Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins hosted a Lunar New Year celebration at the Michaelian Office Building, marking the Year of the Horse and recognizing outstanding contributions from members of the Asian American community.
The celebration also featured recognition led by community partners behind the Asian Hall of Fame Westchester. Organizations including the Westchester Association of Chinese Americans, the India Center of Westchester, the Indian American Cultural Association of Westchester, OCA Westchester and Hudson Valley Chapter, the Westchester County Asian American Advisory Board and the Westchester County Board of Legislators honored the inaugural group of inductees. The recognition honored individuals whose leadership, service and achievements have strengthened Westchester’s civic life and cultural landscape.
Jenkins said: “Lunar New Year is a time to honor tradition and recognize the communities that help make Westchester the place it is today. The Asian American community has contributed enormously to our County’s cultural life, economy and civic leadership. Celebrations like this are important because they bring people together and remind us that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.”
Asian American Advisory Board Co-Chair Koji Sato said: “This celebration reflects the pride and resilience of the Asian American community in Westchester. Lunar New Year is about family, hope and moving forward together, and it means a great deal to see our traditions recognized and embraced. We appreciate the County’s continued partnership and commitment to ensuring our voices and cultures are respected.”
Asian American Advisory Board Co-Chair Nandini Anandu said: “Lunar New Year is about shared values such as resilience and hope. Bringing people together around those values strengthens our community and deepens mutual respect. I am so appreciative of the County’s efforts to make every community feel represented.”
Director of Minority and Women-Owned Business Development Martha Lopez said: “Recognizing Lunar New Year is about acknowledging the history and contributions of the Asian American community in Westchester. It also reflects the progress we continue to make as a County that values inclusion and cultural awareness across our communities.”
2026 Asian Hall of Fame Inductees:
- Ang Lee — Internationally acclaimed film director whose work bridges cultures and explores universal human experiences.
- Shih-Ying Brenda Sun — Community leader and co-founder of the Westchester Association of Chinese Americans (WACA) and the Evergreen Senior Club, recognized for decades of service supporting immigrant families and seniors.
- Tejash V. Sanchala — Executive Director at Westchester County’s Human Rights Commission. Honored as an Exemplary Civic Leader for his commitment to public service, cross-community collaboration, and inclusive leadership.
Lunar New Year is observed by many cultures across Asia and around the world and marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. The holiday is traditionally celebrated through family gatherings, symbolic foods and cultural customs that emphasize good fortune and hope for the year ahead.
The Lunar New Year celebration served as a reminder of Westchester County’s dedication to honoring cultural traditions while providing a moment for residents to learn more about its roots. Through events like this, the County continues to support opportunities for residents to learn from one another and celebrate the diverse cultures that enrich life throughout Westchester year-round.
