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33rd
INSPIRATION
AWARDS GALA

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

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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.

ABOUT THE GALA

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.

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OUR IMPACT

Did you know...?

3 IN 4

Apex youth live in or near poverty. 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

Apex for Youth’s Reach

Apex for Youth creates transformative social connections and celebrates cultural identity to build the confidence and self-efficacy of future generations.

2,500+

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

35,300+

hours of youth participation

900+

volunteers supporting youth

READ OUR FY24 ANNUAL REPORT

GALA HONOREE

suni lee apex gala

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.

FEATURED PRESENTERS

CONNIE CHUNG

Journalist, Author

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CONNIE CHUNG

Journalist, Author

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PAST HONOREES

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CONSTANCE WU

Actress

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OCEAN VUONG

Author, Poet

SIMON KIM

Proprietor of Gracious Hospitality Management

EILEEN GU

Freestyle Skier, 2-time Olympic gold medalist

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AMANDA NGUYEN

Founder/CEO, RISE

AWKWAFINA

Actress

DANIEL DAE KIM

Actor, Director, Producer

JON M. CHU

Filmaker

gemma chan apex gala

GEMMA CHAN

Actress and Producer

KENNETH LIN APEX GALA

KENNETH LIN

Chief Executive Officer and Founder

OLIVIA MUNN APEX GALA

OLIVIA MUNN

Actress

CAROL LIM HUMBERTO LEON APEX GALA

HUMBERTO LEON & CAROL LIM

American Fashion Designers

JHENÉ AIKO

Singer and Songwriter

JOHN C. JAY

Designer, President / Executive Creative Director

ALEX CHUNG

GIPHY, Co-founder & CEO

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BING CHEN

Creator & Entrepreneur

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CHLOE KIM

Snowboarder, 2-time Olympic gold medalist

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CONNIE CHUNG

Journalist

Dhivya Suryadevara APEX GALA

DHIVYA SURYADEVARA

General Motors, Chief Financial officer

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HAYDEN SZETO

Actor

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JAMES CHANG

C. P. Advanced Imaging, PLLC – Founder

JASON WANG APEX GALA

JASON WANG

Xi’an Famous Foods, President/CEO

JULIE YOO APEX GALA

JULIE YOO

Fanatics, SVP Global Head of M&A

KATHY HIRATA APEX GALA

KATHY HIRATA CHIN

Partner, Crowell & Moring LLP

krista marie yu apex gala

KRISTA MARIE YU

Actress

MARCUS LOO APEX GALA

MARCUS LOO

Clinical Professor of Urology, Weill Cornell Medical College

MITCHELL E. HARRIS

BNY Mellon, CEO, Investment Management

NATASHA JEN

Pentagram, Partner, Graphic Designer

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NATHANIEL RU

Sweetgreen, Co-Founder

patricia rockenwagner apex gala

PATRCIA SHIN RÖCKENWAGNER

STX Entertainment, Chief Communications Officer 2017

shan lyn ma apex gala

SHAN-LYN MA

Zola, CEO & Co-Founder

victoria hsu apex gala

VICTORIA HSU

J.T. Tai & Co. Foundation, Trustee

YIE HSIN HUNG APEX GALA

YIE-HSIN HUNG

President and CEO, State Street Global Advisors

APL.DE.AP

The Black Eyed Peas, Rapper, singer and record producer

HUDSON YANG

Actor, Fresh Off the Boat

norman liu apex gala

NORMAN C.T.LIU

President & CEO, Nordic Aviation Capital

HOST COMMITTEE

ALLISON CHOU
ALLISTER CHAN
BIG DRAGONS JUNIOR HOST COMMITTEE
BD WONG
DAVID HENRY HWANG
JEAN BROWNHILL
JENNIFER PROSEK
JENNIFER SAESUE
JIAJIA FEI
JULIA CHIANG
MICHAEL LI
MICHELLE LEE
ROBERT LEE
ROY KIM
RUSS CHONG
SOPHIE YU
STEPHEN CHANG
TI-HUA CHANG
VIVIAN TU
WEN ZHOU

FEATURED SPONSORS

BECOME A SPONSOR.
BE A CHAMPION FOR ASIAN AMERICAN YOUTH.

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CHAMPION

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LEADER

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BENEFACTOR

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SPONSOR

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FRIEND

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2024 Apex for Youth Gala

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

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GENERATION FEARLESS design concept by Pentagram.

ABOUT US

Mission

Staff
Board of Directors
Associate Board

Careers

Partner of QuestionPro

PROGRAMS

Athletics
College and Career Success
Elementary Enrichment
Mental Health
In-Person Mentoring
Virtual Mentoring

CONTACT

195 Chrystie Street, #200
New York, NY 10002

(212) 385-3574
info@apexforyouth.org

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