A NAPAWF*NYC photojournalism project celebrating our amazing APA sisters of New York City. Click on each picture to read more about the featured sister, to reblog, or to share to your Facebook or Twitter.
Meet Cynthia Koo! Cynthia is a native New Yorker. She currently works at a technology startup while also running her own Etsy business. Check out her Etsy store here and read on for the full interview.
What brings you to New York City? What makes you want stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I was born and raised in New York City. I lived in California for three months, but couldn't resist the pull of NYC back. New York is a city infused with possibility. My favorite quote about it comes from The Great Gatsby: "I love New York on summer afternoons when everyone's away. There's something very sensuous about it - overripe, as if all sorts of funny fruits were going to fall into your hands."
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I'm a designer, and I currently work at a technology startup while running an Etsy business, Wonton In A Million (www.wontoninamillion.com) on the side. A couple of years ago, I took a few months off to travel and tasked myself with figuring out what the problem was that I wanted to work on. What did I want to spend my career fighting for? For a few reasons, I decided what meant the most to me was education.
For a few reasons. I believe so strongly that there are no solutions to society's problems that can't be solved by better education. Better in a few ways: More accessible. More personal. More holistic. Imagine a world in which a generation grows up learning to be kind, generous, and community-minded.
What are you most proud of in your life so far?
I just spent the last year building Wonton In A Million - an Etsy store selling dimsum-inspired merchandise. I’ve started and stopped tons of projects. I keep a list of things that I want to build - someday. This is the first time I've built something that has reached a level of momentum and exposure that I think can serve as a springboard for me to do a range of bigger and impactful things. One of my goals, for example, is to help usher Chinese cuisine (and culture) into the American imagination. Exposure to Chinese food is relatively low in a lot of the country. In a lot of places, impressions of Chinese food is limited to takeout restaurants. Unlike other Asian cuisines (Japanese in particular), there is little appreciation for it as an art form. But there is so much craft and finesse that goes into making Chinese food. And there is such a variety of it. I think food is a great and easy way to access and begin to learn about a culture - and I'm hoping WIAM will help me to help more people do that.
Who inspires you?
Each and every person daring to own and fight for their dreams.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
I don't feel entirely comfortable calling myself a civic leader/activist/advocate. But I'd love if what I do and try to do is enough to prove that we don't all have to dedicate our lives or careers to a cause or non-profit to make a difference. If we all did a little bit of good in our little part of the world, the world would be an infinitely better place. “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” - Mother Teresa
New York City is the ultimate city for diversity-- and diverse foods! With that said, what's your favorite restaurant within the five boroughs?
My favorite is Big Wong in Manhattan's Chinatown (Hong Kong roast meats). I could eat there every day!
Introducing Tara Suviyana Gowri Jayakar, fierce poet, rugby player, and editorial fellow for Poet & Writers’ Magazine!
What is your name?
My older sister gave me this middle name, Suviyana. Gowri may have been the name of my dad’s mom’s sister, or something like that. This conversation actually reminds me of the time that I read The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri on a plane, which really spoke to my soul. It talks about Indian diaspora, and what it means to be queer, father-daughter relationships, etc. One of the characters is named Gauri, and one is Meghna, which is my sister’s middle name. It knocked on a specific part of my heart, brought about this overwhelming emotion of finding belonging in literature.
What brings you to New York City, and what makes you want to stay? How would you characterize New York City?
New York was always the plan. I’m from the midwest, originally, and spent time in Chicago before moving, but I hit a ceiling there. It helped give me a good foundation to build momentum— I worked in non-profits, bars, pie shops, etc. I wandered into publishing, so New York was the place, in my mind. Now that I’m here, I never want to leave.
I love New York, but I will never be a New Yorker. I will always be someone from the Midwest who is living in New York. I’ve never felt so at home in a place before, but 50 percent of that is a sense of place and the other half is the growing, living, connecting with new people.
