Legacy, Leadership, and a Little Magic: Inside AACC's Biggest Lunar New Year Gala

What was already set to be a landmark evening became something far greater! 

The Asian American Coalition of Chicago's (AACC) 43rd Annual Lunar New Year Celebration, themed "Asian + American," did not just sell out its original capacity of 1,000 guests. It shattered expectations entirely! Capacity was expanded to welcome more than 1,100 amazing attendees to the Great Lakes Ballroom at the Marriott Marquis Chicago at McCormick Place on Saturday, February 28th, 2026.

The overwhelming demand was a fitting testament to the event's growing stature as Illinois' largest and most celebrated pan-Asian American gala. This year's evening delivered on every single level, from heartfelt tributes to political star power to a headline-making magical performance that left the entire room breathless.

Kicking Things Off: A Gorgeous VIP Welcome

Prior to the main program, guests were treated to an elegant VIP reception featuring the incredibly talented flutist Jennifer Zhang. Her performances beautifully wove together classical technique with traditional Asian musical influences, setting a tone of sophistication and cultural richness from the very first note.

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Emcees Nancy Loo, the beloved former Chicago-based broadcaster, and NBC correspondent Brian Cheung guided the program with warmth and grace throughout the evening. Chicago's Chinese Community served as this year's host committee and brought stunning cultural performances to the stage. This included the thunderous and beloved Lion Dance, where drummers and dancers filled the ballroom with the vibrant, joyful energy of the Year of the Horse!

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Celebrating Roots and Families

The spectacular gala was co-chaired by three distinguished leaders: Grace Chan McKibben, Anne Shaw, and Dr. Karen Eng. Each of them brought a deep personal investment to the evening's beautiful theme of identity, belonging, and intergenerational pride.

It was Co-Chair Dr. Karen Eng, however, whose moment on stage became one of the night's most emotionally resonant highlights. In a moving address centered on the theme of legacy, Dr. Eng, a third-generation Chinese American with deep roots in Chicago's historic Chinatown, stepped to the podium flanked by two of the most important people in her life: her mother and her daughter. Together, they represented four generations of a family woven right into the fabric of one of Chicago's most vibrant communities.

Dr. Eng spoke passionately about the importance of supporting Chinatown and the broader Asian American community. She urged guests to invest not just in the celebrations that bring people together, but in the neighborhoods, businesses, and institutions that sustain them year-round. The image of three generations standing together on stage, representing the past, present, and future, drew a standing ovation and set the emotional tone for the entire evening.

"I'm proud that this gala brings our community together in celebration and shared purpose," Dr. Eng shared. "It's an opportunity to showcase the diversity that defines us as Americans while strengthening the connections that make our community vibrant and welcoming."

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AAPI Leaders Taking the Spotlight

The ballroom drew an extraordinary gathering of elected officials and civic leaders, really highlighting the political significance of Chicago's Asian American community heading into a pivotal era for the nation.

Among the notable VIPs in attendance were U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, and Chinatown Alderwoman Nicole Lee. Lake County Treasurer Holly Kim, currently running for Illinois State Comptroller, was also there to represent the next wave of AAPI candidates seeking statewide office. Numerous other AAPI elected officials rounded out an impressive show of political solidarity and community investment.

Their presence sent a powerful message that Chicago's Asian American communities are not just celebrating. They are leading!

A Huge Shoutout to the Amazing Sponsors!

The 43rd Annual Lunar New Year Celebration was made possible through the generous support of an outstanding group of corporate, civic, and community sponsors. Their commitment to Chicago's Asian American communities truly made the evening possible.

The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) served as a major sponsor of this year's gala, using the evening to amplify its landmark national "Asian+American" campaign. This is a powerful initiative designed to celebrate the beautiful complexity of Asian American identity. The campaign features a short film narrated by Sandra Oh and directed by Academy Award nominee Sean Wang (Dìdi), and it boldly challenges the long-standing pressure on Asian Americans to choose between their cultural heritage and their American identity. 

