33rd
INSPIRATION
AWARDS GALA

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025
6:30-9:30 PM
CIPRIANI SOUTH STREET

Thank you to all who celebrated our
33rd Inspiration Awards Gala with us on April 10, 2025!

Our 33rd Inspiration Awards Gala at Cipriani South Street was a momentous celebration, raising an incredible $3.1 million to support Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds. The evening celebrated our GENERATION FEARLESS theme with an electrifying performance by SungBeats, moving speeches from youth speaker Ashley Ye and Executive Director Jiyoon Chung, and special recognitions of our 2025 honorees Suni Lee, presented by Chloe Kim, and Joan Shigekawa, presented by Mariko Silver. Their trailblazing achievements embody the fearless spirit we cultivate in our youth.
The funds raised, including a record-breaking $1.4 million during the paddle raise led by BD Wong, will directly support our growing mentoring and community programs—continuing our 33-year mission of breaking barriers and building a world without limits. Through these programs, we’re creating intergenerational change and empowering Asian American youth to unlock their full potential today and embrace a world of possibility tomorrow.
Together, we are truly GENERATION FEARLESS.

This year, we’re celebrating and activating generational change by harnessing the power of our connected past, present, and future through mentorship programming that unlocks progress in bold, brave ways.

When mentorship ignites courage, generational change becomes unstoppable. From our legacy of impact to the dreams we nurture today, we're building a fearless future together.

GALA HONOREES

SUNI LEE

First Hmong American Olympic Gymnast

Suni Lee embodies the fearless spirit of a generation breaking barriers and reaching new heights. As the first Hmong American Olympic gymnast, she has transformed what’s possible for Asian American youth, earning six Olympic medals across the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Games, including historic golds in both individual all-around and team competitions.
Rooted in family support—training on a homemade balance beam her father built—and representing the strength of her community, Suni has become more than an athlete. She’s a powerful voice for mental health advocacy and youth empowerment, showing that with determination and the right support, anything is possible. From Sports Illustrated’s Female Athlete of the Year to the Asia Game Changer Award, Suni continues to inspire the next generation through her philanthropy and advocacy. Her journey reminds us that when young people are given the opportunity to dream fearlessly, they can achieve the extraordinary.

JOAN SHIGEKAWA

National Medal of Arts Recipient

Joan Shigekawa’s journey embodies the transformative power of resilience across generations. From her childhood incarceration at the Tule Lake Japanese American Confinement Site to becoming one of America’s most influential arts leaders, she has dedicated her life to expanding cultural possibilities for all.

As Acting Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts under President Obama and recipient of the 2021 National Medal of Arts, Joan has fearlessly championed initiatives that reshape how our nation supports and celebrates the arts. Her groundbreaking work at the Rockefeller Foundation and the Nathan Cummings Foundation has created pathways for countless artists and creators.
A founding member of the Center for Asian American Media and emerita advisor to the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, Joan continues to represent the power of cultural connection. Her legacy reminds us that when we root ourselves in resilience and reach boldly forward, we can transform barriers into bridges for future generations.

FEATURED PRESENTERS

CHLOE KIM

Snowboarder

The 2022 Winter Olympics cemented Chloe Kim as the female face of both snowboarding and action sports when she became the first female in history to win back-to-back Olympic Gold Medals in halfpipe snowboarding.

After being accepted to Princeton University, Chloe took the 2019-20 season off from competing to focus on her education. Returning in January 2021 after a 20-month hiatus from snowboarding competition, Chloe continued her dominance of the sport, winning all four women’s superpipe events including her second World Championship. In 2025, Chloe won her eighth X Games gold medal, the most of any woman, and tying Shaun White with the most X Games Superpipe Gold medals.

MARIKO SILVER

President and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

Dr. Mariko Silver is the President and CEO of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Appointed in 2024, Silver is building upon a number of bold initiatives that invest in the vibrancy and wellbeing of New York City, foster artistic collaboration, and spark innovation for audiences and artists alike—from reimagining the west side of Lincoln Center’s iconic campus to welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors from around the world to free and Choose-What-You-Pay programming. In March of this year, she secured $50 million to create the Pasculano Collaborative for Contemporary Dance—the largest single programming gift in LCPA’s history.

BD WONG

Tony Award-Winning Actor and Advocate

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.

FEATURED PERFORMER

SUNGBEATS

Beatboxer

SungBeats is an award-winning beatbox looping champion and viral content creator from NYC who produces fully realized music using only his voice and a loop station. As the 2018 American Loopstation Beatbox Champion and Amateur Night at the Apollo winner, his “Making Beats for Strangers” series has generated over 800 million views globally.

Throughout his 12-year career, Sung has collaborated with artists like Lil Jon, Kid Ink, and Awkwafina, while partnering with brands including Google and Forbes. His commercial work has been featured in Times Square. Whether performing live or creating online content, SungBeats continues to innovate and inspire audiences worldwide with his unique vocal artistry.

ABOUT THE GALA

THROUGH THE YEARS, APEX FOR YOUTH’S INSPIRATION AWARDS GALA HAS BECOME THE PREMIER ASIAN AMERICAN GALA IN THE UNITED STATES.

Last year, with 600 guests in attendance, we collectively raised over $3.1 million — a testament to the power of Apex’s mission. As we head into our 33rd Annual Inspiration Awards Gala, Apex remains committed to ensuring our youth can access the resources, mentorship, and opportunities they need to help them break down the barriers they face.

Join us in building

GENERATION FEARLESS!

Every donation to Apex for Youth helps us unlock a world of possibility for underserved Asian and immigrant youth in NYC and across the nation.

For any questions about this event, please contact development@apexforyouth.org.

OUR IMPACT

Did you know Asian American youth…?

1 IN 2

In NYC, 1 in 2 Asian American youth live in or near poverty

LEAST LIKELY

to seek mental health care. Asian Americans show lowest utilization rates across all racial/ethnic groups

MORE THAN 3 IN 4

of Asian American youth feel less safe than before the pandemic

About Apex for Youth

2,500+

youth served from all 5 boroughs and 11 states around the country

35,300+

hours of youth participation

900+

volunteers supporting youth

Apex for Youth empowers Asian American youth from low-income and immigrant backgrounds to unlock their potential today and a world of possibility tomorrow.

Our holistic approach is expertly tailored to our youth’s age, racial identity and socioeconomic status. Our programs combine impactful mentorship with access to critical resources for our youth and their families that would not have otherwise been available.

Apex creates systems of support for youth from elementary school to young adulthood. Based on shared identities and experiences, we foster transformative relationships with a community of caring adults — from mentors and therapists to athletic coaches and career guides.

Through Apex programs, low-income Asian American youth have the resources and support to break through socioeconomic and racial barriers, creating their own future with a sense of agency, belonging and confidence.

FEATURED PRESENTERS

CONNIE CHUNG

Journalist, Author

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