Multicultural Day NYC
New York City | February 1, 2025
At Multicultural Day NYC, two standout performers—Sean Xu and Joshy K—delivered a groundbreaking act that fused Bian Lian (Face Changing) with stage magic, captivating an audience of over 1,600 and earning a standing ovation. Representing the Autism Awareness Alliance and Love Without Borders USA, their performance stood as a cultural and advocacy milestone.
Sean Xu, a junior at The Hun School of Princeton, was the only high school student among 24 professional artists. Wearing a striking red Bian Lian costume symbolizing prosperity in the Year of the Snake, he led the charge in bringing autism inclusion to the forefront of a major Lunar New Year celebration.
This year’s performance also introduced a creative breakthrough: for the first time, flag dancers were incorporated to visually interpret the emotional rhythm of the face-changing art. Their movements added depth and resonance to the symbolism behind each mask transformation. “
“By blending dance into the show, we revealed the soul of Bian Lian—not just its spectacle,” Sean explained. “It allowed the audience to connect with the story behind the masks.”
The emotional response was immediate. Seniors and immigrant families were especially moved by the powerful blend of cultural heritage and inclusive storytelling.
“This was a bold step,” Sean added. “We weren’t sure how it would be received. But we believe neurodiversity belongs in every multicultural celebration—it’s one of the essential colors in the rainbow of diversity. And what better place to begin than Brooklyn, one of the most diverse communities in the world?”
When East Meets West
One of the night’s most unforgettable moments came when Sean’s teammate joined magician Joshy K for a jaw-dropping levitation trick. The act seamlessly combined the grace of traditional Chinese opera with the illusionary flair of Western magic.
“That moment captured the essence of East meets West,” said Jack Ho, Community Director for Assemblyman Lester Chang. “Bian Lian and magic both require intense discipline and craftsmanship. It was symbolic—and deeply moving.”
Alma, a first-generation immigrant from the Philippines, shared: “After leaving home, we rarely had the chance to celebrate our culture. Today, for the first time in years, I felt that joy again. I felt at home.”
Sylvia, an autism mom and recent immigrant from China, added: “This event gave me more than happiness—it gave me connection. I made new friends, found support, and learned from other moms. That kind of support is priceless.”
Following the performance, New York State Assemblyman Lester Chang met with Sean and Joshy to learn more about their work. Sean shared updates on his leadership role with the Autism Awareness Alliance in Princeton and his founding of HOTPOT, the first student-led autism awareness publication by high school volunteers.
The Assemblyman praised Sean’s creativity and commitment to cultural advocacy: “Neurodiversity is a twinship of cultural diversity—especially here in Brooklyn,” he said. “Young leaders like Sean are helping build a future where both are not only represented but honored.”
To formally recognize their impact, Assemblyman Chang presented Sean Xu and the Love Without Borders USA team with a Certificate of Merit for outstanding service, cultural preservation, and inclusive community leadership.
During this event, AAA raised $3,200 in donations and thoughtfully purchased 100 signed copies of autism author Ellen Sabin’s book to gift to the families in attendance. This gesture conveyed our deep care for every individual with autism and our support for their families. The walk was not just about moving forward physically, but also about connecting hearts. Through our actions, we demonstrated that love and support know no boundaries.
The preparation for the event began early at 7 a.m., filled with excitement and anticipation. With warm smiles and hearts full of enthusiasm, students Xu Shenyao and Liu Xinchen from the Hun School of Princeton, New Jersey, and Xiaoyue Yang from Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology in Virginia donned adorable mascot costumes to greet families arriving at Princeton Junction. Buses, filled with eager volunteers and families, headed towards Pier 16 in New York, all united by a common mission: to make a meaningful impact on the autism community.
At the same time, Alan Su, Simon Su, Krishn Maystry, and Andy Granados from John F. Kennedy High School in New York, set off from Long Island to the event venue. When they arrived, they found students Fu Yuqi from Pine Crest School in Florida, Yang Yifan from New York University, and Chen Xinzhu from Columbia University already hard at work. They hoisted the Princeton Autism Awareness Alliance flag, inflated balloons, and carefully arranged snacks and gifts, eagerly awaiting the arrival of families from New Jersey.
Despite the heavy rain in New York, spirits remained high. The venue buzzed with energy, and every volunteer was eager to make a difference. Some even dressed as the children’s beloved Kamen Riders, taking photos and interacting with the kids. The rain only added a special touch to the day, as it could not dampen the volunteers’ passion. The love and care we shared shone brightly, rain or shine.
The event also featured a special guest, children’s author Ellen Sabin, who hosted a heartwarming reading session with her book The Autism Acceptance Book: Being a Friend to Someone with Autism. Ellen shared that everyone should learn to respect differences between people, and through this book, she hopes to help children understand the challenges faced by individuals on the autism spectrum. She encouraged them to put themselves in others’ shoes and treat others as they would like to be treated. Her words deeply inspired all the attendees, helping us gain a deeper understanding of the power of compassion and inclusion.
In addition to the reading session, the Princeton Autism Awareness Alliance also sponsored a captivating lion dance performance. In the AAPI community, lions are seen as symbols of protection and prosperity. Through this vibrant performance, we aimed to convey messages of hope and goodwill to all participants, while also helping to build stronger bonds in our diverse community. This cultural showcase not only energized the crowd but also allowed everyone to experience the beauty and strength of unity in diversity. Through this event, we’d be sending a powerful message of hope and good wishes to all the loved ones who participate. This could inspire them to weave an even tighter bond within our beautifully diverse community.
Diana, a mother of five from New Jersey, has an 11-year-old daughter on the autism spectrum. This was her second time participating in an event organized by the Princeton Autism Awareness Alliance. Having just moved to the state this year, Diana was deeply touched by her first experience with the alliance’s autism event. Through the event, she met families in similar situations, who became not only her friends but also warm and understanding supporters. Because of this, she did not hesitate to sign up for the charity walk and worked alongside volunteers to post flyers and raise funds in the community. She said emotionally, “As Ellen Sabin mentioned, I hope people will look at my child with fairness and without prejudice. I hope all children with autism will never be overlooked. I am committed to raising awareness and understanding of autism in the community—this will be my lifelong mission.”
The Princeton Autism Awareness Alliance’s contributions were also recognized and praised by Andra, the organizer of the Autism Speaks New York charity walk. He expressed his gratitude for the alliance’s significant impact on the community and looked forward to working together again next year. He said, “Through our joint efforts, we can create a more just world and improve the lives of everyone on the spectrum.”
