The business community unites for AANHPI visibility across industries at 2024 Gold Gala
While Gold House is known for their work in the media and entertainment space, the 2024 Gold Gala hosted a large list of guests from across media, entertainment, sport, food and business. The diverse guest list was reflective of the new programs launched and partnerships developed since last year’s gathering.
One of the newly launched programs is the “Gold Publishers Program” to elevate and amplify the next generation in media; Cold Tea Collective is an inaugural cohort participating publisher. Other programs include creative and business accelerators.
As the spending power and socioeconomic influence of AANHPI audiences and consumers is being researched further by Nielsen, Pew Research Center, McKinsey and more, it is becoming more clear across sectors that spending on and creating with AANHPI communities in mind is more than a cultural imperative; it is a business imperative. Much of the change is being pushed by AANHPI leaders within these organizations. We spoke with some of the business community involved in the 2024 Gold Gala.
See also: Interviews from the Gold Carpet at the 2024 Gold Gala
Honoring AANHPI heritage through food
Several of our gold carpet interviewees enthusiastically shared love for their favorite cultural dishes. “I’m biased, but I think we have the best food in the world” – Korean food is what Kim Chi, owner of KimChi Chic Beauty said proudly. Actor and digital creator Ryan Alexander Holmes paid homage to his Chinese grandmother’s ginger crab.
Dinner at the gala was presented in partnership with OpenTable, who also facilitated the Gold Chef Prize, to elevate the next generation of AANHPI Chefs.
We spoke with the Asian American woman-led team at OpenTable at the 2024 Gold Gala and what their partnership means to them.
“For me, it’s truly being in a place where I can take a breath and belong. It feels incredible to be unapologetically yourself,” described Amy Wei, Chief Operating Officer at OpenTable.
Guests dined on a three-course dinner with a menu created especially for the event. Padma Lakshmi stepped up to the plate as Gold Gala’s Culinary Director and Vijay Kumar with his team behind the New York-based MICHELIN-starred restaurant Semma was the Executive Chef.
While celebrating our accomplishments as a community, it’s important to recognize where representation falls short. OpenTable’s Chief Growth Officer Susan Lee sheds light on this. “In food, representation lags far behind. Over 78% of counties in the U.S. have at least one Asian restaurant, but if you look at the ranks of head Asian chefs, it’s a little shy of 20%,” said Lee. “There’s a lot of representation that still needs to happen in the industry.”
Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, was honored at last year’s Gold Gala and inspired to get more involved. “There’s nothing like this in America for AAPI talent from culture, business and government. I can’t imagine a better use of our time and resources,” said Soo.
Mike Van, President of Billboard, was also honored in the A100 list in 2023 and knew he wanted to participate in a more meaningful way.
See also: OpenTable’s Susan Lee holds space for diversity and working parents
Celebrating our community at the Billboard x Gold House Founders Party
The inaugural “Billboard x Gold House Founders Party” took place immediately after the dinner and program. The afterparty featured a performance by Nymphia Wind, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 16 winner and a headlining DJ performance by twice-Grammy-nominated artist and producer Steve Aoki in partnership with Amazon Music.
Dancing late into the night, guests were fueled with Panda Express and I had three too many mini bobas from Bopomofo Cafe.
At one point in the night, I found myself on the edge of a dance circle with Harry Shum Jr. and Everything Everywhere All At Once director Daniel Kwan. I thought to myself, wow, how long has it been since Harry Shum Jr. was referred to as the ‘Other Asian’ in Glee? Now talents like Shum are in lead roles and center stage. How far we’ve come!
And of course, it’s not a party without a karaoke room. Taecyeon and Ross Butler stepped up as unofficial emcees, while Auli’i Cravalho and Eric Nam took the stage with “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Burn,” respectively, followed by Chole Kim singing “Complicated.”
Asian and Asian diaspora music are driving global change
Throughout the night, you could also see a range of K-Pop Idols at the party. From Big Matthew, to Eric Nam, to The Rose’s Woo Sung and more, it was clear that the night was about bringing together the community.
HYBE Chairman, Bang Si-Hyuk, was also honored with the “Gold Legend” Award at this year’s gala.
Multi-hyphenate K-Pop Idol from 2PM, Taecyeon, is proud of how South Korean artistry is being celebrated globally. “Growing up in America…[and now] seeing Korean artists being respected and recognized throughout the world is unbelievable and I’m very proud,” says Taecyeon. “As an individual artist, it’s a good thing that the Korean industry has such global impact now.”
Billboard President Mike Van shared his excitement about the globalization of Asian and Asian diaspora artists. “When you take that into consideration how global music artists are doing well in the U.S. and in their own regions, it’s a healthy sign of what is to come,” Van says as he shares about new opportunities like Billboard China and Billboard South Korea. “Fans are discovering artists and new types of talent that are really leading music now.”
See also: You never walk alone: embracing identity through BTS and fandom
