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Rooted and Rising: KOM 2025 Annual Gala
November 6 @ 5:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Rooted and Rising
KOM 2025 Annual Gala
We are excited to announce that we will host KOM’s 2025 Annual Gala this year on Thursday, November 6th, 2025 at the Inwood Oaks Event Center in Oakdale, MN.
This year’s theme is Rooted and Rising, paying homage to the founding history of our organization and looking ahead to new growth in this year of transition.
Event proceeds will power KOM’s services including youth leadership and cultural activities, career training, financial coaching, community health education, and services for refugees and immigrants.
Date & Time:
Thursday,
November 6th,
5:30pm – 9:30pm
Location:
Inwood Oaks Event Center
484 Inwood Ave N,
Oakdale, MN 55128
Registration is now closed.
For questions about your ticket purchase or registration, please contact Alice Buckner at or events@mnkaren.org.
Award Winners Announced
As part of our annual gala this year, we are giving out 3 awards to celebrate the people and organizations who partner with KOM and help advance our mission. Last year, we gave out these awards for the first time, and we are excited to continue the tradition. Winners will receive public recognition and a framed award with the art by area artist Eh Soe Dwe.
Culture Bearer Award – Aye Lwai
Through their example has served as role model for cultural expression, strengthening preservation of their heritage in Minnesota in harmony with KOM’s mission.
Aye Lwai was born in Burma, where she learned to weave from her mother and other elders. During her time in the refugee camp, she supported her family by weaving and selling traditional Karen shirts, skirts, and bags. After resettling to Minnesota, Aye Lwai became involved in the weaving pilot project in 2015. She quickly distinguished herself as a master weaver due to her experience and enthusiasm for the project.
Over the past ten years, Aye Lwai has volunteered her time to teach weaving to youth and young adults in the community. Aye Lwai has also shared about Karen culture with the broader Minnesota community at many events. She believes the weaving circle is important for maintaining and sharing Karen culture across generations.
Equity Champion Award – Georgia Coleman
Advanced KOM’s mission to remove barriers for refugees and immigrants by calling attention to disparities and recommending changes.
Georgia Coleman is a dedicated Workforce Program Coordinator with a passion for building pathways to opportunity and strengthening communities from the inside out. Through connecting with leadership within Mortenson, she learned strategic ways to recruit, train, and retain diverse construction workforce through a Community Workforce Program; ensuring that local residents have direct access to union wage careers and sustainable employment. Her work is rooted in the belief that economic mobility starts with access, education, and accountability, and she brings that vision to life every day with coordination. Georgia has been a key support for KOM’s career training programs, increasing access to union trade jobs for our adult clients.
Service Award – Paul Monroe
Has given their time and talent to the mission of KOM.
Paul Monroe grew up in a rural area of Maryland. In 1989 he accepted a position at the highly regarded Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center in Minneapolis. Paul has had a thirty-year career in Health Care including teaching in a program for Sleep Technicians at a local community college. Paul shares, “I feel that teaching has always been a strong passion in me and when I retired, I knew I wanted to volunteer my time in an educational program.” Paul’s volunteer service at KOM focuses on assisting teachers in various Employment Services and Training programs, particularly the Community Services and Interpreting Program (COSI). Besides assisting in the classroom, he leads groups reviewing classroom materials, provides individual tutoring, and teaches important test preparation skills.
Introducing Our Emcees
Ku Gay Nahpay
Ku Gay is a passionate advocate for youth leadership, mental health, and substance use prevention within the Knyaw (Karen) and Kayah (Karenni) community. Born in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, she spent her early years in Tham Hin refugee camp before resettling in the U.S. in 2007.
She earned her B.A. in Social Work from Bethel University and her Master of Social Work with a concentration in Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counseling from the University of St. Thomas.
As the founder of Today’s Leaders, she walks alongside youth to embrace their identity and leadership potential through community engagement both locally and internationally. She has also worked with the Karen Organization of Minnesota, helping youth explore college, career, and leadership pathways. Now serving as a board member, Ku Gay is committed to fostering intergenerational connections, strengthening cultural roots, and continuing to grow alongside her community.
Michi Lee
Michi Lee is a proud Minnesota native- although, she did cross the border for a stint- to get her BFA in Musical Theater Performance at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Michi is a proud mixed Korean American, who has found joy and purpose in creating stories to share within our local communities.
Now residing in Hennepin county- Michi has worked with multiple theaters such as Mixed Blood Theatre, The History Theatre, and the Artistry- as a performer and an educator. Working as an educator with Theater Mu has also been an incredibly important part of Michi’s life. All children are our future and all children deserve to have their stories told and celebrated. Thank you so much to all who support KOM and all their heroic endeavors!
