MOCA TALKS: The Making of Asian American Magazines
October 3, 2024, 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Can’t attend in person? Register for virtual participation
The Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) cordially invites you to an insightful discussion on the creation and evolution of Asian American magazines with the founders and editors behind some of the most influential publications: Melissa Hung of Hyphen, Lakán Angelo Ragaza of A. Magazine, Tommy Tam of YOLK, and Larry Tazuma of KoreAm and YOLK. These pioneers will share their experiences and challenges in launching and sustaining culturally specific publications in a pre-internet era, where ethnic media served as crucial platforms for representation and community building. The conversation will be moderated by acclaimed writer and editor Camille Bromley.
About the Speakers
Melissa Hung is a writer and journalist. She is the founding editor in chief of Hyphen and served in leadership roles at the independent magazine for more than a decade. Melissa writes about immigrant communities, culture, food, disability, grief, and more. Her essays and reported stories have appeared in NPR, Vogue, Longreads, and the anthologies Body Language and Disability Intimacy. A 2024 Sewanee Scholar, she is at work on a collection of creative nonfiction about her mother and inheritance. She grew up in Houston, Texas, the eldest child of Chinese immigrants.
Lakán Angelo Ragaza was managing editor of A. Magazine from 1994 to 1996 and editor-in-chief from 1996 to 1998. He was also executive editor of Vibe Magazine. His writing has appeared in Vogue, The New York Times, Newsweek, W, and The Village Voice. He is also a photographer (he shot the Fall 2024 cover of Yes! Magazine) as well as a screenwriter, lyricist, and music arranger. He is currently developing a queer, English-language, pop-fusion update of the opera Carmen.
Tommy Tam, a lifelong Artist and Entrepreneur, was born in Mississippi and has worked in various locations including China. A graduate of USC, majoring in Exercise Science and Fine Art, he has over 20 years of graphic design, print media production & publishing experience. He was the founder and publisher of YOLK™ Magazine — an Asian American pop culture, entertainment & lifestyle publication (1994-2004), based in Southern California. Tommy develops personal artwork with pencil, marker, spray paint, brush & roller and digital devices. He resides in Jacksonville, Florida, and is the creator of the popular Secret Tiki Temple venture. When not working, he continues to seek the perfect spot to paint his trademark panda!
Larry Tazuma has a BA from the Edward R. Murrow School of Journalism at WSU. He was an asst. news producer at KIRO-TV in his hometown Seattle before moving to LA. He’s served as editor and/or writer for Northwest Nikkei, KoreAm Journal, Asia InPlay, and YOLK, where he coined its name. Currently sr. proofreader / copy editor at David&Goliath, host of the OG Yolk Podcast, and a part-time actor. He lives near LA with his wife and daughter.
Camille Bromley is a writer and editor of magazine journalism. She was a features editor at Wired, The Believer, and Harper’s.
