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The 2024 Museum of Chinese in America Legacy Awards Gala will welcome more than 500 guests on Thursday, November 7th, in New York City. Since its first gala in 1995, MOCA has celebrated the outstanding contributions and accomplishments of nearly 100 individuals, families, and entities whose service as pioneers, role models, and leaders has paved the way for generations. Funds raised support MOCA’s public and educational programming, benefiting over 50,000 visitors annually.

We would not be able to make this event a success without the support of a larger community. Thank you to all participants and sponsors for their dedication to the Museum’s mission.

Legacy Award 2024 Honorees

Stanley Chang, M.D.

K.K. Tse and Ku Teh Ying Professor of Ophthalmology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center – NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital

Stanley Chang, MD, is the K.K. Tse and Ku Teh Ying Professor of Ophthalmology Columbia University Irving Medical Center.  He received his medical degree from the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He completed a residency at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston, and a retina fellowship at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami.  After completion of training Dr. Chang joined the faculty at Weill Cornell College of Medicine where he rose to the rank of Professor of Ophthalmology in 1993. From 1995-2012, he was appointed the Edward S. Harkness Professor and Chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at Columbia University and Director of the Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute at New York Presbyterian Hospital.  Since stepping down as chair he remains an active practitioner and faculty member.

Dr. Chang has developed and pioneered several revolutionary surgical approaches to treat complicated forms of retinal detachment, improving outcomes for patients worldwide.  He was the first to use perfluoropropane (long-lasting) gas in the management of retinal detachments caused by scar tissue proliferation (PVR) on the retina.  He developed perfluorocarbon liquids, a ‘heavy liquid’ used in flattening retinal detachment, and the related surgical techniques for vitreoretinal surgery.  In collaboration with Avi Grinblat, he developed a panoramic viewing system and led in the worldwide adaptation by retina surgeons to this technique.

As Chair at Columbia and New York Presbyterian, his leadership has led to the additional establishment of 14 endowed professorships in the department.  The full-time academic clinical practice was formed and sites were expanded within Manhattan.  The research program was refocused on molecular biology and genetics.  Sixteen former faculty and fellows have gone on to lead departments of ophthalmology nationally and globally.

He is the recipient of honors including the Hermann Wacker Prize from the Club Jules Gonin, Helmerich Prize from the American Society of Retinal Specialists, the Lifetime Achievement Honor Award and the Charles Schepens Lecture from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Jackson Memorial Lecture, the Alcon Research Institute Award, the Lifetime Innovator Award from Ophthalmology Innovation Summit.  Most recently in 2022, he was awarded the Jules Gonin Medal from the International Council of Ophthalmology, given to an outstanding ophthalmologist every four years, considered the oldest and highest honor in the specialty.  This year he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Retina Hall of Fame, American Society of Retina Specialists, and Laureate Award from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the society’s highest honor.  Consistently named as one of America’s best doctors, Dr. Chang was selected as National Physician of the Year by the Castle Connolly Guides in 2008.

Connie Chung

Television Journalist

A trailblazing journalist for NBC, CBS, ABC, Connie Chung shattered glass ceilings, paving the way for many women and Asians alike. In 1969, at the age of 23, the once-shy daughter of Chinese parents took her first job at a local TV station in her hometown of DC and soon thereafter began working at CBS News as a correspondent. 

Chung was tenacious in her pursuit of stories – battling rival reporters to get scoops that ranged from interviewing Magic Johnson to covering the Watergate scandal – and quickly became a household name. She made history when she became the first woman to co-anchor the CBS Evening News and the first Asian to anchor any news program in the country.  An entire generation of Asian women were named after her.

In Connie: A Memoir, Chung pulls no punches as she shares a behind-the-scenes tour of her life and career, from showdowns with powerful men in and out of the newsroom where overt sexism was a way of life to the stories behind some of her career-defining reporting.

