Corky Lee

Corky Lee was a Chinese American activist, community organizer, photographer, journalist—and the self-proclaimed, unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate. His contributions to the community were vast and deeply impactful—far too great to capture in a single post. To learn more about his extraordinary work, I encourage you to check out the Google Doodle tribute: https://doodles.google/doodle/celebrating-corky-lee/.

Although I never had the chance to meet Corky, his legacy continues to inspire me. In his honor, I’m extending this series, Portraits from the Community, indefinitely. There are so many remarkable, unsung heroes who serve our communities with quiet strength and dedication—not just during AAPI Heritage Month, but every single day.

True art educates, uplifts, and empowers. I’d like to believe that Corky’s spirit lives on in all of us who strive to tell our stories with purpose and heart.