The 16th Annual Gala
Join us on Friday, October 16, 2026 at Tribeca 360 as we celebrate three incredible Trailblazer Honorees — Ali Ahn, Hollee McGinnis, and Jaeki Cho.
Register here to reserve your spot!
Ticket sales end on Friday, October 9 at 11:59 PM.
Trailblazer Honorees
Ali Ahn
Actor
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
Hollee McGinnis, Ph.D., MSW, AKA Lee Hwa Young (she/her), was adopted from South Korea and has 30 years of community organizing, practice, policy, and research experience relating to adoption and child welfare. Hollee’s 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 New York City.
Jaeki Cho
Content Creator / Founder of Righteous Eats
Jaeki Cho (he/him) is a Korean American content creator and founder of Righteous Eats. Beginning his career as a magazine editor and writer, he went on to create independent films and build an audience through Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. His work has reached billions of views by highlighting stories that are often overlooked–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.
Special Guests
Vivian Lee
Emcee
Vivian Lee (she/her) is Korean American Story’s Director of Development. Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, she was co-chair of the KAS board, and a board member since 2017. A former Emmy-winning TV anchor and reporter for NY1 and WNBC, Vivian is currently a producer and correspondent for CUNY-TV’s Asian American Life. She lives in New York with her husband and two daughters.
Kathleen Kim
Live Ask Host
Kathleen Kim (she/her) is an NYC based puppeteer and VO artist. Kim's most notable work is on Sesame Street as Ji-Young, the first Asian American Muppet character who was introduced on the show's AAPI special "See Us Coming Together," which Kim received an Emmy nomination for as consulting producer. Other puppetry credits include SNL, Helpsters on Apple TV+, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and Awkwafina is Nora From Queens as ToeKnee.
When
FRIDAY
OCT. 16, 2026
6:30PM
Where
TRIBECA 360
10 DESBROSSES ST
11TH FLOOR
NEW YORK, NY 10013
SPONSORSHIPS
Click here for sponsorship information.
Tickets
Premier Ticket
$1,500
One choice seat at the Gala.
Recognition in the Gala program booklet if Premier Ticket is purchased by September 18, 2026.
Complimentary Extended Cocktail Social at Tribeca 360 until 11:30pm.
The non-deductible value is $200 per ticket.
Gala Ticket
$750
One seat at the Gala.
Complimentary Extended Cocktail Social at Tribeca 360 until 11:30pm.
The non-deductible value is $200 per ticket.
Our Economic Diversity Initiative
2023 marked the inaugural year of our Economic Diversity Initiative. Last year, thanks to your generous support, we were able to provide complimentary tickets to 47 attendees.
Your donation as a Diversity Ambassador or a Diversity Supporter allows us to invite valued members of our community who are not able to attend our gala without financial assistance.
Sponsors at the Showrunner and Executive Producer levels may donate one of their tables to receive an additional acknowledgment as a Diversity Ambassador by emailing HJ@koreanamericanstory.org.
Please support our initiative for economic equity. We accept donations for our Economic Diversity Initiative until September 25, 2026.
Diversity Ambassador
$7,500
Your donation covers the cost of ten guests to attend our gala.
Recognition in printed materials, social media and website. In order to be included in the Gala’s program booklet, you must become a Diversity Ambassador by September 18, 2026. We accept Diversity Ambassador Sponsorships until September 25, 2026
Invitations will be extended to participants of our programs and through trusted community organizations.
Your donation will be fully tax-deductible.
Diversity Supporter
$750
Your donation covers the cost of one guest to attend our gala.
Recognition in printed materials, social media and website. In order to be included in the Gala’s program booklet, you must become a Diversity Supporter by September 18, 2026. We accept Diversity Supporter Ticket donations until September 25, 2026.
Invitations will be extended to participants of our programs and through trusted community organizations.
Your donation will be fully tax-deductible.
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by the law. The non deductible value of a ticket is $200.If you cannot attend but wish to make a fully tax-deductible contribution, click here and enter the dollar amount.If you have any questions, email us at gala@koreanamericanstory.org
By attending our gala, you consent to the use of your voice and likeness without compensation in film, videotape, photography, and/or sound recording of this event, and you agree to release Korean American Story, its sponsors, and performers from any liability on account of such use.