MotivAsians Cleveland Gala: A Taste of Asia 2025

On Saturday evening, we attended the MotivAsians Cleveland Gala: A Taste of Asia at John Carroll University in University Heights. This annual event celebrates Asian culture and community in Greater Cleveland.

Margaret W. Wong & Associates LLC served as a Gold Sponsor for this lively celebration. The gala promised “diverse Asian culinary delights, a cultural showcase, and fun for all ages.” It delivered on every point. Guests enjoyed a family-style dinner with delicious Asian dishes, creating a warm sense of fellowship.

MotivAsians Cleveland Gala Highlights

MotivAsians for Cleveland is a nonprofit that works to build a strong Asian community in Greater Cleveland. It focuses on supporting Asian American professionals and welcomes people of all backgrounds who want to learn more about Asian cultures.

One highlight of the evening came from Melody Chu. She grew up in Cleveland as the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants and later traveled widely for school and work. She has since returned to the region. During her talk, she described the cultural stereotypes she faced and how she overcame them. Afterward, she read from her debut novel, The Mathey Girls. The audience responded warmly to her message and her reading.

Another guest, Jordan Wong, also drew strong interest. He is a local artist known for his bold, creative work in Cleveland’s AsiaTown. He explained his recent Transformative Arts Fund Project and shared how it aims to energize public spaces in the neighborhood.

Cultural Performances at the Gala

The program featured several dynamic performances. The Shojoji Dancers, Viva Dance Studio’s Malevo Dance Team, Pacific Paradise Entertainment, and the Cleveland Phoenix Club all took the stage. Later, a group of friends performed an entertaining Bollywood routine that delighted the crowd.

Finally, the emcee, Mr. Gabriel Kramer, joined his friend Chris Dudley for a heartfelt musical moment. Both men are of Filipino heritage and work at Ideastream. With their guitars, they performed two songs that honored their culture and connected deeply with the audience.

For more information on the MotivAsians Cleveland Gala, click HERE.