- The Asian Hall of Fame was founded in 2004 but became its own nonprofit organization last year. The organization recognizes “Asian excellence, cultural unity and inter-racial equity” and holds a ceremony for inductees once a year.
- Attendees participated in two raffles to celebrate the inductees: The Ben Bridge Jeweler diamond raffle and Grayse couture raffle.
- Karen Wong, the founder and chairman of the Board of The Robert Chinn Foundation, gave a speech to welcome the attendees.
- Wong also talked about her father Robert Chinn, a prominent Seattle philanthropist, and how she has devoted her life to celebrating his work and the importance of raising awareness for other influential Asians.
- Indra Nooyi, the former chairman and CEO of PepsiCo, was the only inductee to attend the Ben Bridge Jeweler event. She is the first person of Indian descent to be recognized by the Asian Hall of Fame.
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- Kevin Kwan, the writer of “Crazy Rich Asians,” will be the ceremony’s host.
- Singer Maki Mae, musicians Danny Seraphine & CTA and guitarist Robby Krieger of The Doors will perform at the ceremony.
- Actress Nancy Kwan will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work in cinema.
- Brandon Lee, who died in 1993, will be awarded the Actor & Cultural Icon award in memoriam.
- Other inductees include Steve Aoki, Ken Jeong, Hon. Tani G. Cantil-Sakauye, Phil Chen, Ren Hanami, Sumi Jo, Dr. Linda M. Liauw and Indra Nooyi.
- “We believe if people and communities knew about the Asian contributions to the country, to humanity and to their neighborhoods, there would be no violence,” CEO of Asian Hall of Fame Maki Hsieh told the Seattle Times. “But how can you respect someone when you don’t know what they’ve contributed? And that’s why the Asian Hall of Fame exists.”