Join the Museum of Chinese in America for an unforgettable evening celebrating the generations who have shaped, strengthened, and reimagined the Chinese American story.

This year’s gala, Generation Impact, honors the legacy we inherit, the voices rising today, and the future we are building together. Through powerful storytelling, inspiring performances, and meaningful connection, we will celebrate the creativity, resilience, and cultural impact of Chinese in America across generations.

Together, we will celebrate the stories that move us forward—and the impact that continues to shape our community. Guests are invited to attend in Black-Tie Attire or Heritage Formal.

GALA HONOREES

LEGACY AWARD

Ming-Na Wen

Award-Winning Actress, Producer, and Author

Legendary actress, producer, author, and Asian American icon Ming-Na Wen has spent her career redefining what longevity and influence look like in Hollywood. From her breakout performance in The Joy Luck Club to becoming the iconic voice of Disney’s Mulan, starring on the Emmy Award-winning ER, portraying Agent Melinda May on Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., to bringing her signature strength and fierceness to the role of Dr. Fong in Karate Kid: Legends, and earning a new generation of fans as the fearless Fennec Shand in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett, Wen has continuously broken barriers while remaining one of the entertainment industry’s most respected and enduring performers. Her career has not only paved the way for greater Asian American representation on screen but has also demonstrated the lasting power of women as leaders of some of the world’s biggest franchises. 

Wen is entering yet another remarkable chapter. This fall, she will publish her debut book, Have You Eaten Yet?: Family Recipes from a Restaurant Daughter, a heartfelt collection of personal stories and family recipes celebrating her Chinese American heritage, her upbringing in her family’s Pittsburgh restaurant, and the traditions that continue to shape her life today. At the same time, she continues to break new ground on screen, joining Disney+’s hit series Percy Jackson and the Olympians as the Greek goddess Hera in its highly anticipated third season, premiering in November 2026. Together, these milestone projects showcase the remarkable breadth of her career, expanding her influence beyond film and television into authorship while continuing to take on major roles in one of the world’s biggest entertainment franchises. Through every chapter of her career, Ming-Na Wen has proven that reinvention is always possible, making her a powerful example of leadership, impact, and continued excellence.

CHAMPION AWARD

Baayork Lee

Director, National Asian Artists Project, and Tony Award-Winning Author, Director, Choreographer, Actress, Dancer, and Singer

Baayork Lee has performed in a dozen original Broadway shows. She created the role of Connie in A Chorus Line while continuing the legacy of Michael Bennett directing companies around the world, most recently Antonio Banderas company in Spain. She has directed King and I, South Pacific, Cinderella (R&H), Porgy and Bess, Carmen Jones, Jesus Christ Superstar, Barnum, Gypsy, Cats, Beauty and the Beast, West Side Story and others. She also directed the 2021 Wicked in Concert for PBS.

Her choreography credits include: Miss Saigon, Mack and Mabel and for Arena Stage in Washington, DC, Animal Crackers, South Pacific (Helen Hayes nomination 2021), Coconuts and Camelot, Westside Story (PLO) and Kansas City Starlight.

Lee founded National Asian Artists Project( NAAP) a 501 (c) 3 Nonprofit. Her vision includes educating, cultivating, and stimulating audiences and artists of Asian descent through the many outreach programs the company offers.

She has been the recipient of numerous awards for her work, including the Isabelle Stevenson, Paul Robeson Award from Actors Equity Association, the Asian Woman Warrior Award for Lifetime Achievement from Columbia College, Asian Pacific American Heritage Association Achievement In Arts Award, the Dynamic Achiever Award from OCA Westchester. Chen Dance Center Artist Award, Arena Stage American Artist Award, and Actors Fund for Outstanding Contribution to the World of Dance. 2024 CMP AccomplisHERS – Honoring Women’s Career Achievements.