There’s a lot of work being done in New York to make the world a better place. There are a lot of people who are self-reflective—we’re all trying, fighting really hard to be seen, and to see our love reflected in the world. I feel so lucky to live here, and to have made the friends that I’ve made, and to keep growing in the ways I want to grow. Anywhere else in the world—especially in America—I worry that the things that are happening in New York are only here, that we’re not reaching further audiences. I’m so tired of white girls in the street not moving, and expecting me to get out of their way. As a “marginalized” person, or as someone who is really invisible in public spaces, what I say about that experience isn’t leaving big cities (New York, Chicago, LA). People aren’t hearing us, which is why we are seeing more laws being passed or considered that are xenophobic and hateful. I want to say to these people that, “You’re letting your hatred police every body that isn’t yours.” We’re not reaching them. Something’s gotta change, but I don’t know what that is.
I think that NAPAWF is doing a really good thing— they are fighting at a level that is bigger than us. The general public— these people who you pass on the street— may believe that they have control over your body in ways that shouldn’t be allowed, and that’s terrifying.
There are different levels of trauma— everyone’s seeing and experiencing it in different ways. Contemporary poetry is doing a really good job of connecting people to trauma, meeting in this emotive center and totally broken place. We need to center around this heartache, see each other and teach other. Empathy is super important, and we’re all trying to survive in this planet.
Even as a second-gen, queer PoC, my mind’s not trained to see other people’s experiences or otherness on TV that aren’t already in the narrative—white/black protagonists, having problems I’ve never had. It’s something you have to work on, something you have to learn.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I write poetry. I work at a non-profit literary organization. I’m the editorial fellow for Poets and Writers’ Magazine. We’re doing a good job of putting out resources and opportunities. We’re also publishing great articles that make you feel a little less alone. I play guitar. I play rugby. And I’m starting a graduate program (MFA in Poetry) at Sarah Lawrence College in the fall. I’m excited about that new phase in my life since I’ve never been in participatory workshop program. The ideal world would be where I am seen as a poet, and not an Indian American woman writer.
I also talk very loudly about feminism and reproductive justice, the Indian diaspora and horrifying results of institutionalized racism and hate speech.
It’s cool to see people react to these themes my writing, in a positive and good way. It’s cool to see people to see you, know you, in that way. We’re fighting so hard, and when I see people fight so hard, it gives me so much hope. And by we, I mean activists, artists, etc. That fight never stops.
What in your life are you most proud of?
With joining the rugby team, I didn’t know that it would be so emotionally expensive to join a team. But it’s really necessary to put yourself in a space where you’re committing to facing a fear everyday. (I guess that women and PoCs are always afraid, but this is a situation where that fear…. I don’t know, I guess there’s agency there? I’m choosing to meet this challenge, just like I can choose not to. We can’t choose the day when someone feels like they can say some shit to us or, take our lives away. And isn’t that so fucked? To choose contact sports in some sort of fucked up attempt to feel like you have some control?)
I think I’m most proud of making my mom proud of me. I mean, I moved to New York with nowhere to live, no job— I made a decision and stuck to it. For my 25th birthday, my mom sent me this card that said something like, “Happy birthday baby, I’m so, so proud of you.” And it made me cry— I’ve not been one to cry before. And my mom knows about my whole identity and she’s trying. My mom knows more about me than pretty much everyone else in the planet— maybe except my three best friends.
That’s another thing I’m proud of— finding these people totally on accident, just by making a choice to not be afraid and go to a thing, who pop out of the woodwork, and you just can’t imagine life without them. So I guess I’m proud of choosing to face fear, and all of these amazing things came out of that decision.
Who inspires you?
My mom. My grandmother. Both of them are really fearless, though they may not know it.My friends inspire me to be better, to think about things fully before I open my mouth, even though I’m still learning how to do that. My brother and sister. I think I’ve always been surrounded by people who fight a lot. They’re always trying to do something. I never see anyone give up, and I think that’s always inspiring.
I don’t know if that’s the immigration story, the PoC story, but it’s somebody’s story.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
I don’t know if I would call myself an advocate, ‘cause I don’t know what I’m advocating for, except for love and human understanding.
