CUNY TV's Asian American Life

New York City's Chinatown is cultural hub for the Asian community. It remains a popular tourist destination. However gentrification is slowly changing the landscape, but we found a movement where the next generation are staying grounded in this neighborhood and helping to transform their family's business.

For the last 13 years, Asian American Life have told the stories of our communities' history which is often missing in our U.S. classrooms. To celebrate Asian American Pacific Heritage Month, we take you on a journey and trace important moments in history from the gold rush of 1800's to Trump's anti-immigration policies of 2025.

Asian Americans are reshaping the arts and cultural landscape from Cambodian Angkor Dance Troupe to cross cultural learning in South Korea. Plus the art of Korean self care and wellness; Cooking club trends with friends, and Ann Tremet glazed cakes that are edible works of arts.

March 16th marks four years since eight people were killed at three spa's in the Atlanta Georgia area. Six of those victims were Asian women. The tragedy became a turning point for Asian Americans who demanded that the senseless violence be stopped.

Trump's AAPI appointees, Remembering Executive Order 9066 Japanese Internment; Preventing heart disease in South Asian communities; Preserving lost Tagalog language and Tone Check: The Skins of Contemporary Korean art.

Asian American Life features Magazine Fever, Gen X Asian American exhibit; Senator Andy Kim makes history in the U.S. Senate; Reflecting on the legacy of civil rights leader Fred Korematsu; Chhandayan Indian classical music; And we ring in Lunar New Year with recipes from author Kristina Cho.

Celebrating the holidays with “Jumping For Joy” Origami Tree; 20th Anniversary of Asian American Student Advocacy Project; Lessons learned from Alien Enemy Act; Author Jane Hyun leadership tips on breaking the bamboo ceiling; Mubarak incorporates eastern and western holiday traditions.

It's stomach cancer awareness month and we'll explain why Asian Americans are at risk; Plus Silverlens Gallery exhibits Filipino and South Asian contemporary art; CPC One celebrates a community for all; Start Lighthouse advances literacy through a diverse and multicultural lens; Broadway's hit show Yellow Face takes on racial politics.

October is National Awareness month and we're focusing on mental health and Filipino history month. We'll also look at Who's Who in politics; K Dramas address mental health issues; James Beard award winning author revolutionizes Filipino desserts; Artist Jiro Takamatsu and cultivating change with Choy Common Farms.

NYC is the fashion capitol of the world, and we look at the designers and changemakers who shape how we shop and what we wear, including wedding gown designer Andrew Kwon; Handbag designer Rafe; Invisible Seams documentary on garment workers; Author and Former Ashley Stewart CEO James Rhee and 1587 Asian American sneakers.

Ube is the hippiest food trend and we take a look at the festivals that's serving up this sweet potatoe; Plus we have the scoop on South Asian ice cream; Cantopop makes a comeback at Bar 929; Rice Blossoms modernizes Korean desserts; Plus Gone With The Dogs pet store.

Rubin Museum closes after two decades; Veteran stories and Filipino Independence Day; Gun ownership increases with Asian American; Wearable Tracey hat designs; Photographer Lia Chang frames cultural arts and Brooklyn Raga Massive music.

Asian American Life celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Month with profiles in courage. We pay tribute to the trailblazers who have enriched our communities and culture, including a doctor-musician fighting to protect subway performers

Asian American Voting Power examines key issues impacting our communities and what it means for the economy; Who's who in politics; How the immigration system impacts healthcare; Shifting tide of Asian Americans leaning right; The youth voter movement.

Asian American Life celebrates Women History Month featuring stories of leaders who are changing the world and inspiring future generations; Representative Patsy Mink, first woman of color in Congress gets her own coin this year; Hope Against Hate campaign and Asian American Federation fights for social justice; Yellow Chair Collective addresses mental health; Think Chinatown transform community through art; and Lily Fan makes history at the New York Liquor Authority.

Asian American Life features edible art as Lysee redefines desserts; Ballroom dancing; Award winning author Patricia Park debuts her Y-A novel; Plus a profile of Kevin Kim, New York's Commissioner of Small Businesses; And George Gee Swing Orchestra.

In January's Asian American Life, New York makes Lunar New Year an official holiday; Mixed race population and Mixed Asian Media; Kim'C Korean food market; Memoir "Everything I Learned, I Learned In A Chinese Restaurant"; From Wall Street to million dollar social media star, Vivian Tu shares her BFF rich tips in her NY Times Bestseller "Rich AF."

Celebrating arts and culture with Guggenheim's, "Only The Young" Korean exhibit; Spotlight on opera tenor Martin Bakari; Golden Screen movies that made Asian America; NY's master sommelier; Uplifting NY profile of City Council Member Shahana Hanif.

Special report on ARK fighting hunger in the Philippines; Legendary photographer Corky Lee gets his own street; Manhattan Kips Bay South Asian community; Miracle fruit changes taste buds; Music artist and composer Treya Lam.

Here Lies Love Broadway hit; Entrepreneur June Kwan and Academy award winner Daniel Kwan share their secret to success; Profile of civil rights leader Glenn Magpantay; Chinatown community rebuilds Yu and Me Books; Artist and former Chair of NEA Jane Chu.

