CELEBRATING 15 YEARS OF STORIES, COMMUNITY, AND CONNECTION
On Friday, October 16, 2026, we gathered to celebrate the 16th Annual Korean American Story Gala — an unforgettable evening celebrating the voices and achievements that built our community and carries it forward.
After 16 years, Korean American Story looks back on the legacy and what we leave. We’re deeply grateful for our staff, sponsors, donors, honorees, volunteers, and attendees for your continued support in preserving, sharing, and amplifying our stories. Your generosity sustains our mission to ensure these stories live on for generations to come.
Our heartfelt thanks to our 2026 Trailblazer Honorees — Ali Ahn, Hollee McGinnis, and Jaeki Cho — for sharing their stories and inspiring us all.
We extend special thanks to our Emcee Vivian Lee, Live-Ask Host Kathy Kim, and musical performer Hana Vu, for bringing their talent, warmth, and energy to the stage.
Thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to many more years!
Watch the evening’s highlights as well as view portraits and event photos.
Portrait Photography by Janice Chung
Photo Assistant Gowon Lee
VIEW ALL PHOTOS: Portraits // Event Photos (or scroll to the bottom)
Playlist
Ali Ahn
Actor
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Ali Ahn (she/her) is an actor, recovering classical pianist, and native Los Angeleno. Please forgive her. She is currently starring opposite Keri Russell in The Diplomat and most recently appeared in the film Take Me Home. Past television work on a long and diverse resume includes the Marvel series Agatha All Along, Raising Dion, The Path, and the cult comedy series The Other Two. Select New York theater credits include The Heidi Chronicles on Broadway, The Great Leap (Atlantic Theatre) with BD Wong, and the world premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s Letters of Suresh (Second Stage).
Hollee McGinnis
Founder of Also-Known-As & Organizer
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Hollee A. McGinnis, Ph.D., MSW (she/her), also-known-as Lee Hwa Young, was adopted from South Korea and has almost 30 years of community organizing, practice, policy, and research experience relating to adoption and child welfare. Her work centers the lived experiences of individuals raised in alternative care (adoptive, foster and/or orphanages) so they can thrive across the lifespan and inform socially just child welfare policies and practices. Dr. McGinnis’ research focuses on adoptive and racial/ethnic identity, adverse childhood experiences/ complex trauma, cultural loss, the life course of adoption, and adoptee-led mutual aid groups. In 1996 she founded Also-Known-As, Inc., a non-profit adult intercountry adoptee organization in NYC.
Jaeki Cho
Content Creator & Founder of Righteous Eats
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Jaeki Cho (he/him) is a Korean American content creator and founder of Righteous Eats. After working as a magazine editor and writer, he built his career through filmmaking and digital storytelling. His work has reached billions of views by documenting overlooked stories–from neighborhood restaurants in Queens to communities around the world. Through every project, Jaeki hopes to inspire curiosity, foster empathy, and encourage people to see the world through someone else’s perspective.
Photos
Gala Portraits
Event Photos
