For more than five decades, Corky Lee dedicated his life to documenting the Asian American experience and ensuring that our communities would be seen, remembered, and represented.

At a time when Asian Americans were often absent from the historical record, Corky made it his mission to tell our stories through the lens of a camera.

He called that mission “photographic justice.”

A second-generation Chinese American born and raised in Queens, New York, Corky became one of the most influential visual storytellers in Asian American history.

He often described himself as the “undisputed unofficial Asian American photographer laureate.”

And for generations of activists, artists, community leaders, and journalists, he was exactly that.

Corky captured some of the most important moments in Asian American history.

He documented the protests and movement for justice following the 1982 murder of Vincent Chin.

He photographed celebrations, demonstrations, cultural milestones, and everyday moments that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

His work preserved a history that too often had been overlooked.

Corky was inspired to become a photographer after noticing that Chinese workers were missing from a famous photograph commemorating the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad, despite the critical role they played in building it.

More than a century later, he recreated that image with descendants of the Chinese railroad workers who had been left out of history.

It was a powerful reminder that our stories deserve to be seen.

His commitment to community extended far beyond his photography.

As a founding member of AAJA New York, Corky helped create the VOICES program for college students and played a major role in raising scholarship funds for future generations of journalists.

Through annual photo auctions and years of mentorship, he helped open doors for young storytellers and strengthen the AAJA community.

In recognition of his work, he received AAJA’s Dr. Suzanne Ahn Award for Civil Rights and Social Justice in 2009.

But those who knew Corky remember more than his accomplishments.

They remember a friend, mentor, and tireless advocate who showed up wherever history was being made.

From New York’s Chinatowns to community events across the country, Corky and his camera were a constant presence.

His photographs helped us understand who we are, where we came from, and why our stories matter.

His legacy lives on in the countless images he captured, the communities he uplifted, and the generations of journalists and photographers he inspired.