I think I just want to speak loudly enough so that I inspire others to speak out. It’s okay to talk, it’s okay to want to be heard in all spaces. It’s okay to tell your story, because someone’s going to see it, hear it, know it, and be like I see you, I hear you, I know you, and I have love for you.
I feel like when I speak, I speak in italics sometimes. I think there’s a lot of talk going around, being like “White People, you’ve got to shut up. You’ve got to stop using language that you’ve used historically to degrade someone.” And I feel that, I feel like that’s true and they should really learn how language influences a narrative and a worldview. But I feel like that at a certain point, that’s not helpful narrative. I want to tell someone my story, and for them to tell me theirs, and for them to hear me and to tell me at what level they hear me, and vise versa. There must be some middle ground where we can get to, where we can relate to each other. Nothing can be made if you’re telling me, “Dude you suck.”
All of us who are angry, we’re feeling left out, people are telling us that we don’t deserve what we want. And if what you want is to be seen, to be heard, I think that’s step one—to really hear each other. It’s so poisonous, this hatred and marginalization that we’re doing to each other. it’s civil war, it’s culture war. We’re really going to tear each other apart. You don’t want your kids to learn from your death, from your killing somebody else. I want my kids to learn from the example I set for them, while I’m alive and showing them how to see other people as humans with the right to live.
What’s your favorite New York moment?
Anytime I’m sitting in my friend’s kitchen or living room, or backyard— anytime I’m hanging out with people I love and respect, and we’re just talking about anything. I always come out of those conversations with a better version of myself.
We’re pleased to introduce y’all to Iris Zalun-- New York native, Pilipino American Unity for Progress, Inc. (UniPRO) volunteer, and Voting Rights Organizer at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF).
(P.S. AALDEF is looking for volunteers who will be on the ground surveying Asian American voters as they exit the polls on Election Day-- Nov 8th. If you’re interested, please sign up to volunteer at www.aaldef.net or email Iris at [email protected].)
What brings you to New York City? and/or what makes you want to stay?
I was born here and raised in Queens and Long Island and I just couldn’t imagine being anywhere else! I love all that NYC has to offer: the diversity, the food, the art, the history, the open-mindedness, the possibilities.
What do you do? What social justice issues are most important to you? Why?
I’m passionate about civic engagement – empowering Asian Americans and Filipino Americans to raise our voices, demand attention to the issues we face, and transform our own communities. I first became involved in this work through Pilipino American Unity for Progress’ (UniPro) voter education workshops and GOTV (get out the vote) efforts among Filipino American students and young professionals.
This led me to my current role as the Voting Rights Organizer at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), a national organization that protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. Right now I’m preparing for the 2016 Presidential Election, when we’ll roll out our Asian American exit poll to find out, first, how our community votes and what issues we care about, and second, what problems we encountered at the polls. Unfortunately, Asian Americans, particularly those who are limited English proficient (LEP), face a number of barriers at the polls, including a lack of translated materials and interpreters, improper requests for ID, and discrimination. By conducting this survey and working with jurisdictions to correct any issues, we’re ensuring that all Americans are included in the political process.
What in your life are you most proud of?
So far I’m most proud of UniPro’s involvement in fostering a widespread sense of community. Since last year, UniPro has expanded from NYC to San Diego, Chicago, and Seattle, building a movement among young Filipino Americans who want to develop as leaders and professionals AND give back to the community, all the while emphasizing inclusion and collaboration. Because of this, I’ve had the honor of meeting, working with, and forming close relationships with brilliant visionaries and innovators from all over the US – who actually look like me! There’s so much value in that. We inspire each other to keep doing what we do.
Who inspires you?
The women who have a vision and go for it.
I’m fortunate enough to be surrounded by a network of amazing women, from my friends and colleagues to the pioneers I meet through my community work. There’s Sarah Gambito, poet and founder of Kundiman, an organization dedicated to the cultivation of Asian American creative writing (and my poetry professor at Fordham!). Ruby Veridiano, who engages young women of color through her Glamourbaby Diaries workshops. Venessa Manzano, who filled a void for Filipino American children and founded The Filipino School of NY & NJ. Ayesha Vera Yu, whose groundbreaking Advancement for Rural Kids empowers rural communities in the Philippines to uplift themselves. I could go on and on!