GALA PERFORMANCE

Chloe Flower

Pianist. Composer. Cultural Icon

Chloe Flower is one of the most talked-about pianists in the world today, captivating new generations of listeners and reshaping the classical music landscape. A true multi-hyphenate, she fuses her love of couture with virtuosic performance, creating a signature style that the industry has never seen or heard and redefining what it means to be a classical artist in the modern era. By age twelve, Chloe was studying at the Manhattan School of Music, later continuing her education at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music. As an Official Steinway Artist, she has become a global musical force, gracing iconic stages from Madison Square Garden to her recent sold-out debut at Royal Albert Hall. Her genre-defying performances have included a show-stopping GRAMMY® moment with Cardi B, a powerful appearance on Saturday Night Live with Lil Baby, and featured performances at the 2023 Golden Globes and the Kennedy Center Honors. Most recently, she performed as a soloist with The National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and the Seattle Symphony Orchestra. Chloe’s versatility extends beyond the stage. She has co-produced and composed for artists such as Céline Dion, Johnny Mathis, 2 Chainz, Swae Lee, NAS, Babyface and Deepak Chopra. Her scoring credits include Misty Copeland’s documentary, A Ballerina’s Tale, multiple projects for Kevin Hart including NBC’s Hart to Heart, and Paramount+’s On the Come Up. She has also composed original music for and performed in campaigns by Volvo, Krug Champagne, Estée Lauder and more. But Chloe’s greatest passion lies in using her platform for purpose. She has been a passionate advocate for anti-human trafficking efforts since 2006 and has championed music education and the empowerment of women in music. Chloe has established multiple scholarships for young female composers and conductors at leading institutions (including the Royal Academy of Music, Brooklyn Music School, and Manhattan School of Music) in an effort to help bring equality to the classical music space. Chloe currently serves on the advisory board of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Blue Heart Campaign, the leadership council of Apex For Youth, and is a board member of The Liberace Foundation, The Boulanger Initiative, and the Manhattan School of Music.

GALA EMCEE

Richard Lui

Anchor & Journalist, NBC News/MSNBC

Richard Lui is an award-winning journalist with over 30 years of experience across media, technology, and business. He is the first and longest-serving AAPI male news anchor on national television, currently broadcasting for MSNBC and NBC News, and previously for CNN Worldwide. As a documentary filmmaker, he recently released the Oscar-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 through Universal Pictures and AMC Theatres. Before entering journalism, Lui spent 15 years in business, launching six brands across three tech cycles and patenting a fintech model with Citibank Singapore. He has served on the boards of fintech and AI companies, as well as nonprofit organizations including the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation and Freedom United. He is a fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors, one of 200 U.S. Department of State Traveling Speakers, a Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund, and an ambassador for organizations focused on gender equality and combating human trafficking. Lui is the bestselling, award-winning author of Enough About Me: The Unexpected Power of Selflessness (HarperCollins Zondervan), and the author of the Inclusion@Work risk reports presented at Davos, SXSW, CES, and Cannes Lions. He is widely recognized as an authority on inclusion and the care economy, and serves as an ambassador for the Elizabeth Dole Foundation’s Hidden Heroes campaign, AARP, and the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

GALA SPONSORS

Imperial Sponsor

Imperial Tables

Patricia Pei & James Chang

Randy & Art Yuen

Anonymous

Pearl Tables

Alexander & Irene Chu

Lucy & Victor Kan

Kevin D. Eng & Un Hae Song Foundation

Stephen T. Limpe

Joe & Lily Wong

Patron Sponsor

Bloomberg Philanthropies

Patron Tables

Katherine Yang & Raymond Chan 

Robert Chen, The Chen Group at Morgan Stanley 

Russell Chong 

Rosemarie & Lee Shomstein

Community Tables

Ling Chow, Gilbert Liu & Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer 

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP 

Creative Artists Agency 

Annabel & Brian Delaney 

Mitchell & Jackie Harris

Law Firm of Cesar de Castro, P.C., Rany Ng and Edward & Joyce Wu

William & May Louie

Mayer Brown LLP 

Garry Tan 

Tao Tan & Sarah Gitlin

Andrew Yuan & Seven Gu

Luminary Supporters

Justin Chi

Chester P. Lee and Helen P. Chiu

Observer Media

Philip Salem & Goldman Sachs Gives

Remington Tonar

Tronex International, Inc.

