Anniversary Gala reflects something deeply connected to who we are. For more than 40 years, Yama has brought people together through Japanese food, culture, and community, and we’re proud to support organizations creating space for AANHPI voices and stories to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

We were grateful to share Yama with guests throughout the evening and be part of a milestone honoring the creatives, leaders, and changemakers shaping the future of entertainment.

Congratulations to CAPE on 35 incredible years of uplifting AANHPI voices. From sharing stories on screen to sharing food around the table, we’re proud to celebrate the communities that continue to shape our culture.

Here’s to 35 years of CAPE and to the many stories still waiting to be told.

To learn more about CAPE USA, visit the link here: https://www.capeusa.org/