Lastly, my mother. Whenever I’m afraid to take a new opportunity, I remind myself that whatever I’m facing is not nearly as terrifying as what she endured, having moved across the world to a new country where she had no family or friends.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
I endeavor to educate and empower the Asian American and Filipino American communities so we can achieve the equality promised to all Americans. In turn, the education of a true leader never ends; I aim to keep learning, challenging myself, and growing.
New York City is the ultimate city for diversity-- and diverse foods! With that said, what's your favorite restaurant within the five boroughs?
That’s a tough one; I have so many favorites! I really love Miss Lily’s 7A in the East Village. It’s Jamaican and the restaurant itself is so fun and colorful, just like its food. In terms of Filipino cuisine, I love House of Inasal in Woodside, Queens. I’m obsessed with their dessert – Pandan Tres Leches Cake and Pandi-Icecream. The latter is their take on the “ice cream sandwich” (scoops of purple ube ice cream inside a warm, sweet Philippine bread roll).
Anything else?
Yes! As the Voting Rights Organizer at AALDEF, I’m seeking volunteers! This Presidential Election is obviously a very important election, and the first without the full protections of the Voting Rights Act in 50 years. We could not do this project without the support of our volunteers, who will be on the ground surveying Asian American voters as they exit the polls on Election Day (November 8, 2016). If you’re interested in helping us out with this historic election, please sign up to volunteer at www.aaldef.net or email me at [email protected]. Many thanks to NAPAWF*NYC for being a co-sponsor of this project!
Read our interview with Socheatta Meng! Socheatta is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at Community Food Advocates and a Board Member of Mekong NYC.
What brings you to New York City, and what makes you want to stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I initially came to NYC for law school, and continued doing social justice work here after graduating, working with the New York Civil Liberties Union. Over the years, I continued to stayed as I laid roots, building up a community of friends and colleagues who are my family here.
Like any other place, New York has its challenges. But it's a places with a vibrancy, energy, and diversity of ideas and experiences that can be difficult to find elsewhere.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
At Community Food Advocates, I work on economic justice issues, specifically around food and income policies and programs to make them more accessible to low-income communities and communities of color. A key part of my work is making sure that those communities who are most directly impacted have a strong leadership role in the advocacy process. It's not the usual model of advocates advocating on behalf of impacted communities.
I also have a background in civil rights, workers' rights, and criminal justice issues. I think the thing that links all these issues together is a belief in challenging existing power structures and ensuring equity and dignity, especially for communities that have been historically the most marginalized.
What in your life are you most proud of?
I feel fortunate to have the relationships I have today, with people who are passionate, inspiring, and kind.
Who inspires you?
My family; they taught me about strength, resilience, compassion, and humor.
I also feel very grateful to be connected to Mekong as a board member and supporter - in many ways, it's a home for me. The reason I do the work I do is very much rooted in my Cambodian and Southeast Asian identity and my community's experienced with civil war, genocide, and on-going deprivations upon resettlement in the U.S. The work that Mekong does in addressing the legacies of war in Southeast Asia, and the ongoing barriers confronting the Southeast Asian community-- especially in the Bronx-- is a constant reminder that these issues continue to persist. And there is a need to empower people, and the unique lived experiences of Southeast Asians.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
One goal for me is to continue supporting leaders, particularly young leaders, to be able to advocate for themselves and to share their experience, wisdom, and expertise, in building up other leaders. In order to address systemic injustices, one person or one leader is not enough; it takes a movement and the will of people.
What’s your favorite restaurant in New York City?
There's a restaurant in the East village called Cafe Himalaya. It's a Nepalese-Tibetan restaurant. It's no-frills, low-key, and has awesome food. It's really good.