Patron Supporters 

Alicia Cho

Athletic Partner

GALA CHAIR

Jessica Wang

HOST COMMITTEE

Louis Andre

Allister Chan

Stephanie Chan

Danielle Chang

Christine Chiu

Russell Chong

Ling Chow

Chloe Flower

Archie Kao

Ly Le

David Lu

Bach Mai

Amanda Nguyen

Rosemarie Shomstein

Minyi Su

Lewis Tan

Conray Tseng

Panney Wei

Karen Wong

Faith Xue

AUCTION LOT NO.1

The Ultimate Champagne Insider Experience

with Piper-Heidsieck & Rare Champagne

Step into the world of Rare Champagne through a journey created for true collectors, connoisseurs, and lovers of exceptional access.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience begins in Paris, where one winning couple will enjoy a night at a luxury boutique hotel, with personalized recommendations and VIP assistance to make the most of their time in the city. From there, the experience continues to Champagne, France, for an intimate immersion into one of the region’s most celebrated Maisons.

In Reims, guests will stay for two nights at the private Résidence Eisenhower, an extraordinary address steeped in history and rarely accessible to the public. Once the residence of General Dwight D. Eisenhower during a pivotal chapter at the end of World War II, the property offers a setting where history, hospitality, and Champagne come together in a way that feels deeply personal and impossible to recreate.

During the stay, guests will be welcomed into the world of Rare Champagne with a private cellar tour, vineyard visits, and educational tastings that reveal the craftsmanship, terroirs, blending, and aging behind one of Champagne’s most exclusive houses. The experience includes an exclusive tasting of current releases and rare library vintages, along with the opportunity to meet members of the winemaking team.

The journey continues through gastronomy and culture, with a Michelin-starred chef dinner paired with Rare Champagne, either in a private dining room at the Maison or at one of Reims’ iconic dining destinations. Guests will also enjoy a private Champagne-paired lunch and a curated visit through historic Reims, including Reims Cathedral and key cultural landmarks.

To commemorate the experience, the winning couple will receive one Magnum of Rare Champagne Millésime 2012, or a back vintage selected by the Maison.

This is more than a Champagne trip. It is privileged access into the history, vision, and artistry of Rare Champagne, created for those who understand that the most meaningful luxuries are rarely available, deeply personal, and impossible to repeat.

Insider’s Info

This experience is for one winning couple. Dates to be mutually agreed upon and subject to availability. International airfare is not included. Paris hotel accommodation, Champagne accommodations, transportation within Champagne, meals, tastings, and activities are included as specified. Winery representatives and winemaking team participation are subject to availability. Blackout dates may apply during harvest and major industry events.

AUCTION LOT NO.2

Friar’s Head

An Exclusive Experience at One of Golf’s Most Private and Coveted Destinations

Some invitations are not simply rare. They feel almost whispered.

Ranked among the top golf courses in the United States and the world, Friar’s Head is one of golf’s most private and coveted destinations. This exclusive experience offers four golfers the opportunity to enjoy an unforgettable day of extraordinary golf and rare access.

The day begins with lunch hosted by a Friar’s Head member, followed by a round of golf. After the round, guests will gather for dinner, completing a day defined by exceptional company, remarkable golf, and the quiet luxury of one of the game’s most sought-after settings.

Set against the beauty of the season, this is golf as it should be: unhurried, private, and deeply memorable. A dream for the serious golfer, the collector of rare experiences, or anyone who understands that true luxury is not excess. It is access.

This experience includes one round of golf and may be redeemed only during the off-season months of April, May, September, or October. Early fall is especially recommended.

MOCA PRESIDENT

Michael Lee

MOCA TRUSTEE

Robert Chen

June Jee

Lucy Kan

Eric T. Lee

Jennifer 8. Lee

Stephen Limpe

Patricia Pei

Minyi Su

Tao Tan

Oscar Wong

Emily Y. Yueh

Randy Yuen

MOCA ADVISORY BOARD

Louis Andre

Pei Pei Cheng de Castro

Blaise Chow

Ling Chow

Bernice Chu

Matthew Chua

Roy I. Delbyck

Diana Eng

Maya Ho

James Jian Hu

Vic Lee

Jessica Wang

Koda Wang

Sophie Yu

Nia Zhang