Performers
Harold Torrence and Liliana Rodríguez
We have special guests performers, including Harold Torrence, who is back this year, this time performing alongside Liliana Rodríguez on our main stage! Harold Torrence is a Latin American Guitarist and Musician. A teacher as well as a musician, Torrence regularly plays at different venues across the Twin Cities. Born and raised in Venezuela, Liliana Rodríguez is a bilingual Assistant Principal, pianist, and vocalist whose music celebrates the rich rhythms and colors of Latin America and the Caribbean. Since arriving in the United States in 2000, she has shared her passion for music and education through performances, teaching, and cultural collaborations across the Twin Cities.
Liliana performs alongside her husband, Harold Torrence, blending piano, voice, and spirit in a repertoire that bridges traditions and generations. She is also an active member of the Tapestry Worship Band and collaborates with various Twin Cities cultural and artistic groups, sharing music that uplifts, unites, and honors her heritage.
As an educator and leader, she believes music is a universal language that connects hearts, nurtures identity, and builds community.
Raffle Tickets & Prizes
The Karen Organization of Minnesota will conduct a charitable raffle at our Annual Gala The raffle will raise funds for our programs serving refugees and immigrants in Minnesota.
RAFFLE PRIZES INCLUDE:
Hand-Woven Karen Traditional Textiles ($500 value)
55″ Samsung Crystal UHD Flat Screen TV ($469 value)
$350 R. F. Moeller Jeweler Gift Certificate
Grand Casino Mille Lacs Gift Certificates for a One Night Stay ($275 value)
Two Minnesota United FC Sports Items ($125 value)
Two Tickets to a Minnesota Orchestra Classical Concert ($120.00 value)
Gift Certificate for a One-Hour Elements Massage ($100 value)
Two Baked Goods Gift Baskets ($50 value each)
Two Gift Baskets ($50 value each)
MN Twins Bailey Ober Memorabilia: Autographed Photo ($75 value)
Two City Auto Glass Gift Baskets ($50 value)
Café Latte Gift Certificate ($50 value)
Two Gift Certificates to Keys Café & Bakery ($20 value each)
Rice Cooker ($35 value)
Slow Cooker Set ($35 value)
Toaster Oven ($35 value)
Kwik Trip Gift Certificate ($25 value)
Computer Bag and Colorful Purse ($20 value)
Please read KOM House Rules for Raffle 2025
Raffle tickets cost $20 each and must be purchased in-person from KOM staff or board members, or at the KOM office. Tickets will be available to purchase soon!
Must be 18 or older to purchase a ticket or win a prize. Winners will be drawn at KOM’s Annual Gala on Thursday, November 6th, 2025, 5:30pm-9:00pm at the Inwood Oaks Event Center, 484 Inwood Ave N, Oakdale, MN 55128. Raffle tickets are not valid for event entry— gala tickets must be purchased separately. Need not be present to win. Winners will be posted on KOM’s website following the event. Winner must pick up prize at the Annual Gala or KOM office within 2 weeks of drawing date and present this raffle ticket stub to collect prize. Winner responsible for any applicable fees or taxes.
If you have any questions about the raffle, please contact Alice Buckner at or events@mnkaren.org.
We look forward to gathering with many of you in November.
A special thank you to our sponsors of this year’s Gala:
PLATINUM SPONSOR:
GOLD SPONSORS:
SILVER SPONSORS:
BRONZE SPONSORS:
Bethesda Family Medicine Clinic
Como Park Senior High School Staff
Council on Asian Pacific Minnesotans
Ebenezer Karen Baptist Church
First Karen Baptist Church
Health Partners
Highland Park Neighbors
Intek Plastics
Maguire Agency
Paul Monroe and Donna McNamara
Rise Baking Company
Roseville Adult Learning Center
SKD Transport
Vietnamese Social Services
Join Us as a Sponsor
Thank you for considering partnering with us as an event sponsor. Event proceeds will power KOM’s services including youth leadership and cultural activities, career training, financial coaching, community health education, and services for refugees and immigrants. During these particularly challenging times, KOM relies on your support to keep our programs running and continue to adapt to changing needs.
Please see our sponsorship levels and benefits here, which include Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze:
KOM 2025 Gala Sponsorship Packages – PDF KOM 2025 Gala Sponsorship Packages – Word Doc
We request your commitment by October 17th (new extended deadline). Please respond to events@mnkaren.org with your selection and your payment, made payable to:
Karen Organization of Minnesota, 2353 Rice Street, Suite 240, Roseville, MN 55113-3721
If you have any questions about the event or sponsorship opportunities, please contact our Development Director, Alice Buckner, at (651) 202 3108 (you may text) or events@mnkaren.org.
