Andrew Pham and Friends Join Miss Massachusetts at QARI’s Quincy400 Gala

I had the privilege of attending Quincy Asian Resource Inc.’s (QARI) Quincy400 Gala, a celebration of both heritage and the future we’re shaping together. I attended with good friends and fellow community builders:

• Kai Lee, currently running for School Committee

• Patrick Tran and Jonathan Liang, both former QARI youth volunteers

What struck me about the evening wasn’t just the energy—it was the clarity: public service starts with listening. And this event was full of those moments.

🤝 Listening to Leaders: Councilor Devine and Candidate Hubley

Early in the night, I met Ward 4 Councilor James Devine. I’d seen him speak at council meetings—memorable voice, strong presence—but in person, he was kind and welcoming. We had an honest, thoughtful conversation that reminded me why proximity to elected leaders matters.

Then I connected with Walter Hubley, running in Ward 3. A former door-to-door salesman, Walter offered practical advice about canvassing. It was the kind of grounded, humble exchange you only get when people leave their talking points at the door.

🎓 Quincy College: Workforce, Strategy, and Shared Vision

I also had the chance to speak with several folks from Quincy College—their IT department, marketing team, and most memorably, Jennifer Davis, who previously served in the U.S. Department of Education.

Jennifer shared the college’s recent efforts to grow admissions and expand workforce development, particularly in partnership with QARI. A new federal grant had just been awarded to support this work—proof that local institutions are thinking forward, not just operating status quo.

🏆 Corporate Leaders, Community Values

Another highlight was meeting Amalee from Ahold Delhaize (Stop & Shop). She had just accepted an award and delivered an inspiring speech. I learned that she leads pricing strategy—a complex and high-impact role.

What made our chat even more meaningful was realizing we had mutual DEI connections from prior events. We talked about leadership, equity, and the intersection of corporate responsibility and local impact.

I also met Irving (on right), a Quincy resident and software engineer. Bright, thoughtful, and civically aware—it’s always encouraging to see professionals rooted in our city.

👑 Miss Massachusetts, Mental Health, and Mutual Vision

At the end of the night, I was introduced to Miss Massachusetts, Chelsea Vuong and her husband, Paul. They were gracious, thoughtful, and curious about local work.

We spoke about QARI’s mental health initiatives, and I shared my efforts to help expand culturally responsive mental health services in Quincy. Although they live in Cambridge, the hope is they come back to Quincy for more events!!

🗣️ Final Thoughts

I didn’t go to QARI’s Quincy400 Gala expecting to make speeches or get photos. I went to show support and spend time in a room full of people who care about this city.

What I walked away with were conversations I didn’t expect—some serious, some small—but all meaningful. It reminded me that Quincy is full of people doing the work quietly, consistently, and with heart.

It wasn’t a political event. It was a community one. And I’m grateful to have been in that room.

Thank you to QARI for creating the space, and thank you to everyone who took a moment to talk.