Simon Tam an author, musician, and self-proclaimed “troublemaker.” He is best known as the founder and bassist of The Slants, the world’s first and only all-Asian American dance rock band. He helped expand civil liberties for minorities by winning a unanimous, landmark case at the Supreme Court of the United States. He also leads The Slants Foundation, a nonprofit that works at the intersection of culture and civic engagement.

He has received many accolades for his activism, including: The Mark T. Banner award from the American Bar Association, the Hugh M Hefner First Amendment Award, Milestone Case of the Year from Managing IP Magazine, the Ovation Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Marylhurst University.