WING LUKE LEGACIES

Annual Dinner & Auction | Saturday, March 22nd, 2025

THANK YOU FOR CELEBRATING WING LUKE LEGACIES!

Dear Supporters,

We hope you had a wonderful time celebrating Wing Luke Legacies with us. Your presence, enthusiasm, and generosity contributed to over $526,000 (and counting!) raised for Wing Luke Museum—thank you for your extraordinary level of support!

To our talented performers, artists, vendors, attendees, and volunteers: we couldn’t have done it without you. UTOPIA Washington and GDPT LQ, you filled the room with joy and energy.

Special thanks to the Luke family for their support and to Mike Kan for serving as one of our honorary speakers. We also want to thank our video producers, Max Chan, Alex Chen, TJ French, Brandon Fiquett, and our interviewees Beth Takekawa, Aolani Chan, and Wren Wheeler for poignantly sharing Wing Chong Luke’s lasting impact on the Museum, BIPOC communities, and beyond.

Please save the date!

Next year’s Annual Dinner & Auction will be held on Saturday, March 21st, 2026 at the Sheraton Grand Seattle!

Questions?

Thank you to Ronn’s Photobooth for helping us look silly and suave in the photo booth and thank you Truong Nguyen Photography for capturing the excitement of the night!

ABOUT THE ARTIST: TOKA VALU

Toka Valu is a dynamic multidisciplinary artist whose work is deeply rooted in his Tongan heritage, blending cultural storytelling with contemporary design. His work explores the Tongan concept of "vā," the relational space that connects people and places, guiding his process. With a focus on public art and commission illustration work, Toka’s portfolio includes intricate murals, sculptural installations, and digital art, often featuring Tongan & Pacific Islander motifs that honor his ancestry while inviting the engagement of diverse audiences. Toka's commitment to collaboration and community impact makes him a powerful creative partner for organizations looking to make meaningful visual statements but his most cherished role is as a dedicated partner to his wife and father to two joyful children.

A Great Tree, One Day. Toka Valu

This illustration is a loving tribute to the life and enduring contributions of the late Wing Luke. At the center, Wing Luke is planting a peach tree sapling, a symbol of his visionary leadership that laid the foundations for future generations to lead and thrive.

Surrounding Wing Luke are iconic landmarks of Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (C-ID): the Historic Chinatown Gate, Maneki in Japantown, the Wing Luke Museum, and the Little Saigon Station Icon. Each of these icons continues to stand today, indicative of his dedication to urban renewal and historic preservation.

The dragon puppet adds a celebratory spirit, honoring the communities that continue to thrive in the C-ID today. Woven throughout are blue, ethereal clouds (Chinese textile design inspired) adorned with Tongan ngatu (decorated Tongan mulberry barkcloth) patterns, a nod to my heritage and symbolic of ancestors and leaders who’ve come before and will continue to contribute to Wing Luke’s legacy. The piece is set against coarse paper texture, a fitting backdrop for the continued cultivation of collective storytelling and community placemaking. This work celebrates the interconnected narratives of the diverse C-ID communities and the profound impact of Wing Luke, whose vision continues to bear fruit for generations to come.

PROGRAM

EMCEE: MICHELLE LI

Michelle Li is an award-winning, veteran journalist and former KING 5 anchor who co-launched the Very Asian Foundation after her response to a racist voicemail became a global movement of unity. Michelle now serves Seattle schools and local creatives in the Pacific Northwest and beyond, having launched numerous social justice programs such as The May Book Project, the Very Asian Creators Microgrant Program, children in foster care, and often covering topics related to race or gender inequities.

SPEAKER: GOVERNOR BOB FERGUSON

Bob Ferguson is a fourth-generation Washingtonian and son of a public school teacher and Boeing employee. Bob has lived and worked on both sides of the mountains, starting his legal career in Spokane. He’s been standing up to powerful interests that don’t play by the rules and achieving big victories for Washington families.

SPEAKER: RON CHEW

Ron Chew was Executive Director of the Wing Luke Museum from 1991 to 2007 and spearheaded a $23 million capital campaign to transform the historic Kong Yick building into its current home. He is the the author of the memoir "My Unforgotten Seattle," and serves as a trustee of the Seattle Public Library and president of the Washington state chapter of AARP.

AUCTIONEER: SASHA SUMMER COUSINEAU

Sasha Summer Cousineau, owner of Revel Rouser events, is a fundraising auctioneer, gala emcee, wedding officiant, and fundraising and event planning consultant based in Seattle, WA. Sasha believes her clients make up the heart and moral compass of our communities which is why she lives her "OccuPassion" every time she gets to serve local non-profit organizations and education institutions.

READER: ALEKSA MANILA

VIPER FENGZ is a local Vietnamese drag queen coming up in the growing ballroom scene. Known for her polished makeup artistry, enchanting performances, and old-school wit, she has quickly become a key player in Seattle Nightlife, with notable appearances in Guinness World Records, International Film Festival, and various iconic pride events! With a mission to elevate queer POC talent, she’s here to create and celebrate spaces where we all are superstars.

THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT SPONSORS:

LEAD SPONSORS

PRIME SPONSORS

MAJOR SPONSORS

SUPPORTING SPONSORS