Asian Pacific Voices Radio

Dichen Lachman: Shapeshifting Through Sci-Fi, Culture, and Character - 5 X 15

Dichen Lachman is a Tibetan-Nepalese Australian actress known for her captivating presence and dynamic range across film and television. She stars as “Gemma” and “Ms. Casey” in Apple TV+’s acclaimed series Severance, earning praise from Esquire and Rolling Stone for her standout performance. Lachman first gained recognition in Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse and went on to star in Altered Carbon, Animal Kingdom, and Jurassic World: Dominion. Her film and TV credits also include Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Supergirl, The 100, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Born in Kathmandu and raised in Australia, she now lives in London with her family.

Minori Ito: Bridging Generations, Cultures, and Creativity Through Story and Soul - 5 X14

Minori Ito is a Japanese Sri Lankan model, Columbia University graduate, and future Harvard student, celebrated for breaking barriers in the fashion industry while advocating for diversity and inclusion. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Massachusetts, she blends her multicultural heritage into her personal style and professional work. Beyond modeling for global brands, Minori is passionate about education and social impact, aiming to inspire young women to embrace their identities and pursue their dreams.

Charles Yu: Redefining Representation Through Sharp Wit and Unforgettable Stories - 5 X 13

Charles Yu is the author of four books, including the New York Times bestselling novel Interior Chinatown, which won the National Book Award for Fiction, and is now a limited series streaming on Hulu and Disney+ (for which he served as creator and showrunner). He has also written for shows on FX, AMC, and HBO, and is developing feature film projects with Searchlight Pictures and Paramount Pictures. His fiction and non-fiction have appeared in a number of publications including The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, Wired and Harper’s.

Christopher H.K. Lee: Bridging Art, Education, and Humanity Through the Power of Story - 5 X 12

Christopher HK Lee is an award-winning film director and content producer with over 35 years of experience in media, animation, and education. His acclaimed documentaries, including "The Last Tear" and "Forgotten Victory," have earned over 60 awards and been screened at top festivals, including the Oscars and Cannes. A former professor at institutions like Harvard and USC, Christopher is also a published author and founder of the Jackson Doc Fest. He continues to direct impactful films that bridge cultures and inspire change.

Panney Wei: Empowering Minds, Elevating Voices, and Transforming Generations - 5 X 11

Panney Wei is an award-winning motivational speaker, certified clinical hypnotherapist, and the Chief Empowerment Officer of See the Way Consulting. With a rich heritage linked to Qing dynasty General Tso Tsung-tang, Panney inspires individuals, especially women, to unleash their potential and achieve lasting transformation through hypnotherapy, coaching, keynotes, and workshops. An activist at the intersection of arts, entertainment, and politics, Panney has held numerous leadership roles, including National Senior Advisor for the National Association of Asian American Professionals and founder of the Women in NAAAP program, recognized by Forbes Women. She serves on the boards of several organizations, including AREAA Greater LA and the Asian Youth Center. She has received multiple accolades, such as the American Courage Award from Asian Americans Advancing Justice and recognition as a Top 40 Global Emerging Leader. In addition to her advocacy, Panney is an investor and restaurateur, partnering with notable brands like Momofuku Global Restaurant Group and Michelin-starred Niku X. She hosts the podcast “See the Way with Panney Wei,” sharing life lessons and success principles with renowned thought leaders."

Vera Chow: Weaving Culture, Craft, and Character into Every Stitch - 5 X 10

Vera Chow is a Hong Kong-raised, NYC/LA-based Film and TV Costume Designer best known for her work on AMC’s The Walking Dead and Netflix’s The Brothers Sun, starring Michelle Yeoh. With nearly 20 years of global experience, her dynamic portfolio spans period dramas, sci-fi, arthouse, and large-scale epics, including recent critically acclaimed projects Lucky Lu (Cannes) and RoseMead (Tribeca).

She is currently filming The Season in Hong Kong with SK Global (Crazy Rich Asians). A survivor of bullying, Vera found solace in movies and art from a young age, fueling her lifelong passion for storytelling through design. She holds degrees from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Parsons School of Design, and Istituto Europeo di Design in Barcelona. Known for her fearless creativity—mixing thrifted finds with couture—Vera is also a proud advocate for AAPI representation in media.

Anthony Basco: Turning Heat into Hope - 5 X 9

Anthony Basco is the founder of Boss Coast LLC, a bold brand born from resilience, redemption, and a powerful personal journey. After serving nearly a decade in prison, Anthony transformed a simple recipe into a mission-driven business that now reaches shelves across North America. Through his work as a speaker and mentor, he uses his story to inspire second chances and steer young people away from the path he once took.

Jeff Kim: Teaching History, Inspiring Civic Action, and Reimagining Education for the Future - 5 X 8

Dr. Jeffrey Soo Kim is an accomplished educator with over 23 years of experience in schools, having served as an instructional coach, administrator, civic lead, teacher educator, and curriculum author. He created the first high school Korean American Studies course for Anaheim Union High School District and currently teaches future education leaders as an adjunct professor at CSU Fullerton and Vanguard University. A National Board Certified Teacher, Dr. Kim earned his doctorate from USC while working full-time in education. His civic and educational contributions have earned him several honors, including the 2022 Roy Erickson Civic Education Leadership Award, the 2023 Outstanding Ethnic Studies Community Partner Award, and recognition on the City of Irvine Wall of Recognition in 2024. He is a board member of the Irvine Unified School District and founder of the EdFamily YouTube Channel, which empowers students to discover their strengths and use them for good. He and his wife, Dr. Stephanie Kim of Saddleback Church, have five third-generation Korean American children.

Susan Zhang: Driving Classical Music Forward—One Community at a Time - 5 X 7

Susan Zhang is a pianist, educator, and entrepreneur known for her dynamic performances and innovative outreach. A prizewinning soloist, she has performed internationally and co-founded The Concert Truck, a mobile music venue bringing classical concerts to outdoor spaces nationwide. Susan has collaborated with major institutions like the Kennedy Center and Aspen Music Festival, and created a children’s series reaching over 55,000 students. She serves on the YoungArts Classical Music Panel, has taught at Peabody Conservatory, and mentors young artists across the country.

Jen Soriano: Rewriting Narratives, Amplifying Justice - 5 X 6

Jen Soriano is a Filipinx-American writer, performer, and narrative strategist whose work bridges grassroots organizing and art-driven social change. They are the award-winning author of Nervous: Essays on Heritage and Healing and co-editor of Closer to Liberation: A Pina/xy Activist Anthology. A recipient of fellowships from Artist Trust, Hugo House, and others, Jen is also a co-founder of MediaJustice and ReFrame.