Apex for Youth Receives $10,000 from Knicks: The Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award

Honored for Community Impact at the Knicks Lunar New Year Game

On a night filled with cultural celebration and community recognition, Apex for Youth’s Executive Director Jiyoon Chung was honored as a recipient of the Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award at Madison Square Garden during the New York Knicks’ Lunar New Year game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The Sweetwater Award, recognizing Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, the first African American Knicks player, perfectly aligns with our values of fostering opportunity for our youth and helping them break barriers.

Jiyoon was recognized for her unwavering commitment to empowering Asian American youth through mentorship and access to critical resources. This recognition underscores the importance of Apex for Youth’s mission—creating spaces where young Asian American people can feel seen, supported, and inspired to achieve their full potential.

A Night of Cultural Celebration and Community Impact

The Knicks’ Lunar New Year celebration infused the evening with cultural significance, kicking off with a powerful rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner by three Asian musicians—a violinist, a cellist, and an erhu player, a traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed instrument. 

Serena Wong accepted the award on Jiyoon’s behalf and shortly after, a check was presented to Apex for Youth, shining a spotlight on the transformative work we do in uplifting the next generation. 

Halftime saw an energetic and vibrant Chinese lion dance performance by the New York Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club, adding to the festive atmosphere for Lunar New Year. Throughout the night, Welcome to Chinatown engaged fans at an activity table, while lion dancers roamed the arena, creating joyful moments with young attendees through interactive performances and photo opportunities.

“It created a sense of belonging and this forum is a great way to expose people to different cultures who may not get to experience it on a daily basis or have not stepped foot into Chinatown. I was grateful to be a part of this evening, and share our mission and crucial work to a wider audience.”

 – Serena Wong, Associate Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations

This event was not only a celebration of Lunar New Year but also a powerful reminder of the importance of cultural representation and the role sports can play in fostering community and inclusion — a cornerstone of Apex’s athletics programming. 

Gratitude and Community Recognition

We are incredibly grateful to the New York Knicks for this recognition and for providing a platform to share our mission with a wider audience. The Sweetwater Clifton City Spirit Award is a testament to the dedication of our entire community—our supporters, donors, volunteers, mentors, community partners, and the young people we serve. Our work is made possible because of you, and this honor belongs to each and every person who contributes to our shared vision of empowerment and opportunity.

This award serves as both recognition of our past efforts and inspiration to continue building spaces where Asian American youth can thrive, dream, and lead — no matter their background.

Thank you to the Knicks, HUB International, and everyone who has supported us on this journey. This moment is one of joy, gratitude, and celebration—one that we share with our entire community. ❤️