The "Asian + American" theme of this year's AACC gala aligned seamlessly with TAAF's mission, making the partnership a deeply meaningful one in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of America and Asian Americans' indelible contributions to the nation.

AACC also extends its heartfelt gratitude to all the amazing sponsors who made the evening possible: Mcdonalds Corporation,  Asian McDonald's Operators Association, Chinatown Parking Corporation, Byline Bank, Shaw Legal Services, VAB Law Firm, Chubb, Lakeside Bank, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois, Kikkoman, Morinaga, Mama, Bites Asian Kitchen & Bar, Central Management Services Illinois, McCormick, Golden Country Oriental Food, and Metropolis. Their collective investment reflects a shared belief in the power of community, culture, and the next generation of Asian American leadership.

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Cheering for Community Superstars

The evening featured the presentation of AACC's most prestigious honors. Let's hear it for these amazing awardees!

• The Pan Asian American Ping Tom Memorial Award: Presented to Dr. Manjeet Singh Chawla, a distinguished physician and philanthropist recognized for decades of compassionate healthcare service to underserved communities in Chicago and Southeast Asia.
• The Grand Asian American Sandra Otaka Memorial Award: Awarded to the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) for its transformative leadership since 1996 in advancing immigrant rights, shaping public policy, and providing critical protections for immigrant and refugee families across Illinois.
• Ten Exemplary Community Service Awardees: Honored for their lifelong dedication and profound impact, with one representing each of the ten Asian communities served by AACC (Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Malaysian, Pakistani, Thai, and Vietnamese). Congratulations to Jane Lau, Jaime P. Dejuras, Apinder (Vic) Singh, Dr. Budi Kusnoto, Reverend Patti Nakai, Dr. Sung W. Kim, Wanis S. Shurts, Dr. Teepu Siddique, James Limson, and Thomas Ngo, P.E.!
• Ten Youth Who Excel Awardees: Spotlighting the next generation of Asian American changemakers. A huge round of applause for Eric Chen, Lauren Mendiola, Ava Kaur Silverstein, Ellen Natalie Chua, Sofia Ozaki, Crystal Yuri Park, Summer Christensen, Rahim Sattar, Prisara Chumsangsri, and BaoMinh Ben Tran!

Mind-Blowing Magic with Shin Lim!

If the evening belonged to anyone, it belonged to Shin Lim!

The internationally acclaimed magician, known to millions from his back-to-back championship wins on America's Got Talent, delivered what guests described as a jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring 45-minute performance. He truly elevated the entire gala to an entirely new level!

Working with seemingly ordinary playing cards, Shin Lim wove an extraordinary tapestry of sleight of hand, close-up illusions, and impossible precision. He had the audience repeatedly erupting into gasps, laughter, and thunderous applause. There were moments of utter silence as more than 1,100 guests collectively held their breath, followed by eruptions of cheering that literally shook the ballroom rafters.

For many in attendance, it was unlike anything they had ever experienced at an event of this kind. Shin Lim didn't simply close out the evening. He redefined what a gala performance could be, giving over a thousand guests a shared, unforgettable memory they will be talking about for years to come.

Looking Ahead: The Community Shines On

The 43rd Annual Lunar New Year Celebration was so much more than a gala. It was a declaration! A declaration that Chicago's Asian American communities are thriving, united, and unapologetically present on every stage that matters: cultural, civic, political, and artistic.

As the Year of the Horse gallops forward, the Asian American Coalition of Chicago, the oldest and largest pan-Asian American organization in Illinois, has once again reminded the city and the state of the extraordinary depth, diversity, and dynamism of the communities it proudly represents.

"Asian+American" hoodies, caps and T-shirts from the Gala are available for purchase — proceeds benefit AACC and Chinatown community organizations. Click here to shop.

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For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to get involved, visit aacchicago.org. To explore TAAF's "Asian+American" campaign, visit taaf.org.

Photo credits: Howard Yu

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