Ismael Ileto

Ismael Ileto is the younger brother of Filipino American letter carrier, Joseph Ileto, who was killed in a hate crime by a white supremacist on August 10, 1999.  Since his brother's death, Ismael Ileto and the Ileto family have become active advocates to bring awareness of the issue of hate crimes and gun control to universities and communities across the country.  Ismael has spoken at forums ranging from high school students to the AFL-CIO National convention.

Ismael and the Ileto family have joined other civil rights leaders in coalition efforts to bring more attention to hate crimes, including the Reverend Jesse Jackson and the families of Matthew Shephard and James Byrd.

On many occasions, Ismael and the Ileto family have met with political leaders to urge the importance of stronger hate crimes legislation -- even meeting with the former President Bill Clinton at the White house. His family has received the American Courage award from National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium and the John Anson Ford award from LA County Human Relations for their educational work. They also received the Public Service Award from Asian Pacific American Legal Center for their work to bring awareness of hate crimes and to speak up to be recognized as an Asian American.

Ismael works for United Parcel Service and he and his wife are proud parents of a four-year-old boy.