Illuminators Gala, the VPAM Foundation Awards Eric Nakamura
At this month’s Illuminators Gala, the VPAM Foundation will honor four individuals advancing wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion in our communities. We are proud to name Eric Nakamura, founder of Giant Robot, as a Cultural Illuminator 
Honoree!
Honoree!Originally from the Sawtelle Japantown neighborhood of Los Angeles, Eric Nakamura earned a degree in East Asian Studies from UCLA. He launched Giant Robot originally as a photocopied and stapled zine in 1994, and continued its publication through late 2010. Giant Robot’s enduring influence, first as an alternative Asian and Asian-American pop culture magazine and today as a destination and exhibition space, has helped to foster a nuanced understanding of Asian American culture as a growing part of mainstream culture in the United States.
Today, Nakamura owns and operates the Giant Robot store and GR2 Gallery at Sawtelle Japantown in Los Angeles. Giant Robot continues to serve as an important conduit for both Asian American culture makers and audiences in Los Angeles and beyond.
With our featured Honorees, special guests, performances, music, fine food, desserts and drinks, our Illuminator’s Gala is an evening you don’t want to miss! 
Tickets are available for the full #IlluminatorsGala experience at $250, which includes 
dinner, and the 
soiree, or purchase your tickets for the after dinner Summer Soiree only at $125! We’re also offering #LACCD/#ELAC student pricing at $25 or $75 for staff/faculty. Purchase your tickets to the Gala at bit.ly/VPAMGalaTix! Learn more at VPAM.org.
Tickets are available for the full #IlluminatorsGala experience at $250, which includes dinner, and the soiree, or purchase your tickets for the after dinner Summer Soiree only at $125! We’re also offering #LACCD/#ELAC student pricing at $25 or $75 for staff/faculty. Purchase your tickets to the Gala at bit.ly/VPAMGalaTix! Learn more at VPAM.org.
Special thanks to our VPAMF 2023 Gala sponsors: AltaMed, Bank of the West, Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, La Princesita Tortilleria, Eastside Tacos, La Blanquita Carnicería Tortillas, 626 Hospitality Group, Boba X Ice Cream, Madre Mezcal and Condesa Gin. #VPAM #SummerSoiree #IlluminatorsGala