Jack Tchen is a co-founder of the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA), and at the time of this interview, a professor at NYU. This interview, conducted shortly after the opening of the museum at 215 Centre Street, explores the origins and significance of MOCA and its new core exhibition that Tchen co-curated, With a Single Step: Stories in the Making of America. Tchen highlights the museum unique collection of humble and everyday objects, such as 8-pound irons and personal papers, that help the museum weave a broader narrative of Chinatown and its history. He also underscores the museums role in connecting the history of Chinatown to that of the larger city and nation. The core exhibit delves into the history of Chinese immigration and the impact of exclusion laws, emphasizing community formation and civil rights advancements. Personal anecdotes, such as of dumpster diving in Chinatown when older businesses and generations were being displaced, illustrate how Tchen and the museum built significant historical collections from saving and salvaging simple discarded materials. The museum serves as a dynamic space, bringing together Chinese Americans and fostering global cultural interactions, while also inviting people from diverse backgrounds to engage with and understand this rich cultural heritage.