Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
The BCNY x Dark Lab: Lunar New Year event on February 26th, 2026 brought together members, families, and community leaders for an evening of conversation, culture, and connection centered on Afro-Asian-Caribbean-Latine masculinities.
From an inspiring film screening and music to a thoughtful Q&A with Cecile Chong, Tao Leigh Goffe, Horacio Ramos Cerna, Carmen Lobue, and special guest Hasan Minhaj, alongside incredible Afro-fusion cuisine from our friends at HAAM (Healthy As A Motha), the evening highlighted the power of storytelling and shared experience.
Special guest Hasan Minhaj inspired the young men to see their friends as role models, as he did in his youth: “One of my biggest role models is one of my best friends from middle school. His name is Andrew Barren. […] Andrew was one of the first people that I met that made my world bigger.” In a world where famous people and celebrities tend to be at the top of many role model lists, this refreshing take resonated deeply with members, many of whom have found their lifelong friends at Boys’ Club.
We are proud to create spaces where our young people can explore identity, culture, and leadership in meaningful ways with their friends.
Media coverage:
“Hasan Minhaj Encourages NYC Teens to Find Role Models Close to Home at Lunar New Year Workshop”, News India Times
” FLUSHING, N.Y. — Comedian and former “Patriot Act” host Hasan Minhaj joined young members of the The Boys’ Club of New York on Feb. 26 for a Lunar New Year workshop celebrating Afro-Asian and Latin masculinities at the Abbé Clubhouse in downtown Flushing.
The event, held in honor of the Year of the Fire Horse, was organized by Dark Lab in partnership with the Boys’ Club and the Asian American Art Alliance. About 25 to 30 young men, ages 11 to 15, gathered for an afternoon of film, food, calligraphy and conversation centered on culture, identity and the role models who shape them.
Minhaj, a two-time Peabody Award-winning comedian, spoke to participants about rethinking who qualifies as a role model.”