We’re excited to share our interview with Nicole Ponesca! A former advertising and production executive for Saatchi & Saatchi and for Euro RSCG, Nicole Ponesca realized that there lacked a major imprint of Filipino culture in the culinary arts. Nicole introduced America to Filipino cuisine + culture with her two critically and commercially successful restaurants: Maharlika Filipino Moderno and Jeepney Filipino Gastropub, the former winning best restaurant and Michelin recommended and the latter obtaining a coveted 2 stars by the New York Times.
What is your name?
Nicole Ponseca
What brings you to New York City? and/or what makes you want to stay?
I wanted to move to NYC when i was 5 years old watching Woody Allen on VHS tapes and FAME on syndication. Growing up, all I wanted was to move to New York, go to NYU, and become the next Donny Deutsch. And although I applied and was accepted early admission, my parents said no. So, 7 days after graduating from University of San Francisco, I booked a one-way flight to NYC with $75 in my pocket, no friends, no job, and no place to live. There were no cell phones and no internet, so really the only resources i had was the library, my common sense and the kindness of others. I stayed in an Econolodge near Newark Airport in the kind of hotel, where you didn’t want to look underneath the bed or behind the pillows.
I grew up in a great home and neighborhood and many amenities. I would have had it easy,, but I wasn’t interested in easy. I was interested in exploration, challenges and self-discovery.
Two weeks: that was my deadline for getting my shit together in NYC. I thought to myself that if i don’t have a job in 14 days, i would leave. On my 14th day, I had all my job offers.
I stayed in NYC because I didn’t belong anywhere else. I was a misfit everywhere else, but NYC has changed and so have I. Now, this may sound cliche, but I hope to become a citizen of the world. The next step is to be at least bi-coastal.
How would you characterize New York City?
Living in NYC is like your first great love: it may not last forever, it may burn you.
The affair may go down in flames, or it can last a lifetime. One thing is for sure, it will forever change you for the better.
What do you do? What social justice issues are most important to you? Why?
I’m an entrepreneur, restaurateur, and a modern feminist.
I built two restaurants on the idea of community and culture. To this day, I hope it stands as a testament to all female entrepreneurs and the FIlipino diaspora.
The social justice issues most important to me are an extension of my work. I’m an avid modern feminist and women’s reproductive health, LGBTQ rights, and women’s empowerment are areas that I’m most passionate about.
In this restaurant (Jeepney), there’s a huge painting of a half-naked woman in the back. From time to time, I receive criticism about it. Mostly from people who don’t know me. The comments range from female exploitation to degrading women. The irony here is that that’s not at all what I’m about. I’m clearly an empowered woman, but I don’t think that women have to chose between sexuality, beauty or brains. I, myself, am modest in clothing and fairly prudish, but I want to talk about these issues. I want more people to see women as fully dimensional persons that are sexual, intellectual and fun. This is my way of provoking that thought and conversation. From the food we serve to the messages we convey, I want people to create a centerpiece of conversation.
Advertising was my life for almost 20 years, and it has definitely influenced me. In the 90s, Benetton and fashion advertising were the breeding ground for showing me how art and commerce can create change because they both cause you to stop and think. I think food and restaurants can do that, too. I also want to spark conversation about identity-- what it means to be Filipino, Asian, sexual and smart.
What in your life are you most proud of?
Jeepney and Maharlika are more than just restaurants to me. They really helped spark a revolution for FIlipino food.
I’d like to think we made a difference globally. I tend not to look at food on instagram because i don’t like copying others or even being inspired by others. It’s just my personal preference not to, but from time to time, i get tagged on an image, and its of #kamayannight or something, and I’ve been able to see Kamayan night as far as dubai and London. Of course, it feels great.
...but I’m most proud of staying clean and true to my Filipino values, despite adversity and some major setbacks. I’m a survivor of intense child sexual abuse and a lot of people in the same position resort to drugs, alcohol or destructive behavior to cope with the pain. I can’t tell you why I didn’t resort to these coping mechanisms but i’m proud that i’ve made it to my adulthood with compassion and a hopeful outlook on life. I’m lucky.
