Join us for an unforgettable evening where history, heritage, and hope converge. Our Voice, Our Story is more than a celebration—it’s a powerful tribute to the journeys, dreams, and triumphs of Chinese in America across generations. The Museum of Chinese in America is honored to present the 2025 Legacy Award to three extraordinary leaders whose vision, talent, and impact have inspired communities worldwide. Richard Lui, MSNBC anchor, acclaimed author of Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness, and the first Asian American male to anchor a daily national cable news program in America, has devoted his career to storytelling that bridges cultures and uplifts voices. Janet Yang, Emmy and Golden Globe-winning producer, President of Janet Yang Productions, and former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has championed groundbreaking films and tirelessly amplified Asian and Asian American stories on the global stage. Lisa Lu, an internationally renowned actress and producer, who has built an extraordinary career spanning over 65 years across film, television, and stage. Bestowed the title of a “Living Legend”, in May 2025, she was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with a Star at Hollywood & Vine, next to Anna May Wong’s and close by to James Stewart’s. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements with you at the MOCA Legacy Awards Gala.
Legacy Award 2025 Honorees
Richard Lui
Anchor & Journalist, NBC News/MSNBC
Richard Lui is an award-winning journalist with over 30 years in media, technology, and business, and is the first and longest-serving AAPI Male news anchor on national television, currently broadcasting for MSNBC/NBC News, and previously for CNN Worldwide. As a documentary filmmaker he recently released the Oscars-qualifying films ‘Sky Blossom’ (2021) and ‘UNCONDITIONAL’, (2023) which were honored with an unprecedented series of premieres at the White House, U.S. Congress, United Nations, and European Parliament, along with nationwide distribution from Universal Pictures & AMC Theatres. Before journalism, Richard spent 15 years in business, launching six brands over three tech cycles and patenting a fintech model with Citibank Singapore. He has held board seats at fintech and AI firms, as well as various non-profits, including the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and Freedom United. He is a fellow at the National Association of Corporate Directors, one of 200 US State Dept. Traveling Speakers, a Senior Fellow at think tank German Marshall Fund, and ambassador for NGOs focusing on gender equality and human trafficking. Lui is the author of the bestselling and award-winning book “Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness” from HarperCollins Zondervan, as well as author of the groundbreaking Inclusion@work risk reports released at Davos, SXSW, CES, and Cannes Lions. Lui is seen as an authority on inclusion and the care economy, serving as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes campaign, AARP, and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Janet Yang
Emmy & Golden Globe-winning Producer
President of Janet Yang Productions
Former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
An Emmy and Golden Globe-winning Hollywood producer, Yang recently completed three one-year terms as President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, ending her tenure on June 30, 2025. She is the first Asian American to hold this position. In July 2025, she became a founding partner of First Light StoryHouse, a new venture with Miky Lee and Dominic Ng. Yang came to prominence through her collaboration with Steven Spielberg on “Empire of the Sun” (Warner Bros), followed by a long partnership with multiple Academy Award-winner Oliver Stone where she served as Executive Producer on the iconic “The Joy Luck Club” (Disney), and as a Producer on the Golden Globe-winning “The People vs. Larry Flynt” (Columbia Pictures).
Most recently, Yang was an Executive Producer on the Oscar-nominated “Over the Moon” (Netflix, 2020). Her other works include “Dark Matter” (Sundance winner) with Meryl Streep, “The Weight of Water” (Lionsgate) directed by Kathryn Bigelow with Sean Penn, “High Crimes” (Fox) with Morgan Freeman, and cult favorites “Zero Effect” (Jake Kasdan) and “Shanghai Calling” (China Film Group).
Yang was named one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Hollywood” by The Hollywood Reporter, included in Variety’s “Power of Women,” and was featured on the Forbes 2024 “50 over 50” List. She is a co-founder of GoldHouse, serves on the board of IMAX China, Forbes APEX, Unified Youth, and Asia Society Southern California’s Advisory Council. Yang is a Presidential Fellow at Loyola Marymount University.
Lisa Lu
Iconic Actress & Hollywood Walk of Fame Star Recipient
Bestowed the title of a “Living Legend”, three-time Golden Horse Award winner and internationally renowned actress and producer Lisa Lu has built an extraordinary career spanning over 65 years across film, television, and stage.
Even in her nineties, Lu remains a vibrant and sought-after presence. She starred as Ah Ma, the matriarch of Singapore’s richest family, in Warner Brothers’ global hit Crazy Rich Asians (2018), and played the title role in The Disappearance of Mrs. Wu (2021). In 2022, she voiced Grandma Bai in the animated feature Rally Road Racers, produced by the team behind Shrek. Most recently, Lu starred opposite Mandy Patinkin in multiple episodes of Hulu’s Death and Other Details (2024).
Lu first came to international prominence co-starring opposite James Stewart in The Mountain Road (1960) as Madame Su-Mei Hung. She appeared in the iconic television series Have Gun – Will Travel (1958–1961), and throughout the 1970s, starred in films such as Demon Seed (1977) and Saint Jack (1979).
