Local Heroes: Amy J. Wong and Andrew Fung Yip, Celebrating Diverse BIPOC Stories in the San Gabriel Valley
Nominee Name(s): Amy J. Wong and Andrew Fung Yip
Title: Co-founders
Organization/Business: Matilija Lending Library, El Monte
Website
About Amy J. Wong and Andrew Fung Yip
Amy J. Wong and Andrew Fung Yip are lifelong residents of the San Gabriel Valley with a vision to build multi-racial solidarity in the San Gabriel Valley. They hold over a decade of experience demonstrating their commitment to social and environmental justice. Together, they founded grassroots initiatives including San Gabriel Valley Progressive Action, a multi-racial coalition dedicated to uplifting racial justice, and Matilija Lending Library, a community library in downtown El Monte with over 1,000 BIPOC books.
Named after the native matilija poppy, Matilija Lending Library’s mission is to celebrate the diversity of the El Monte and San Gabriel Valley community by uplifting stories by Black, Indigenous, People of Color. Matilija Lending Library serves as an important "third place: for the community to gather, with free events such as yoga, native plant workshops, bike rides, author talks, book club meetings and more.
In their professional roles, Amy works as a Program Director at Active San Gabriel Valley, leading local climate programs and advancing equity in underserved communities through meaningful community engagement. Amy co-founded the Women on Wheels program, and previously served as a Planning Commissioner for the City of El Monte.
Andrew, a United States Army veteran, advocates for the protection of America's natural landscapes as a Senior Veterans Fellow at the National Parks Conservation Association. His advocacy efforts helped lead to the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument designation in 2014, underscoring his commitment to the conservation of parks and open spaces. Andrew also serves as a Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority Board Member.
