Betty Lee Sung, MOCA Fourth Annual Celebration of Community Heroes Honoree, is an activist, author, and professor emeritus of City University of New York (CUNY). As a scholar of Asian American studies, her several publications on Asian American race issues have been recognized as an influential force in advancing the rights of Asian Americans and immigrants in the United States. Sung holds an honorary doctorate from the State University of New York Old Westbury. In the interview, she talked about her childhood, her school and education, family, career, her publication, and creation of the CUNY Asian American and Asian Research Institute (AAARI).

Maxine Hong Kingston born on October 27, 1940, is an award-winning author and poet, noted for her novels and non-fiction writing concerning the Chinese American experience. Her work blends elements of her cultural heritage and folklore, and often comments on issues of gender, ethnicity, and oppression. In this interview, Maxine discusses her family, her childhood, her education, and her achievement as author and being a Chinese American. She reflects on the legacy that she leaves to her granddaughter.

Thomas C. Ahn is the current vice president of the Real Estate Division of Mount Sinai Hospital. He received MOCA 2018 Legacy Gala Award for his participation in the construction of the Central Street side of the museum, his service as a board member, and plenty of contributions to the community. In this interview Mr. Ahn discusses his childhood raising by a single mother, assimilation into American society, careers in gymnastics, engineering, construction, and real estate, and his participation and contributions to MOCA and the Chinese American community.

Harriet Tung, the grand daughter of Lt. General Ying Hsing Wen, discusses life of her grandfather life and his lasting legacy. Lt. Gen. Ying Tsing Wen (b. 1887), MOCA 2018 Legacy Awards Gala honoree, enriched the U.S. China relationship as a critical time given what seemed to be irreparable damage caused by the Boxer Rebellion. After becoming the first Asian graduate of West Point Military Academy in 1909, he returned to China and served in military and civilian positions in the Republican government. His life in the U.S. began representing China as a cadet at West point but his experience there undoubtedly shaped his outlook as he did his part to change China from a feudal to modern country.

Nancy C. Lee, JP, distinguished arts and education philanthropist and MOCA 2018 Legacy Awards Gala honoree, shares her family journey. She is now chairman of the non-profit organization Friends of the Hong Kong Museum of art, and she discusses her path to becoming an arts historian. She recounts her family’s journey that spanned from China to Latin America, then to the US, and finally to Hong Kong. She emphasizes the importance of art and philanthropy.

Richard and Jane Liu sit down with MOCA to discuss the journey of their family. They briefly talk about their early lives in China and Taiwan. Richard discusses his time working for a newspaper in Taiwan before moving to New York City to work as an editor for a newspaper in Chinatown. The two further discuss their thoughts on child rearing and the current political climate of the U.S. for Chinese Americans. They give advice to their children and discuss their legacy.

Mae Yih, MOCA 2019 Legacy Awards Honoree, is an internationally esteemed and admired legislator who made history 43 years ago when she won a seat in the Oregon House of Representatives as the first Chinese American elected to a state legislature anywhere in the United States. As a revered public official, Ms. Yih served 26 years in the legislature after she had served on the board of two local schools for 13 years, a total of 39 years of outstanding public services. Her many accomplishments in the State of Oregon include introducing and helping to pass legislation that created a sister-state relationship between Oregon and Fujian province in China. She has made a significant impact in the development of U.S.-China relations for more than three decades. Her book, titled East Meets West: A Bridge to Understanding, Friendship, Trust, Peace, and Prosperity Between My Mother and Adopted Countries, shares her experiences and powerful lessons that she learned from life in China, America, and public services. Through her public services path until today, Mae Yih has always followed the words of Millicent Carey McIntosh, a former president of Barnard College: “use your education and be involved in the decision-making process for the benefit of your community.”

Rita and Patrick Lee are first-generation Chinese Americans. In this interview, they address memories including Patrick’s journey from Hong Kong to America, the development of Patrick’s financial career, his business philosophy, their parenting philosophy, and their Chinese identity. They also bring family photos to the interview and give a short description to each of them.

New Jersey Philanthropist Margaret Lam sits down with MOCA to discuss growing up in Hong Kong and her journey to the US. She goes on to discuss her assimilation into American culture and how she went about bringing together the New Jersey Chinese community. Today she is a distinguished philanthropist and Vice President of the New Jersey Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce.

Tzi Ma, pioneering actor whose stage/TV/film performances have delighted audiences worldwide, challenged Hollywood stereotypes and broken down barriers for Asian American/Pacific Islanders. MOCA 2019 Legacy Awards Gala honoree, talks about growing up on Staten Island and working in his parent’s restaurant. He goes on to discuss how he got into theater during grade school and how it drove his acting career. The conversation progresses to his acts of activism during his teens and his association with progressive organizations such as the Black Panthers and the Students for a Democratic Society. He further elaborates on his career and discusses Asian representation in Hollywood.