Join us for our 14th Annual Gala on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Tribeca 360!

KoreanAmericanStory.org was created 14 years ago to capture, create, preserve, and share stories of the Korean American experience. We believe storytelling can uplift our community and bring us together. By sharing personal stories and family histories, we can connect hearts and minds through our shared humanity.

This year, we are proud to celebrate three Korean American Trailblazer Honorees: James Rhee (Founder & Author, red helicopter), Ruthie Ann Miles (Award-winning Actress), and Simon Kim (CEO and Founder of Gracious Hospitality Management).

The evening will be hosted by our Emcee, Vivian Lee and feature musical performances by NoSo. Kathleen Kim, the voice and puppeteer of Sesame Street’s first Korean American muppet, Ji-Young, will make a special appearance to lead our Live Ask Moment.   

Be sure to stick around after the Gala program! We’ll continue the evening with an extended cocktail social until 11:30pm. Complimentary food and cocktails will be provided.  It’s a great time to continue celebrating our Trailblazer Honorees and Korean American Story's work to capture the Korean American experience through storytelling. Enjoy drinks and dancing while catching up with old friends and making new ones.  

Thank you for the past 14 years and partnering with us on our mission to uplift and amplify the stories of the Korean American community.

By attending The 14th Annual Korean American Story 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 and its sponsors from any liability on account of such use.

If you have any questions or concerns, email us at gala@koreanamericanstory.org. 

2024 Trailblazer Honorees

JAMES RHEE 
Founder & Author, red helicopter
James designs and funds systems that give us permission to be human. His national bestselling book, red helicopter, offers a polyphonic operating system that bridges math with emotions in the business of life and the life of business. James is an acclaimed CEO, TED Speaker, and private equity investor, and a former high school teacher who currently holds appointments at MIT Sloan and Howard University, where he serves as the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship. He is working on music, art, and curricula that convey the wisdom of the classics in a modern, multi-sensory way.

RUTHIE ANN MILES
Award-winning Actress
Ruthie Ann Miles is an award winning actress whose Broadway credits include Sweeney Todd (Tony nom), The King and I (Tony award, Grammy and Olivier noms), and Sunday in the Park with George. She won the Lucille Lortel and Theatre World Awards in the premiere production of Here Lies Love at The Public Theater. TV credits include starring in “All Rise” and “The Americans.” In 2023, Ruthie received a Lilly Award for “Representing In a Big Way.” She was raised by her Korean mom in Honolulu, Hawaii.

SIMON KIM
CEO & Founder of Gracious Hospitality Management 
Simon Kim is the CEO and Founder of Gracious Hospitality Management, the brand behind the Michelin-starred COTE Korean Steakhouse with locations in NYC, Miami, Singapore (forthcoming in Vegas), COQODAQ, Undercote, and an upcoming project at 550 Madison Avenue. He started his career at MGM Grand Las Vegas and opened his first NYC concept, Piora in 2013. He has received multiple accolades, from Crain’s 40 Under 40 to the Inspiration Award from Apex for Youth. In 2021 he founded Taste of Asia, supporting local Asian American communities in NYC. 

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 29 attendees.

Your donation as a Diversity Ambassador or a Diversity Supporter allows us to invite valued community members who are not able to attend our gala without financial assistance. Please support our new initiative for economic equity.

• Each donation at the Diversity Ambassador level covers the cost of ten guests to attend our gala.
  
  
• Each donation at the Diversity Supporter level covers the cost of one guest to attend our gala.
  
  
• Sponsors at the Executive Producer and Producer levels may donate one of their tables to receive an additional acknowledgment as a “Diversity Ambassador”. Email us at gala@koreanamericanstory.org. 

Invitations will be extended to participants of our programs and through trusted community organizations, and your donation is fully tax deductible.

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR GALA