Thurs, September 24th, 2026 (5-9pm) | St. Paul Event Center
For a decade, Minnesota 8 has stood on the frontlines of the fight for family liberation, transforming a grassroots rallying cry into a powerful, holistic movement for Southeast Asian communities. Today, that movement is stronger than ever and the fight is far from over.
You are invited to join the MN8 family, community builders, and visionary partners for an evening celebrating a decade of holistic advocacy, collective healing, and resistance. Together, we will honor our history, ground ourselves in our values, and fund the next era of our fight for liberation.
Our struggle is systemic, but our power is collective. Since 2002, over 17,000 Southeast Asians have received final orders of removal. MN8 exists to say no more.
Join the MN8 families, community builders, and visionary partners for an evening celebrating a decade of resistance. By purchasing a ticket or a table, you are investing in our work to end detention and deportation and to support pathways towards abundance and access for Southeast Asian communities.
Registration closes at 5pm on September 18, 2026. After this date, no cancellations or refunds are permitted.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Join us as we look back at the original campaign that shaped us, hearing updates from those who lived it and exploring how their journeys define MN8’s work today. Throughout the night, you will have the opportunity to network with our expanding community, learn more about MN8’s programs, and participate in our silent and live auctions to fund the future of our mission.
SCHEDULE
5:00pm Social Hour & Silent Auction
6:00pm Program Begins & Live Auction
7:30pm Silent Auction Closes | More Social Hour
9:00pm Event Ends
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!
- Tsuleng Lyfoung, Unity Sponsor
- John Wilson, Resilience Sponsor
OUR PARTNERS
FEATURED GUESTS
Montha Chum
Executive Director & Co-Founder of Minnesota 8 (MN8)
Montha (she/her) was born in Khao-I-Dang, a refugee camp located in Thailand after her family fled the genocide and civil war in Cambodia. At 4 years old, her family immigrated to the United States where she calls home.
Her advocacy work began in August 2016 when her youngest brother and seven other Cambodian Minnesotans were detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). In an effort to find justice for their families, Montha worked with other impacted families, community organizers, and co-created the ReleaseMinnesota8 Campaign before it became an organization.
Montha is the Executive Director and Co-founder of MN8, an organization that grew from the ReleaseMinnesota8 Campaign. Under her leadership, MN8 continues to fight against deportations and family separation in Southeast Asian American communities while providing support and resources to those impacted by unjust immigration policies.
As a 1.5 generation Cambodian Southeast Asian American (born in a refugee camp and raised in the United States), Montha brings lived experience to her advocacy work fighting against unjust deportation policies that separate families. She understands firsthand the intergenerational trauma of war, displacement, and the challenges of resettlement that many Southeast Asian refugee families face.
Montha has worked extensively in deportation defense, grassroots organizing, civic engagement, cross-racial solidarity, youth leadership, violence prevention, court advocacy, and systems navigation. She has become a powerful voice for Southeast Asian Americans with final removal orders, helping families understand their rights and connecting them with vital resources.
Montha serves as Board Chair for Minnesota Freedom Fund’s C4 arm, an organization that pays pre-trial bail and immigration bonds for those who cannot afford them, working toward ending discriminatory and oppressive jailing practices while building community trust and expertise across legal and immigration sectors.
Her work bridges the gap between impacted community members and legal resources, creating accessible pathways for families to fight against deportation and separation. She is known for her compassionate approach to supporting families through the complex immigration system while advocating policy changes.
Montha is also an Advisory Board Member of The People’s Collective for Justice and Liberation (PC4JL), a pro-justice movement of Asians and Asian Americans building transformative solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Her commitment to cross-community solidarity reflects her understanding that justice for Southeast Asian Americans is interconnected with broader movements for racial justice.
In her free time, she loves spending time with her grandkids, reading, playing board games with friends and family over a nice meal.
May yer Thao
President & CEO of Hmong American Partnership (HAP)
May yer (“mine-za”) Thao is President & CEO of Hmong American Partnership (HAP), the largest Hmong-serving nonprofit in the United States, and its national subsidiary, Hmong National Development, Inc. (HND). A nationally recognized leader in economic and community development, May yer has built her career on a simple conviction: communities know what they need—and they deserve the voice, resources, and opportunity to shape their own futures.
