The New York City Asian American organization “Asian Americans for Equality” (AAFE), or simply AAFE, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a grand gala and symposium on May 30 in Tribeca, Manhattan. The event honored Asian American pioneers in politics and social activism, reflecting on AAFE’s history and challenges in promoting racial justice and advocating for the rights of the Asian American community since its inception in Chinatown in 1974.
During the gala, AAFE Executive Director Thomas Yu paid tribute to the late activist photographer Corky Lee and presented the award to Lee’s brother, John Lee, in recognition of Corky Lee’s dedication to capturing the involvement of Asian Americans in social movements through his photography. Many of the photographs displayed at the gala were the work of Corky Lee. Another political trailblazer honored at the event was New York State Senator John Liu.
The symposium preceding the gala focused on AAFE’s nearly half-century of social activism history and future prospects, featuring prominent figures including founding member and New York City Deputy Mayor Phil Thompson, Manhattan’s first Asian American female City Council member Margaret Chin, former AAFE Executive Director Doris Koo, and current Board Chair Lydia Tom. The discussion was moderated by Kathy Kim of Hot Bread Kitchen.
Former New York City Council Member Margaret Chin, in an interview, recalled her early involvement with AAFE as a student at the City University of New York, where she collaborated with Lydia Tom and others to advocate for Asian American education, the Confucius Plaza, and workers’ rights for the Chinese community. Chin expressed her hope for AAFE’s continued progress and acknowledged the weighty responsibilities facing its leadership in shaping a better future for society.
Peter Tu, the newly appointed Commissioner of the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission by New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Chief Consultant of the Flushing Chinese Business Association, also attended the AAFE gala. In his speech, Tu emphasized the importance of unity among the minority Chinese community in the United States, urging for cooperation rather than division and emphasizing the need for increased mutual understanding and closeness among ethnic groups.