Jesse White honors Kalpesh Joshi

Linda Yu with Secretary of State Jesse White
Linda Yu with Secretary of State Jesse White

CHICAGO: Kalpesh Joshi, a prominent Indian hotelier and entrepreneur, was recognized with a plaque by the Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White during the 16th annual Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month reception at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago

Joshi received Humanitarian Service award along with other members of Asian American community. The event featured among others Linda Yu, anchor for ABC 7Chicago. Linda was presented with Lifetime Achievement award. Katie Kim, reporter at NBC 5 Chicago, emceed the event.

White also honored a host of local humanitarians at the event held at the James R. Thompson Center in Chicago.

Humanitarian Service award recipients include Kalpesh Joshi of Indian American community, Shah Musaddek of the Bangladeshi community, Jane Mien of the Cambodian community, Dr. Jerry Yeo of the Chinese community, Dr. Alma Jaromahum of the Filipino community, Srie H. Ramli of the Indonesian community, Wanja Yook of the Korean community, Yin Kean of the Malaysian community, Beni Madhave Kandel of the Napalese community, Anjia Ali of the Pakistani community, Al-Mirah Kabani of the Pan Asian community, Chamni Sripraram of the Thai community and Jimmy Nguyen of the Vietnamese community.

Kalpesh Joshi, a community activist, is an entrepreneur with experience in sectors like Hospitality, Restaurant, Finance, Travel and Electronics. He has served on G6 Hospitality Owners Advisory council, Franchise and industry relation committee AAHOA, as Care and Share President, Federation of Indian Assn. Chicago, Midwest Asian American Center. He is now an upper Midwest regional director representing 7 states.

“From journalists to local business owners, doctors, lawyers and students are leading our next generation,” said White. “We salute our honorees for their hard work, leadership and standard of excellence they have set forth for others,” said White.

The event featured cultural performances by the Robert Healy Elementary School students, who performed the Chinese Lion Dance, and the Yelin Korean Traditional Drumming Troupe, as well as the presentation of colors by the Marine Leadership Academy.

Surendra Ullal