The D.C.-based event brought together influential storytellers, honoring director Ang Lee and helmed by C100 chair and former Academy president Janet Yang 

WASHINGTON — Chinese American leaders and advocates gathered in the nation’s capital on September 28 for an awards gala to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday and reflect on the community’s contributions to American life.  

The gala, organized by Chinese American nonprofit Committee of 100, was the first under the leadership of Janet Yang, its new board chair and former Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president. The evening’s marquee honoree was award-winning director Ang Lee, who shared the stage with Yang for a fireside chat. Lee received the organization’s Legacy Award. 

Lee, who was born in Taiwan, came to the U.S. for college. He said outsiders can be good storytellers because “we don’t assume we know. I can see through the text and go straight to the subtext.”  

Award-winning director Ang Lee being presented Committee of 100’s Legacy Award by C100 Board Chair and former AMPAS president Janet Yang. 

Ang Lee and Janet Yang discuss Lee’s life and career during a fireside chat at the “Forging America’s Promise” awards gala. 

Lee’s next film, “Gold Mountain,” will bring one era of Chinese American history to the big screen. Based on the C. Pam Zhang’s novel “How Much of These Hills is Gold,” the film follows two Chinese American immigrants confronting the Western frontier at the end of the California Gold Rush. 

Anla Cheng, founder and CEO of The Serica Initiative, was honored with C100’s Inspire Award. Serica amplifies Asian American voices through storytelling, convening and empowering through our webinars, events, mentorship programs, CEO dinners and more. 

“Tonight’s theme, ‘Forging America’s Promise,’ speaks to me so personally” said Cheng, who recounted how her immigrant mother taught her to appreciate America’s freedoms. “A promise isn’t something you inherit. It’s something you forge in your collective conscience generation after generation. So I try to do my part.” 

Serica Initiative founder & CEO Anla Cheng receiving Committee of 100’s Inspire Award, presented by C100 D.C. Regional Chair and gala planning committee chair Handel Lee. 

Together, three organizations—American Civil Liberties Union, APIAVote, and the Philadelphia Orchestra—received the C100 impact award, honoring their work advocating for and bringing visibility to the Asian American community, or in the orchestra’s case, building cultural bridges with China. 

“The fight for racial justice requires that all of our communities come together, united by the fact that our rights are deeply connected, and we must do everything in our power to protect them. We at the ACLU are honored to receive this award and be in this work with Committee of 100,” said Yasmin Cader, Deputy Executive Director for Program, Strategy, and Culture at the American Civil Liberties Union. 

The ACLU was honored at the gala for its work defending the rights of the Asian American community, particularly through its Supreme Court arguments this year in Trump v. Barbara, its legal challenges to Florida’s SB 264, and for pressing the federal government to end its China Initiative. 

Representatives from ACLU, APIAVote, and the Philadelphia Orchestra together accept Committee of 100’s Impact Award, presented by C100 President Paul Cheung and Executive Vice President Cindy Tsai. 

In 2020, APIAVote’s efforts helped to achieve the highest-ever turnout for Asian Americans in a national election at close to 60%. The organization also trains nonprofit staff, organizers, and student leaders through its Norman Y. Mineta Leadership Institute. 

“This honor highlights the importance of our efforts to lift Asian American and Pacific Islander voices. Voting is our right and our voice; we count when we show up.” said Christine Chen, Executive Director and Founder of APIAVote. 

The gala’s emcees, breaking news anchor at MSNBC/MS NOW and C100 member Richard Lui and CBS News Senior White House Correspondent Weijia Jiang. 

The Philadelphia Orchestra’s work building bridges between the United States and China goes back over fifty years. In September 1973, more than 100 Philadelphia Orchestra members boarded a PanAm chartered flight from Philadelphia via San Francisco, Honolulu, and Tokyo to Shanghai, becoming the first American symphony orchestra to play in the People’s Republic of China in a quarter of a century. 

“Music builds bridges, and we are proud that The Philadelphia Orchestra has played a part in facilitating connection and dialogue across borders. Everybody knew where they were when The Philadelphia Orchestra toured in 1973—even today, people I encounter tell me about their memory of that moment in history,” said Ryan Fleur, President and CEO of The Philadelphia Orchestra and Ensemble Arts. 

Committee of 100 Board Chair Janet Yang and D.C. Regional Chair Handel Lee speaking to gala attendees. 

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About Committee of 100 

Committee of 100 empowers Chinese Americans and bridges America and China, leading with vision and purpose. For over 30 years, we have been the preeminent non-profit leadership organization of distinguished Chinese Americans, advancing full participation in American society and constructive U.S.-China relations through groundbreaking research, policy analysis, leadership development and civic engagement. Learn more at committee100.org. 

Media Contacts: 

Committee of 100 

Sam Jones, Communications Specialist, sjones@committee100.org