Abstract Mengyu Dong sits down with MOCA to discuss her work documenting the Black Lives Matter protests and presenting them to a Chinese audience through WeChat. As a journalist and photographer, Dong started following the Black Lives Matter movement shortly after moving to Washington D.C. and witnessing the protests that erupted in response to the death of George Floyd. In publishing her photo essay that featured stories from Chinese and Chinese American activists, she wanted to challenge the...

Abstract Ming Tsai talks with MOCA about his lifelong relationship with food and how he came to be one of the most successful East-West fusion chefs. Listen in as Ming explains the role that food and cooking played in his early life growing up around his grandparents in a Chinese-American household and visiting Taiwan. Despite going to Yale for a degree in engineering, he ultimately decided to become a chef, and after working in several famous French kitchens and culinary schools, he pursued a...

Abstract Nancy Chen, brought up in Taiwan and an immigrant to the US since 1996, speaks about the role of cooking and Chinese food in her life. She details the way Chinese food and her own journey in home cooking has played a constant role in her life as an immigrant in America while commenting on the changes Chinese food has undergone in America during her time here. Her narration contains plenty of anecdotes about her experiences with food both during her childhood and adulthood while she expresses...

Abstract Peter Chang is a chef and restauranteur who owns and operates a series of restaurants in the D.C. area, including Peter Chang Café, Peter Chang’s China Café, Q by Peter Chang, and the most recent Mama Chang. In the interview, Mr. Chang speaks about his incredible journey from his childhood in rural Hubei, his time in culinary school, his success as a chef in China, how he came to America, and how he survived then thrived in America, eventually garnering media attention in the US from...

Abstract Xiaowen Liang, a feminist-activist and staff attorney based in New York City, discussed how she collaborated with activists across North America to organize the campaign, “Chinese for Black Lives,” in an effort to elevate the voices within the Chinese community who support the Black Lives Matter movement. She also explained that the campaign seeks to empower and bring together like-minded activists in delivering a unified message for racial justice. She talked about the challenges and...

Scope and Contents

81 handwritten letters and one card from Hsio Ho Chao to his wife Mae Eng Chao, 1951-1952 81 handwritten letters and 1 greeting card.

Abstract Alice Mong is Executive Director of Asia Society Hong Kong Center (ASHK). Prior to joining the Asia Society HK, Ms Mong worked for almost a decade in New York, where as Director of the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) she was responsible for transforming MOCA from a New York Chinatown institution to a leading national museum. Prior to MOCA, Ms. Mong headed up The Committee of 100, a non-profit membership organization founded by world-class architect I.M Pei and renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma....

Abstract Ms. Brenda Grosbard and Mr. Roger Yee are grandchildren of Reverend Yeung Kai Cheung, the second pastor of the first Chinese Presbyterian Church in Chinatown, New York City. In this interview, Ms. Grosbard and Mr. Yee provide a detailed description of their family tumultuous history and their grandfather journeys from Vancouver B.C., to Shanghai, before ending up in Chinatown, New York City, where he became a spiritual and cultural leader of the Chinese community in New York. They talk about...

Abstract Both Chester and Michael are extremely active in the Chinatown community. Michael heads the nonprofit group Apex and is a community leader in Chinatown. Chester has also worked with many nonprofits and believes it is important for people to share their gifts and help others. He views giving as a habit formed slowly over time that can have a large impact on various organizations. Michael attributes his inspiration in nonprofit work to witnessing his parents work in the community and his own...