Since the 16th century, when Filipino Americans first arrived in the Louisiana bayous, Filipino Americans have been victims of both subtle and overt forms of racial discrimination. Yet they, too, can be guilty of meting out the same injustice to other people of color, namely, African Americans.

For years Adora Penn has been taking note of how seemingly friendly fellow Filipino Americans treat her African American husband, Bruce. Meanwhile, former journalist and community leader Jon Melegrito admits that he has had to unlearn his own racist views. It all began at a swimming pool in D.C. Our talk will also feature Josina Morita—an elected politician of Asian American descent named one of the top leaders fighting racism and poverty in Chicago.

OUR GUESTS

Adora Penn was born in Subic Zambales to her parents, Ernesto Gorpido Adora, (originally from Laoang, Northern Samar), and Carmen Arizala-Adora, (originally from Dasol Pangasinan). She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Literature from La Consolacion College, Mendiola in Manila.

For the next several years she was employed as label manager for Sony Music and met her future husband Bruce Penn, a business manager for platinum R&B music group Allure. In 2001 she married Bruce, moved to the United States, and together formed BAPMedia. This New York-based marketing company gained immediate attention as a major player in international artist and concert promotion in the U.S. and abroad. She also found time to give back to her Filipino community as Mrs. Philippines-USA™ 2009.

Currently, Adora is full-time retail manager but she still finds time to create novelty and customized cakes and pastries as The Adorable Chef. Her passion in the kitchen has created a loyal social network following particularly on Facebook and YouTube.

Adora currently resides in Long Island, New York with her husband Bruce, son Bryce, grandchildren Aliyah and Bryce Jr., along with two lovely Labradors Luna and Tala. Her hobbies include traveling, backyard gardening, and arts & crafts.

Jon Melegrito was born in the Philippines and came to the U.S. as a 20-year-old student in 1965. A journalist and activist, he is the editor of Manila Mail, a Filipino American publication and an advocate for Filipino American community empowerment. In 1995, he served as the first Executive Director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), when it was formed in Washington DC. He is currently the Exec. Secretary of the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP).

He prides himself as a gardener, guitar player and grandfather (Lolo) to two young girls. He lives in Kensington Maryland with his wife, Elvira, of more than 50 years.

Josina Wing Morita is a Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Elected in 2016, she is the first Asian American elected to a countywide board in Cook County—the second largest county in the country. As an urban planner and policy advocate, Josina brings expertise in equity policy, land use, stormwater and regional planning.

She is the founding chair of the Asian American Leaders Caucus. She sits on the National Blue Ribbon Commission for On-Site Non-Potable Water Systems and the bi-national Great Lakes Commission. Josina’s human rights, racial justice and water justice work has been recognized locally and nationally.

In 2007, she was named one of the top 35 leaders under 35 fighting racism and poverty in Chicago by the Community Renewal Society. In 2013, she received the Emerging Leader Award from the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform and the Breaking Barriers Award from the Chicago Foundation for Women. In 2016 she was named one of 50 Young Asian American Stars in Politics by Asian Fortune Magazine. In 2017 she received the Spirit of the River Award and in 2019 she was named #22 of the 40 People Who Made a Difference in the Last 40 Years by Friends of the Chicago River. And in 2018 she was recognized as a National Water Hero by WaterNow. She holds a B.A. in Sociology and International Race Relations from Pitzer College and a Masters in Urban Planning and Public Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.