ABOUT THE PROJECT: I made this documentary about Ben Fong-Torres to correct a major omission in our American history. This is a legacy project for all of us. I spent 12 years and more than 120+ filmed shoots across the country with my film crew researching Ben's extraordinary story discovering information that only insiders know and is not anywhere public. I interviewed sources at Rolling Stone magazine, rock stars, the music industry, his family, and in our community. Every single interview was a stunning revelation. Ben Fong-Torres' story must be properly recognized today and in our American history.

Ben's true story has been lost for 50+ years. This shocking lapse affects a lot - including our American, California, San Francisco, journalism, music, cultural, and ethnic histories. The impact of Ben's influence to music alone is worldwide. It affects current and future generations, in a world of too few inspiring role models. Ben’s life directly intersects with the youth revolution of the 60’s, its ideals of free speech, civil rights, and its quest for truth and honesty - now 50 years later, we face many of the same challenges.

My film explores the highest ethics of journalism to do the hard work of fact-finding to discover the truth, ideals that Ben at Rolling Stone upheld and continues today.

Ben's story shatters the negative Asian American stereotypes that have persisted in mainstream media and Hollywood for years. His American story is one of very few as a central subject who is a U.S. born Asian American in a feature length documentary film to reach general audiences. San Francisco leaders including from Chinatown screened our film when we brought it "home." Grown men wept tears because they saw someone like themselves as the main subject in a feature film born in America with the respect and likeabiity from people from all walks of life and ages. The last time they said was the late Bruce Lee, a half a century ago.

With signs of change for more diversity, equality and inclusion, I hope my documentary, and companion projects will entertain - and in entertaining - will educate audiences from all backgrounds to Ben Fong-Torres, whose true story can inspire us as human beings, and help foster positive change to bring people together. This is one of many ways to ‘step up our game’ against the “haters” of Asian Americans still rising in 2022.

I come from a pioneer American family which homesteaded in San Francisco. My ancestor, a 12 year old, sailed to America from China more than 166 years ago, before America’s rail construction started, and before immigration stations like Angel Island existed. California State Museum has a permanent exhibit of my ancestor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr9yUwusT90

RUNNER UP: Staff of ABC News, "20/20 Murder in Atlanta: Stop the Hate," ABC News