Other than that, one of my favorite accomplishments is helping plan an annual charity ball “Evening in Manila”. The goal is to raise 1 million lunches for kids in the Philippines. The #1 reason kids drop out of school in Philippines today is malnourishment. Evening in Manila gathers truly accomplished and professional chefs and we create a luxe dinner focusing on filipino food and followed by an off the charts after party. Michelin rated chefs and restaurants from Locanda Verde, Union Square Cafe, Narita, us, etc. will be doing the benefit dinner. #eveningininmanila. Join @eveninginmanila for updates for this year’s gala on may 20th at the Pratt Mansion on the Upper East Side.
Who inspires you the most?
Madonna a revolutionary, a business woman, an artist, and a provocateur.
Jane Fonda for her grit, her talent and her determination.
Shonda Rhimes for all of the above.
What are your goals as a social justice advocate or civic leader?
I hope to take a bigger role in rallying for Asian American candidates in politics and public service. I don’t see them. Where are they? I support Jose Antonio Vargas with #EmergingUS and Defining American.
I’d like to help producers produce more Asian-American films. Recently #OscarsSoWhite has been a big topic. But first and foremost, it’s primarily a conversation about African-American artists and presence. We only just began to talk about Latinos, and Asian-Americans are last in that line. I hope to be an [Asian-American] champion as a producer. I’ve produced plays in the past and would like to get back into film and arts.
Would you share a favorite restaurant, guilty pleasure or a fun fact about you?
My guilty pleasure is going to jimjilbangs/Korean Spas, and when I’m in LA, Wi Spa. I like to go around 7 pm and stay late into the night and go back home at around 2am. In NYC, I got to the Spa Castle Premiere 57.
Anything else you want to share?
I want to share something with survivors of sexual abuse. A lot of victims end up addicted, abused or promiscuous, but if anyone is out there and of an impressionable age, [I want to share that] my ability to get through and maintain sanity is that I sought accomplishment. Not only does it keep you focused, it builds your self-esteem when you’re able to achieve goals. [It took a while] but things are a lot easier now because I was able to talk to my parents. [I think this is common] but there used to be an element of my blaming them [for what happened]. But I realize now they didn’t do anything wrong and did the best they could without knowing what was going on. And [this is common too, but] women themselves should not feel blame.
We’re excited to introduce you to Chau Trinh-Shevrin! Chau Trinh-Shevrin, DrPH, is an Associate Professor in the Departments of Population Health and Medicine at the New York University School of Medicine. Currently, Dr. Trinh-Shevrin is Principal Investigator of a NIH National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities P60 Center of Excellence - the NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH) – the only national center of its kind focused on understanding and addressing health disparities in Asian American populations.
What brings you to New York City, and what makes you want to stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I am a first generation refugee and I moved to Louisiana from Vietnam with my family. My family then moved to New York City when I was 15 years old because my of my father’s job. I went to high school in New York City and stayed in New York ever since. Living in New York made me aware of the Asian American Pacific Islander population and gave me a sense of community and advocacy. I characterize New York as a vibrant city and there is a sense that you can do anything you want. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I am a researcher and an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health and the Department of Medicine at the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine. I work with academic and community partners in New York City, and founded and established the NYU Center for the Study of Asian American Health (CSAAH) in 2003 with funding from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities. I focus on research that informs practice and policy and that resonates the community. My work is about understanding and reducing health disparities in the Asian American community and all other communities of color by trying to advance health equity that is informed by social justice. Health equity is not just about access to health insurance but also about improving education, housing, food security, advocacy and capital that related to health outcomes. This issue is important to me because I am a first generation refugee and I see how social inequalities play out in the health of communities.
What in your life are you most proud of?
I am proud of my three children, Max, Sarah and Alex.
I am also proud of the work that we do at CSAAH and the effort to establish CSAAH and to see how much it has grown since 2003. We have made a difference in research but also in training and mentorship. I am also very proud that our research and projects are informed by our Community Health Workers (CHW) because they are developing interventions informed by community partners. Because of our dedicated CHWs, we live by CSAAH’s philosophy to conduct research and stay try to ourselves and community we are serving and working with.
Who inspires you?
