THOMPSON HONORS GRACE CHEUNG-SCHULMAN AS THE 2026 SONOMA COUNTY AMERICAN DREAM AWARD RECIPIENT

Napa, CA - Sunday, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) recognized Grace Cheung-Schulman as the 2026 American Dream Award recipient for Sonoma County. Thompson presents the American Dream Award to residents of California's Fourth District who have come to the United States and made outstanding contributions to our communities.

"Immigrants are our neighbors and colleagues, soldiers and first responders, doctors and lawyers, farmers, entrepreneurs, teachers and so much more. Our nation would not be the powerhouse of the world without their contributions to our country's history, culture, and economy. This is evidenced by Grace's work in our community.
"Through her work leading the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of the North Bay, she has contributed meaningfully to making our community a better place. I am honored to recognize Grace as this year's Sonoma county American Dream Award recipient," said Thompson.
Mrs. Cheung-Schulman was born in Hong Kong and lived in Canada and New York before relocating to Sonoma County in 2002.

Mrs. Cheung-Schulman is the co-founder and current Vice President of the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of North Bay (AAPIC North Bay), the only organization of its kind serving the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community across the entire North Bay region. As anti-Asian hate was surging in the wake of COVID-19, Mrs. Cheung-Schulman came out of retirement to found AAPIC. She built AAPIC's entire digital infrastructure, making the organization fully visible to the public and enabling consistent outreach to a broad and diverse membership. Mrs. Cheung-Schulman has made great effort to ensure AAPIC's legal, financial, and contractual health.

Drawing on her own experience as an immigrant, Mrs. Cheung-Schulman has spearheaded new initiatives to safeguard, inform, and protect AAPI immigrants navigating an often complex and uncertain landscape through working directly with employers and immigrant families. Mrs. Cheung-Schulman has an extraordinary gift for showing up and seeking out the most isolated members of the AAPI community to ensure no one is left behind.

Mrs. Cheung-Schulman is also a Board Member of the Redwood Empire Chinese Association. She has supported local environmental efforts with the Southeast Greenway Campaign and Homeless Action advocacy community group.
Congressman Mike Thompson's American Dream Award honors immigrants who have excelled professionally in entrepreneurship and innovation, in the arts and culture, or in community service.

The full list of 2026 American Dream Award recipients for California's Fourth District includes:

• Dirk Slooten, Lake County
• Bernie Narvaez, Napa County
• Israel "Joe" Guzman, Solano County
• Grace Cheung-Schulman, Sonoma County
• Sylvina Frausto, Yolo County