Chris Kay and
On Tuesday, April 2nd, Apex held its 32nd Inspiration Awards Gala, where we uplifted the need for mental health programming and well-being support for Asian American youth. It was a night of community, celebration and connection where we heard stories from our youth and mentors, and honored Constance Wu as we all came together to DREAM OUT LOUD!
Thanks to the generosity of our incredible supporters and friends, we raised $1.3 million from the evening’s paddle raise, for a total of $3 million at this year’s Gala! These funds will help provide mental health and well-being programs to all 2,500 of our youth, including critical services for 300 high-needs youth and support for 100 family members.
Constance Wu is a vibrant and acclaimed actress, illuminating the path for aspiring Asian American youth to dream bigger through her dynamic performances and groundbreaking achievements. From her captivating memoir, Making A Scene, which unveils a journey of resilience and self-discovery, to her notable roles in films like Crazy Rich Asians, for which she earned Golden Globe® and Critics Choice® nominations, Constance serves as a trailblazer breaking barriers in Hollywood. As the star of ABC’s Fresh off the Boat, she made history by anchoring the first American Network TV show centered around an Asian American family in over two decades and earned a spot in the TIME 100 Most Influential People of 2017. Constance’s unwavering commitment to diverse storytelling and her production venture, Tempo Wubato Pictures, further solidify her as an inspiring force, encouraging the next generation of Asian American talent to envision and pursue limitless possibilities.
BD Wong won all five New York theater awards, including the Tony, for his performance in M. Butterfly (his Broadway debut) and has since appeared in numerous Broadway, Off- Broadway, and regional productions. His many films include Heart of Stone, Bird Box, three Jurassic World films, Focus, Mulan (1 & 2), Seven Years in Tibet, Father of the Bride (1 & 2), and Jurassic Park. On television, he has appeared on The Girls on the Bus, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, Mr. Robot (which earned him a Emmy nomination), American Horror Story: Apocalypse, Gotham, Madam Secretary, CSI: New Orleans, Law & Order: SVU, Oz, and All-American Girl. As a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry and LGBTQ+ rights, his influence extends far beyond his performances.
The annual Apex for Youth gala is the premier Asian American gala in the United States.
Last year, we held our 31st Anniversary Inspiration Awards Gala with over 600 guests in attendance, raising a record-breaking $3.2 million as we honored author and poet, Ocean Vuong, and proprietor of Gracious Hospitality Management, Simon Kim.
Click here to view our gala honorees from previous years.
Join us at our 32nd Inspiration Awards Gala to celebrate our youth and encourage them to DREAM OUT LOUD.
Raymond Chan
Aya Kanai
Melody Lee
Rachel Aschalew
Luke P. Brown
Allister Chan
Eva Chen
Julia Chiang
Christine Chou
Jessie Ding
JiaJia Fei
Esther Lee
Karen Lee
Robert Lee
Maurice Ng
Maxine Ng Dalio
Jennifer Prosek
Scout LeBedis
Katie Barth-Jones
Annabelle Matchet