At 60, Lu was asked to reprise her portrayal of the Empress Dowager CiXi in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Oscar-winning masterpiece The Last Emperor (1987), which captured nine Academy Awards and four Golden Globes, including Best Picture. This success led to her memorable role as An-Mei in Wayne Wang’s acclaimed adaptation of Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club (1993) for Disney. In her later career, Lu continued to shine on both sides of the Pacific. She starred in Roland Emmerich’s 2012 and Ang Lee’s Lust, Caution (2007). Her performance in Apart Together (2010), directed by Berlin Golden Bear winner Wang Quan’an, opened the 2010 Berlin International Film Festival, and she also won the Best Actress Award for the film at the Wan Xiang Chinese Film Festival in London in 2011.
Throughout her distinguished career, Lu has garnered numerous accolades. She is the recipient of three prestigious Golden Horse Awards: Best Actress for The Arch (1970) and The Empress Dowager (1973), and Best Supporting Actress for The 14 Amazons (1972). She also received the Magnolia Award (China’s equivalent of the Tony Award) for Best Actress and Best Translation for Plaza Suite (1992).
Lu’s honors include the United Nations International Culture of Peace Award (2000), the Los Angeles Chinese American Museum History Maker Award (2009), and a commemorative postage stamp issued in China in 2006 celebrating her cultural impact. In 1999, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Chinese-American Arts Council awarded her the Lifetime Achievement for the Arts Award for Most Outstanding Asian Artist. She has been named by The World Journal as one of the “100 Most Outstanding Chinese Persons Living in North America in the Last Century” and is included among the “100 Chinese Motion Picture Stars from 1905 to 1995,” commemorating a century of Chinese cinema. In May 2025, she was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with a Star at Hollywood & Vine, next to Anna May Wong’s and close by to James Stewart’s.
Special Guest Speaker
Michael Luo, Executive Editor, The New Yorker, and author of the national bestseller Strangers in the Land: Exclusion, Belonging, and the Epic Story of the Chinese in America.
On this special night, we commemorate the voices that have shaped our community and the stories that continue to inspire. Through moving tributes, captivating performances, and heartfelt connections, we will shine a spotlight on the resilience, creativity, and contributions of Chinese in America. Together, let’s amplify our collective voice and ensure that our stories are heard, cherished, and passed on, in our voice. Please join us!
Host Committee
Allister Chan
Christine Chang
Robert Chen
Pei Pei Cheng de Castro
Russell Chong
Blaise Chow
Ling Chow
Bernice Chu
Roy I. Delbyck
Diana Eng
Maya Ho
June Jee
Lucy Kan
Eric T. Lee
Jennifer 8. Lee
Patricia Pei
Minyi Su
Koda Wang
Bonnie Wong
Karen Wong
Andrew Yuan
Sponsorships & Tickets
Jade Sponsor, $100,000
Exceptional Guest Table of Ten (10) for the dinner
Premium Sponsor Benefits – Full Access to enjoy MOCA all year, including:
- Private Curator-led tour of MOCA
- Complimentary invitations to attend MOCA’s uniquely curated art and wine celebration!
- Annual VIP access to exclusive MOCA exhibition openings, artists and author talks and special performances.
- Complimentary MyMOCA Patron Membership to enjoy MOCA all year!
- Attend MOCA’s Lunar New Year Festival as a family sponsor and receive complimentary guest registration
- Invitation to attend MOCA’s Collections and Archives, special acquisitions workshops
- Complimentary registration to attend MOCA events with partners in art, music, and crafts
Gold Sponsor, $50,000
Premium Guest Table of Ten (10) for the dinner
Special Sponsor benefits:
- Private Curator-led tour of MOCA
- Annual VIP access to exclusive MOCA exhibition openings, artists and author talks and special performances.
- Complimentary MyMOCA Patron Membership to enjoy MOCA all year!
- Attend MOCA’s Lunar New Year Festival as a family sponsor and receive complimentary guest registration
- Invitation to attend MOCA’s Collections and Archives, special acquisitions workshops
- Complimentary registration to attend MOCA events with partners in art, music, and crafts
Silver Sponsor, $25,000
Select Guest Table of Ten (10) for the dinner
Sponsor benefits:
- Attend MOCA’s Lunar New Year Festival as a family sponsor and receive complimentary guest registration
- Complimentary registration to attend MOCA events with partners in art, music, and crafts
- Complimentary MyMOCA Dual Membership to enjoy MOCA all year!
Bronze Sponsor, $15,000
Preferred Guest Table of Ten (10) for the dinner
Sponsor benefits:
- Complimentary registration to attend MOCA events with partners in art, music, and crafts
- Complimentary MyMOCA Dual Membership to enjoy MOCA all year!
Lacquer Sponsor, $10,000
Guest Table of Ten (10) for the dinner
Sponsor benefit:
- Complimentary MyMOCA Dual Membership to enjoy MOCA all year!
Table Sponsorship Benefits
For a table of 10, benefits include a full-screen acknowledgment in the digital evening program and on the gala event website, and verbal recognition during the gala program.
Please respond by October 22, 2025, to be listed in the official invitation. Respond by October 1, 2025 to be listed in the dinner program. For inquiries, please contact Vanessa Cai at development@mocanyc.org.
If you cannot attend the event, please consider making a donation to support MOCA’s mission!