Her leadership spans nonprofit, government, and community economic development. Before joining HAP, May yer served as the Governor-appointed Assistant Deputy Director of the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA), advancing equity, supplier diversity, and CDFI investment. She previously led the Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce, where she revitalized its CDFI, expanded access to capital and entrepreneurship, and elevated AAPI voices within Wisconsin’s economic development landscape.
At her core, May yer is a bridge-builder and community advocate. She is known for bringing people and sectors together, challenging systems that create barriers, and turning relationships into meaningful action and investment. Her leadership has earned numerous honors, including the Milwaukee Business Journal Woman of Influence in Public Policy, the Governor’s Community and Economic Development Award, and the SBA Wisconsin Minority Business Champion Award.
Whether at a community table, in a boardroom, or on a national stage, May yer leads with purpose, candor, and a deep belief in the power and potential of community. Her work is ultimately about creating pathways for people not simply to overcome barriers, but to build, lead, prosper, and shape what comes next.
Margie Jo Eun Joo Andreason
Justice Equity Diversity Inclusion Director at Northwest Area Foundation (NWAF)
Margie Jo Eun Joo Andreason (she/her) is part of the larger Korean diaspora, arriving in Mni Sota Makoce as a toddler. She is committed to using her skills as a facilitator and her expertise in organizational change to drive positive change. Her professional experience has been in philanthropy and nonprofits and leading grassroots community-organizing efforts. She is currently the Director of Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion at Northwest Area Foundation. Previously, she worked for Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders in Philanthropy (AAPIP). She currently serves on the Governance Committee for the Minnesota Council on Foundations and as Co-Founder and on the Steering Committee of Network of Politicized Adoptees. In addition, she’s served on a number of volunteer boards and committees in the Twin Cities: the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, AAPIP’s Minnesota chapter, Don’t Buy Miss Saigon Coalition, Metropolitan Parks and Open Space Commission, Pan-Asian Voices for Equity Minnesota, Community Action Against Racism, Justice for Fong Lee, Headwaters Foundation for Justice, and the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota.
Yve Rojas
Benefit Auctioneer
Yve Rojas is a dynamic speaker, professional auctioneer, and leading voice in the power of fast trust. She helps individuals and organizations accelerate results by building trust quickly, influencing outcomes, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for them.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Our 10th anniversary gala is a celebration of the entire community that makes our mission possible. It’s a night to honor the dedicated founders and early supporters who built our foundation, welcome the energy of our newest members, and unite to fund the next chapter of our continuous work. If you believe in our cause, you belong here.
Once registration is open, you can purchase the table and go back into your account later to add guest names, contact info, and title later, or reach out to our team here for assistance. Dietary consideration and accommodations by September 18, 2026.
Yes, please have one person purchase tickets for everyone.
Registration closes at 5pm on September 18, 2026. After this date, no cancellations or refunds are permitted.
Parking Ramp entrance at St. Paul Event Center for discounted parking. Located between 6th and 7th Street on Wabasha St. North – past the Walgreens & The Pillbox Tavern on your right. The parking ramp for St. Paul Event Center is located on Wabasha Street North. You will see signage for “Ramp C” with additional St. Paul Event Center signage. When approaching the pay station, take your ticket upon entering. If event pricing is in place, select St. Paul Event Center to secure your special rate of $7. All parking vouchers may be secured following the event, as an attendant will be at the door to purchase your voucher for $7.
When you enter “Ramp C,” proceed to the third floor. You will continue to see St. Paul Event Center signage through the ramp. Enter the white doors and proceed down the corridor to the second set of white doors. Upon entering, you will see us straight ahead. If you are parking on another floor, proceed to the white doors and down the corridor to the second set of white doors. Once inside, an elevator will be directly on your right. Proceed to the elevator and take it to the third floor. Once inside, the St. Paul Event Center will be on your right. The venue does not have a relationship to secure the $7 rate with this ramp. Please check the signage and pay station at this ramp when parking.
We want you to feel comfortable while we celebrate! We recommend business casual or cocktail attire. Think of this event as a great excuse to dress up a little, but leave the tuxedos and ballgowns at home. Most importantly, we just want you there to celebrate with us.
