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.
“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.”