The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) 2025 Legacy Awards Gala was one of those rare evenings where the weight of history and the warmth of community felt perfectly aligned. Beyond the celebration, the night served as a vital reminder of MOCA’s mission: to preserve and interpret the rich, often overlooked stories that define the Chinese American experience.
Every year, the gala honors people and organizations whose work truly captures the spirit and energy of the Chinese American community. It’s always an inspiring mix of artists, entrepreneurs, public figures, and philanthropists. It felt less like a formal gala and more like a heartfelt gathering of people who care deeply about telling their stories and keeping their culture alive.
THE MUSEUM
Founded in 1980, New York City’s MOCA maintains a collection of more than 85,000 artifacts, photographs, printed materials, textiles, and oral histories documenting the Chinese American experience. In January 2020, a devastating fire broke out at MOCA’s archives in Chinatown, threatening decades of irreplaceable historical materials.
Fortunately, a significant portion of the collection had already been digitized, and much of the damaged material was recovered and restored by professional disaster-relief and conservation specialists. Donations arrived to help restore the museum, and the Ford Foundation contributed significantly through its “America’s Cultural Treasures” initiative.
In 2024, MOCA took a major step forward by purchasing a new permanent home at 215 Centre Street in NYC’s Chinatown. They are now in the midst of envisioning and planning how to use the entire building for museum programming.
THE MOCA GALA
The evening featured the inspiring theme “Our Voice, Our Story.” It honored the journeys, dreams, and triumphs that have shaped generations of Chinese Americans—and continue to define the country’s cultural landscape. The gala was held at New York’s Pier 60, Chelsea Piers.
The event honoured three remarkable figures whose work continues to motivate and influence communities worldwide: Richard Lui, the pioneering television anchor; Janet Yang, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning producer; and actress and producer Lisa Lu.
A NIGHT OF ELEGANCE AND MEANING
Over 500 guests enjoyed the evening, which began with a lively cocktail reception and continued with a formal dinner and an inspirational program featuring heartfelt storytelling.
Among the distinguished guests were MOCA President Michael Lee, co-chairs of the board Eric Lee and Stephen Limpe, fashion designers Vivienne Tam and Alexander Wang, composer Lucia Hwong Gordon (Lisa Lu’s daughter), Chinatown icon Marcella Chin Dear, and fashion influencer Jessica Wang.
ENTERTAINMENT
Guests enjoyed an enchanting performance by ARKAI, the electro-acoustic string duo of Jonathan Miron and Philip Sheegog, both classically trained musicians who met at Juilliard. Their act blended tradition with innovation, echoing the evening’s theme of connecting past and future.
THE HONOREES
Trailblazing journalist Richard Lui was recognized for his pioneering career spanning more than thirty years in media. As the first Asian American man to anchor a daily national cable news program in the U.S., Lui has used his platforms at MSNBC (recently rebranded as MS NOW) and CNN to help bridge cultural divides. Television icon Connie Chung congratulated Lui via video message.
Next was Janet Yang, an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning producer and former President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Yang continues to empower Asian and Asian American voices in film. As President of Janet Yang Productions, she has produced acclaimed works that include The Joy Luck Club, Over the Moon, and Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun.
THE AUCTION
Auctioneer Jamie McDonald led a lively live auction that helped the 45-year-old museum set a new fundraising record to support its mission of preserving and sharing the Chinese American experience. The evening brought in over $2 million in support.
LISA LU: A LEGENDARY CAREER SPANNING SEVEN DECADES
Honoree Lisa Lu’s life reads like a Hollywood epic. She lives in Los Angeles and could not attend in person, but with marvelous technology, she was livestreamed to express her gratitude in real time. In Lu’s place, her daughter Lucia Hwong Gordon represented her for the evening.
In May 2025, at 98 years old, Lu became the oldest person to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This legendary actress and producer’s career spans film, television, and stage. Tonight, she was recognized for her lifelong contributions to the arts and her role in paving the way for future generations of performers.
LU’S PERFORMING CAREER
Lu began her performing career in Beijing, where she trained in the classical traditions of Peking opera. She has appeared in more than 60 films and television productions. At age 33, Lu co-starred with James Stewart in the 1960 World War II drama The Mountain Road, which highlighted cultural connections during the war, thus beginning her career rise that has continued to this day. She even had a commemorative postage stamp issued in China.
Many remember her performances in Bernardo Bertolucci’s epic The Last Emperor (1987), in which she played the Empress Dowager CiXi; in producer Wayne Wang and writer Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club (1993); and Kevin Kwan’s global hit, Crazy Rich Asians (2018), where she starred as Ah Ma, the matriarch of Singapore’s wealthiest family.
A LASTING IMPRESSION
In person, Lisa Lu has a commanding presence that leaves a lasting impression. I first met her at a luncheon ten years ago at the private Doubles Club in New York City. She entered with a regal, quiet calm that immediately made me want to know her story. A few minutes later, I learned she was the mother of my friend, composer Lucia Hwong Gordon — a quintessential New York surprise that still makes me smile.
Our paths crossed again when she was my dinner partner in San Francisco at a birthday celebration for the late Cecilia Chiang, a pioneering restaurateur who introduced authentic Chinese cuisine to America and passed away in 2020 at age 100.
HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME CEREMONY 2025
In May 2025, at age 98, Lisa Lu became the oldest person ever to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was honoured with a ceremony at the iconic intersection of Hollywood and Vine, where her newly unveiled star now shines alongside trailblazing actors Anna May Wong and James Stewart.
Among those celebrating her achievement was Awkwafina, star of Crazy Rich Asians, and Janet Yang, then-President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, both of whom praised Lu’s enduring influence and pioneering spirit. A fitting tribute to a performer whose work has bridged cultures and generations.
Afterward, Lu’s family and friends lunched at Beverly Hills Crustaceans, where tables were set up for different film families: Luck Club, Crazy Rich Asians, and the Dowager Empress of the Last Emperor.
A LUNCHEON TO CELEBRATE THE AWARD
A WHIRLWIND TRIP TO CHINA AT 99
At 99, Lisa Lu is not slowing down — she is accelerating. Her recent 21-day dash through Beijing and Shanghai was a triumph of theatre, film, music, and celebration, delivered at a pace that would challenge anyone decades younger.
The journey also marked a milestone birthday of 99 years (joyfully rounded up to 100 in Chinese tradition) with a welcome-home party at Jiao Tung University, her alma mater. More honours followed swiftly, including the Shanghai Film Museum’s Best Producer Award. And that was just the official schedule! Layered in were countless lunches, dinners, and birthday celebrations held in her honour.
Three weeks, two cities, and a lifetime of achievement on display — Lisa Lu’s China visit proved that talent has no age limit.
MOCA’S LEGACY OF STORYTELLING
In essence, the 2025 MOCA Legacy Awards Gala was not just a celebration — it was a reaffirmation of identity, a bridge between generations, and a promise that the Chinese American story will continue to illuminate the broader American experience.
Each award recipient embodied the spirit of perseverance and innovation that defines the Chinese American experience. Their stories reflected a shared commitment to bridging cultures and fostering understanding. The gala’s atmosphere, filled with gratitude, reflection, and hope, reminded attendees that storytelling remains one of the most powerful tools for cultural continuity and empowerment.
(Photos by Jeanne Lawrence and Lucia Hwong Gordon, and courtesy MOCA, Wikimedia Commons, Karen Zhou, and Maya Lin Studio.)