Jimmy O. Yang

Actor, Comedian, Writer and Producer

JIMMY O. YANG is an actor, comedian, writer and producer who is best known for his roles in LOVE HARD, SILICON VALLEY, CRAZY RICH ASIANS and SPACE FORCE, where he also served as a writer. Upcoming, he is slated to be the lead on Hulu’s Interior Chinatown, directed by Taika Waititi and written by Charles Yu, based on the award winning book of the same name. As a standup comedian, Jimmy’s newest standup comedy special GUESS HOW MUCH? premiered on Amazon Prime to millions of views on the platform and socials. Jimmy’s debut standup comedy special GOOD DEAL, also on Amazon Prime, likewise quickly became some of the most viewed standup comedy clips on social media. Jimmy is also the author of HOW TO AMERICAN, a memoir where he shares his early experience of coming to America as an immigrant from Hong Kong, only to later disappoint his parents by becoming a standup comedian.

Special Guest Speaker

BD Wong

Tony Award-Winning Actor and AAPI/LGBTQ+ Advocate

BD Wong’s many films include: HEART OF STONE, BIRD BOX, JURASSIC WORLD, JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDON, JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION, FOCUS, STAY, MULAN (1 & 2), THE SALTON SEA, SEVEN YEARS IN TIBET, FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1 & 2), and JURASSIC PARK. He received the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Theater World, Clarence Derwent, and Tony Awards for his Broadway debut in the play M. BUTTERFLY. He played FBI Forensic Psychiatrist George Huang for 11 seasons on LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, prison chaplain Ray Mukada on HBO’s OZ, “whiterose” in MR. ROBOT (Emmy and Critic’s Choice nominations), Prof. Hugo Strange in GOTHAM, and Nora’s chill Dad, Wally, in AWKWAFINA IS NORA FROM QUEENS. He also appeared as Margaret Cho’s older brother, Stuart, in America’s first Asian-American family on ALL-AMERICAN GIRL, and as well as in the television film adaptations of THE NORMAL HEART and AND THE BAND PLAYED ON. Broadway includes the revivals of YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN and PACIFIC OVERTURES. Other theater includes THE GREAT LEAP (Atlantic Theater, A.C.T), THE ORPHAN OF ZHAO (A.C.T., La Jolla Playhouse), HERRINGBONE (American Music Theater Festival, Williamstown Theatre Festival, McCarter Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse). He directed the World Premiere of MR. HOLLAND’S OPUS, the new musical which he co-wrote with composer Wayne Barker, at The Ogunquit Playhouse and YES, I CAN SAY THAT at Primary Stages starring Judy Gold. He is the author of the critically acclaimed memoir Following Foo: (the electronic adventures of the Chestnut Man); (Harper Entertainment). He has been recognized by the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Asian American Journalist’s Association, Asian AIDS Project, GLAAD, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, The Anti-Violence Project, Lambda Legal, Museum of Chinese in America, and Marriage Equality New York. He sits on the Board of Trustees of The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors’ Fund), American Conservatory Theatre, and Rosie’s Theater Kids. @wongbd

Gala Sponsors

Jade Sponsors
Alexander & Irene Chu
J.T. Tai & Co. Foundation
James and Victoria Chang Family Foundation
Eric T. Lee & Cindy Chua

Gold Sponsors
Robert Chen The Chen Group at Morgan Stanley
Ken Fong & Frances Onne-Fong
Patricia Pei
Lucy & Victor Kan
Randy & Art Yuen

Silver Sponsors
Con Edison
Mitchell & Jackie Harris
Stephen T. Limpe
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)
Emily Yueh

Bronze Sponsors
CAMS and CAIPA
Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Lacquer Sponsors
Affinity Asset Advisors, LLC
Latham & Watkins LLP
Law Firm of César de Castro P.C.
Jennifer 8. Lee
Tao Tan & Sarah Gitlin
Tronex Healthcare
Bonnie Wong
Edward & Joyce Wu
Andrew Yuan

Gala Host Committee

Tickets & Sponsorships

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 with a logo, verbal recognition during the gala program, and acknowledgment in the annual report.

Please respond by September 20, 2024, to be listed in the official invitation. Respond by October 11, 2024 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!

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