Martino Wim Tangkar President, Asian American Coalition of Chicago

By: Ryan Tejero

 

Asian American Coalition of Chicago (AACC) brought an extravaganza highlighting the grandeur of Asian culture both on and off stage during its gala event at the Grand Ballroom of Hyatt Regency O’Hare Chicago on February 22, 2025. This event was held in celebration of the AACC’s 42nd Annual Lunar New Year. The organizing committee is headed by the Indonesian Community in Chicago under the leadership of Martino Tangkar, who is also the President of AACC. The overall production was under the direction of Irene Cualoping, JD, Executive Producer/Show Director.
It was indeed a stellar night with Chicago’s top media celebrities, government leaders, presenters from various fields, honorees, and youth awardees. More than a thousand graced the event and the grand ballroom became a festival of Asian culture from fashion shows, parade of authentic Indo costumes that came all the way from Malang, East Java in Indonesia, and top-notch performances from different Asian communities. The featured costumes were created by Maestro Carnival Fashion Designer, Dr, Agus Sunandar – of the Malang Flower Festival from the Universitas Negeri Malang/Malang University, The unparalleled success of AACC’s Lunar New Year celebration this year was brought by the excellent leadership of Martino Wim Tangkar, who is the President of AACC 2024-2025, and host of the 42nd Annual Lunar New Year 4723/2025 Celebration Extravaganza. Mr. Tangkar serves as the National President of the Indonesian Diaspora Network (IDN) in United States and Regional Co-President of the IDN USA in Midwest, USA (13 states). He is also the General Secretary of the Indonesian Diaspora Network – United (Worldwide level).
Outstanding leader as he is, Mr. Tangkar has a vast record of community leadership and involvement which include President of the Asian American Coalition of Chicago 2024-2025 and will organize the 42nd Annual Lunar New Year 4723 / 2025 Celebration Extravaganza at Hyatt Regency O’Hare on February 22, 2025. He was the Chairperson of Steering Committee (PPLN) of the Indonesian General Election Commission (Parliament and Presidential Election) in Midwest (13 States) – USA in 2023-2024, and the President of the Asian American Coalition of Chicago 2024-2025, and International Ramayana Institute of North America in 2019-2024. He co-organized Indonesian Independence Day Flag Raising Ceremony 2021 at Richard J. Daley Center (Under the Picasso) and Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot.
Moreover, he organized Indonesian Diaspora National Convention in conjunction with 2018 Remarkable Indonesia Fair & 125th Java Village at the 1983 World’s Columbian Exposition, the Indonesian Diaspora Day was proclaimed during this national convention. In 2020, Mr. Tangkar was appointed as the Honorary Deputy Cook County Treasurer by Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas. He served as Chairperson of the Multi-Ethnic Advisory Task Force of the 7th District Congressman Danny K. Davis (2018-2023) and Lieutenant Governor of the American Muti Ethnic Commission NFP in 2024. He has organized more than two hundred programs over the past 25 years which include national conferences, charity events, flag-raising ceremonies, cultural performances, festival extravaganzas, student activities, and educational seminars since 1995.
Multi-awarded as he is, Mr. Tangkar was hailed with numerous major awards and recognition, the highlights of which include: Excellence in Leadership Award and a personalized Illinois license plate with his name at the 2017 IL Secretary of State Jesse White’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration in Chicago; 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award and Medal from The Corporation for National and Community Service and the Office of the President of the United States Barack Obama; 2020 Chairmanship Seal of the Multi Ethnic Advisory Task Force of the 7th District Congressman Danny K. Davis; in 2024, the Officer Xu Ming Community Appreciation Award, and to cap it all, the 2015 Indonesian Diaspora Award (for North America, South America, and Canada Region).
Throughout all of his accomplishments in giving back to the community, Mr. Tangkar said that “Together, we truthfully serve our communities and enjoy sharing the generous blessing for the growth and prosper of our communities.”

 

AACC President Martino Tangkar during the awards ceremony of outstanding Asian Americans in Chicago. Photo by Amie Hana.

VT Senior Columnist Ryan Tejero with AACC President Martino Tangkar during the grand celebration of Lunar New Year at the Hyatt Regency Chicago O’Hare. Photo by Ryan Tejero.

AACC President Martino Tangkar delivering his address at the 42nd Annual Lunar New Year Celebration. Photo by RJ Santos.