Speaking

photos courtesy of National Women’s History Museum, Zibby’s Bookshop, TED, Charlene Wang de Chen, and Vita Hewitt

I have spoken about Anna May Wong, Asian American identity, my family’s intergenerational immigration story, Chinese restaurant workers, and other topics at numerous institutions, universities, and organizations across the country. In 2017, I gave the TED Talk “As American as Chop Suey.” As part of the U.S. Mint’s launch of the Anna May Wong Quarter in 2022, I spoke about Wong’s legacy at Paramount Pictures. Past speaking venues have included R/GA, Guidehouse, Stanford, Columbia, Barnard, NYU, USC, University of British Columbia, AFI Silver Classic Film Weekend, Metrograph, BIO International, the Museum of Chinese in America, the Chinese American Museum of Los Angeles, the Canadian Chinese Museum, Los Angeles Breakfast Club, and New York Public Library, among others. I have appeared in conversation with various personalities, authors, and scholars, such as Lisa Ling, Ed Park, Jeff Yang, Phil Yu (aka Angry Asian Man), Jezz Chung, Jason Wang, Mayukh Sen, and Arthur Dong.

Topics

THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ANNA MAY WONG

Based on Not Your China Doll, my deeply researched biography of Anna May Wong, I offer an overview of the groundbreaking life and career of Hollywood's first Asian American movie star and highlight some of the important milestones she achieved. Archival documents, photographs, and film clips are included in this 30- to 45-minute slide presentation.

THE CHINESE AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

This talk focuses on four generations of my Chinese American family and the immigration laws, social mores, and popular culture that affected their lives and influenced how they understand their "Americanness"—including my own experience as a mixed race Asian American.

GROWING UP IN THE 626: MY MIXED RACE IDENTITY

Drawing from my popular essay "Growing Up in the 626," which was first published in AAWW's The Margins and later reprinted in On Being, this lecture focuses on the mixed race experience in America, contextualized by historical research and anecdotes from my experiences as a mixed race Asian American.

contact

To inquire about availability and rates, email me at kayteesal [at] gmail [dot] com.