Asian American Life special report on U.S. book ban and censorship laws; Author Ava Chin traces her family roots on Mott Street; Korean textile art; Legendary musician Ravi Shanker archive; Plus artisanal Korean rice wine.

Photographer Lia Chang frames stories of Asian American communities; Mother and son piano duet; Sesame Street makes history with its first Asian American puppet; Basement Workshop arts organization; Plus “Healing The Children” medical mission to Ecuador

This special looks at the untold stories of life during and after the Korean War. Host and correspondent Vivian Lee provides a historical overview on the United States involvement in the Korean War and examines what happened after the armistice agreement was signed on July 27, 1953 to stop active fighting. The war never officially ended, and today tensions continue between North and South Korea over nuclear weapons and the demilitarized zone.

Touring the Queens museum store; Sing-A-Long with YouTube sensation Clark on Stage; Plus Aquabest seafood market in New York; Traditional Korean Ssireum wrestling and Twenty Summers Festival celebrates arts and music.

First Filipino American Encyclopedia and their contribution to U.S. history; Brooklyn Book Bodega; Never Fade Away documentary; Popularity of ballroom dancing with Asian Americans; Artist Susan Chen paints portraits worth a thousand words.

Special report on “Healing The Children” medical mission to Guayaquil Ecuador; Why fermented food improves your health; Award-winning author and poet Kimiko Hahn; Plus photographer Lia Chang captures Asian American arts and culture.

Special on Asian American women who were the first in their fields, including CUNY Law School Dean Sudha Setty, Former Judge Doris Ling-Cohan; NY Senator Iwen Chu; Tribute to CUNY's AAARI Betty Sung Lee; History lesson on Afong Moy; Women Crossing DMZ

Profile of New York Assembly member Steven Raga; Day of Remembrance 81st Anniversary of Japanese internment; Second chances and life after prison; Toddlers learning the ABC's of Mandarin Chinese; CUNY's aviation program launches new careers.

In his own voice with opera tenor Martin Bakari; Mother and son pianist share their key to music success; Sesame Street makes history with its first Asian American puppet Ji-Young; KPOP on Broadway; And we visit the Godwin-Ternbach Museum in Queens.

AAL focuses on positive mental health and wellness with Tibetan YindaYin Healing; Hamilton-Madison House helps seniors; Traditional Korean postnatal care; Financial planning for the future; Hollywood legend Anna May Wong appears on U.S. coin.

AAL focuses on positive mental health and wellness with Tibetan YindaYin Healing; Hamilton-Madison House helps seniors; Traditional Korean postnatal care; Financial planning for the future.

Asian American Pacific Islander history taught in public schools this year; Who's Who with New York's political candidates; Filipino American history month; Basement workshop arts organization, and Mount Lai skincare rooted in Eastern medicine.

Author Alvin Eng's memoir Our Laundry, Our Town; Women embracing their roots and going gray; Asian Americans speak out against social injustice with “Free Chol Soo Lee”; Family of taekwondo champions; Plus we visit NY's Burmese community.

Protecting Chinatown against anti-Asian hate crimes; Fighting back with AAP(I Belong); 20th Anniversary of September 11th and the heroic officer who saved lives; MSNBC/NBC News anchor Richard Lui on caregiving; NFL New England Patriots Eugene Chung.

Exploring little Manila in Queens, New York; 40th Anniversary of Vincent Chin's murder; Cooking budget meals for just $20 dollars a week; Actor George Takei celebrates Japan Day Parade; Asian American hip hop artists speak out against anti-Asian hate.

Asian American philanthropist creates CUNY's Queens College first school of art; Artist Haksul Lee; Asian American Writers' Workshop 30th Anniversary; Special report on public safety for Asian American women; Author Ly Tran's "House Of Sticks."

AAL features Authors Daphne Palasi Andreades of Brown Girls and Grace Cho, National Book Finalist for Taste Like War; Contemporary artist Carlos Villa; Plus a Korean Disney-like princess goes viral; And in-depth report on teen mental health

Meet NY's most diverse city council; Liz Kari speaks out against anti Asian hate crimes with AAP(I Belong); Historical lessons, The Public Theaters true story of “The Chinese Lady.” Plus we visit Yu & Me, New York's first Asian American bookstore.

Celebrating the Year Of The Tiger; Long Island City's rising Asian American population; Feeding hope, fighting hunger and food insecurity; Korean pop culture global hits; From political asylum to the ivory tower, meet CUNY's new Rhode Scholar.

All in the family, 5 generations of entrepreneurs; MSNBC/NBC News anchor Richard Lui on caregiving for his father; Update on the Children's Orchestra Society recovery efforts from Hurricane Ida; Light Up Chinatown Project, Asian American Rockette dancer.

AAL special report on the Children's Orchestra Society recovery efforts after Hurricane Ida; Finding peace with Black Asian solidarity; Sole mates create fashionable footwear; Material Kitchen to table cookware; And sustainable edible insects.

Asian American Studies amid rising hate crimes; Origami art in honor of covid patients; Rapper T-Vu; Jamaican Chinese farmers plant their roots in New York; And kicking off the football season with an exclusive interview with former NFL football player.