Asian Heritage Month: Remembering Corky Lee

BMCC’s Asian Heritage Month committee mourns the passing and celebrates the legacy of Corky Lee, the self-proclaimed, “undisputed unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate.” Born and raised in Queens, he was a self-taught photographer who graduated from Queens College where he studied American History.

For the past five decades, Corky seemed to be a presence at every AAPI political, social and cultural event taking place throughout New York City. His documentation and dissemination of his images from these events established him as a renowned, force-of-nature photojournalist and activist. Corky’s presence never failed to lift everyone’s spirits in celebration and their voices in calls for action. Corky’s photos will continue his mission of illustrating and illuminating the faces, places and stories of New York’s Asian American community throughout the world.

Over the years, he gave several talks at CUNY’s Asian American Asian Research Institute (AAARI). Now, AAARI has assembled these archival videos into one loop––a link follows. Hope you enjoy and learn from these talks. Please pass on the passion, knowledge and spirit of Corky Lee’s artistry and advocacy.

Text by Professor Alvin Eng
Department of Speech, Communications and Theatre Arts

Here are archival videos of Corky Lee’s talks at CUNY/AAARI.

Link to other information/articles on Corky Lee.

See a complete list of Asian Heritage Month events.

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