Hundreds of Korean American leaders gather in Los Angeles to map the community's next chapter

Roughly 600 Korean American leaders from business, politics, universities and the arts have converged on Los Angeles for three days of talks about where their community goes next. The gathering, hosted by the national Council of Korean Americans, runs through Saturday at a Century City hotel and other spots around the city.

This year's theme is a community that keeps evolving. The event also marks three milestones at once: the council's 15th anniversary, 20 years of a young professionals network called NetKAL and the nation's 250th birthday.

Organizers say the goal is to look back at how a community that began as an immigrant story has grown into a force in American business, science, media and public life. They also want to plan how that influence can keep growing.

A day of big ideas

Friday is the main summit day. Beong-Soo Kim, who recently became the first Korean American president of the University of Southern California, is set to join a morning talk on leadership in higher education. Other featured speakers include Google vice president Yul Kwon, venture investor Ho Nam, drugmaker Takeda's chief executive Julie Kim, sports analyst Mina Kimes and UCLA law professor Jerry Kang.

Panels cover artificial intelligence, biotechnology, investing, civic engagement, sports and media, with a focus on the roles Korean Americans can play as technology and the economy shift quickly.

Lifting up the next generation

A separate NextGen summit on Friday is built for college students, recent graduates and young professionals. They get mentoring from established leaders, small group discussions and career workshops along with a chance to build connections that can last for years.

The gathering opened Thursday with a women's leadership program at a downtown law firm, where women leaders and younger attendees from around the country swapped stories about mental health, wellness, career changes and leading with purpose.

Giving back to Koreatown

On Saturday participants will roll up their sleeves for a street cleanup in Koreatown alongside a longtime local youth and community center, a hands-on way for visitors from across the country to give something back to one of the nation's best known Korean American neighborhoods.

The weekend wraps up Saturday night with the Envision Gala. Ho Nam, a co-founder of a venture firm who has spent more than two decades backing tech companies and mentoring young founders, will receive the Visionary Award. Julie Kim, a 30-year veteran of the global health care industry, will be honored with the Trailblazer Award.