Long before Los Angeles County launched its LA vs. Hate campaign, Hyepin Im, president of Faith & Community Empowerment (FACE), was already working to bridge divides. Her deep commitment to social justice and intercultural harmony has made her a pivotal figure in uniting Black and Korean communities.
“There is power in unity,” Im says. “When we tap into the power of partnerships, we can achieve transformative change.”
Living in L.A. during times of significant demographic shifts, Im witnessed the misunderstandings and tensions that arise in a city as diverse as Los Angeles. These experiences shaped her worldview and inspired her to foster spaces for dialogue and mutual support.
The urgency of her mission became clear during the 1992 Los Angeles riots, which followed the acquittal of police officers in the Rodney King case. The unrest devastated Korean-owned businesses and highlighted long-standing tensions between Black and Korean communities—issues rooted in cultural misunderstandings, systemic inequities, and sometimes biased media coverage.
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“What the narratives didn’t show is that over 20 Korean store owners lost their lives at the hands of customers,” Im explains. “If the media had shown that, it might have broadened the discussion.”
In response, Im launched initiatives to unite leaders from both communities to address shared concerns like economic inequality, educational disparities, and public safety.
Recognizing economic empowerment as a critical pathway to reconciliation, Im led efforts to connect minority-owned businesses with resources, providing entrepreneurs with training, mentorship, and access to capital through FACE.
Faith has also been central to her work. Im sees it as a catalyst for change and has organized interfaith summits to unite diverse leaders around pressing societal issues.
“Faith transcends our differences,” she says. “It reminds us of our shared humanity.”
Under Im’s leadership, FACE has partnered with institutions ranging from local churches to federal agencies, earning widespread recognition. Despite her accolades, she remains focused on serving and uplifting marginalized communities.
Over the past two decades, FACE has become a hub for services like job training and homeownership programs, tailored to the needs of both Black and Korean residents. The organization symbolizes the transformative power of community collaboration.
“We host tough town hall meetings to unpack difficult conversations surrounding tensions between our communities,” Im says. “Without dialogue, we live in silos, and that’s not how we achieve mutual understanding.”
Earlier this month, FACE and the L.A. Sentinel presented two online town halls to address the presence of increased hate in the Southland.
FACE’s mentorship programs for young professionals emphasize cultural competency and community engagement, nurturing a new generation of social justice advocates who extend Im’s impact.
In recent years, Im has focused on rising anti-Asian hate crimes and the ongoing struggles faced by Black Americans. Her work resonates in today’s sociopolitical climate, where unity and understanding are more critical than ever. By fostering connections between Black and Korean communities, Im has created a model of reconciliation that could inspire other cities facing similar divides.
“Building bridges isn’t always easy,” Im reflects. “But it’s necessary. When we cross those bridges together, the other side holds incredible opportunities for growth and connection.”
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
