The UC Berkeley Labor Center Mourns the Loss of Friend and Colleague Kent Wong

The Labor Center is deeply saddened by the passing of our long-time colleague and friend, Kent Wong, project director for labor and community partnerships and former director of our sister labor center at UCLA for more than 30 years. Kent also taught at UCLA’s labor studies program and inspired countless students. His commitment to young people was born out in the Dream Resource Center for undocumented immigrant youth, founded 15 years ago, and Dream Summer, the first national fellowship program for undocumented young people.

Previously, he served as staff attorney for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). He was the founding president of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, the founding president of the United Association for Labor Education, and was vice president of the California Federation of Teachers at the time of his death.

Kent tirelessly championed working people and immigrants in LA and throughout California. Under his leadership, the UCLA Labor Center grew from a handful of staff to 42. Kent was a visionary leader who was instrumental in securing additional state funds to create a UC-wide network of labor centers across nine campuses. He provided invaluable support to faculty and staff at the new centers. He mentored countless labor organizers and leaders. The labor movement is stronger for his dedication.

“His legacy lives on with the generations of people he mentored and championed, who continue the work of building a vibrant and diverse labor movement and a California that values the contributions of workers, especially immigrant workers and workers of color.” said Brenda Muñoz, Executive Director of the UC Berkeley Labor Center.

We will miss our steadfast partner and friend. Our hearts go out to his family, our colleagues at the UCLA Labor Center, and all who were touched by him. We salute a life well lived. Rest in power, Kent Wong.