My three children inspire me. My parents also are an inspiration to me for having the immigrant experience that they had to come to the United States.
The people and the community that we serve and work with also inspire me because our work is participatory and the ideas come from our community partners. Their unique knowledge and expertise is inspiration to me.
Our Community Health Workers (CHWs) because they are the bridge between research and the community. I believe that they are the true change agents and the "unsung heroes".
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
My goal as a civic leader and advocate is to advance health equity, which is the highest attainment of health for all and ensuring that people can live to their full potential regardless of their background, race, class, gender, religion, etc.
What’s your favorite New York restaurant?
This is such a tough question for me because I truly don’t have a favorite restaurant. I can eat banh mi (Vietnamese sandwiches) anytime. There is a Korean restaurant in Westchester, where I live. Every friday, I go to this Korean restaurant and I get the same dish every time.
Meet Jaclyn L. Chen! Jaclyn’s a native New Yorker, a clinical researcher in her 9-5, and East Coast Asian American Student Union National Board Member!
What brings you to New York City? What makes you want stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I was born and bred in Manhattan, so it was quite natural returning to home base for my gap year before medical school. NYC is such a glamorized metropolis of undiscovered adventures and secrets, many of which will open up if you pause and give it a moment’s thought or exploration. From the AstroTurf in the parks to the Gatsby-esque billboards and endless Starbucks, New York City is an organized chaotic landscape, inhabited by some of the most dynamically ambitious people on Earth (and these people, however forward and brute they may be, have served as some of the best networking outlets in my time here). There’s never an equilibrium; opportunities and acquaintances come and go like the MTA trains during rush hour, and sometimes we forget to breathe. But that’s the beauty of NYC – it leaves us breathless. Call me an overly extroverted city girl but there’s simply nowhere else outside NYC’s most crowded venues that I am most able to find my peace of mind.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
Aside from working extensively in neuro-clinical research, I also serve as a national board member of East Coast Asian American Student Union (ECAASU). I’ve spent the last year travelling to various campuses throughout the East Coast, and cohosting workshops that highlight important contemporary, and, at times, race-sensitive issues. I’ve networked and collaborated with various leaders on mental health advocacy, racial bridging amongst different communities, breaking the model minority myth/ apolitical image, and leadership in the AA community. The connections made have generated such profound discussions that tie into global issues like racial health disparities and unjust political actions that calls for greater unity, expressed vocalization, and empowerment for the Asian & Asian American community.
What are you most proud of in your life so far?
I’ve struggled with physical insecurities all of my life – from my curly “non-asian-like” curls to my height and weight. While I was able to carry and present myself with confidence throughout my academic career, I felt these insecurities, faint though very existent, in my core. One day, I decided to take my first steps towards loving my physical self by swimming some laps at the pool. A few laps turned into a mile, and I soon found myself swimming over a mile every morning before school and work. The laps that left me breathless were the ones that helped me mentally resolve my perseverance and love for the sport. Every morning became the proudest point in my life, despite the fact that they were all small stepping stones going forward, longitudinally. Consequently, this journey has help me discover my inner-grit, and that is a quality I hope to carry forward with me in life.
Who inspires you?
My mother – she's a former Black Belt fighter in Taekwondo, and just a lovely lady overall. She’s taught me everything about being strong, both physically and mentally, and she continuously believes in everything that I do. I’m inspired by my mother to find beauty in the smallest of moments, to embrace and spread love, and to one day out-do her in a push up competition.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
On the broader scale, I’m hoping to drive more discussions with my work and provide opportunities for anyone interested in AAPI issues to have a platform (and mic!) whenever they want to speak up. I hope that future workshops will increase awareness and insight for new communities, and that the AAPI community continues to grow in a unified and expressive fashion filled with leaders from various fields and backgrounds. Going forward, I’m looking to drive outreach and increase outlets for other advocacy leaders to come on board and have their voices be taken seriously. From leadership discussions to spoken word performances to multi-workshop conferences, there has been tremendous progress in solidifying the AA presence as a population that needs to have its voice heard and received with open ears. We are a community that is expanding exponentially in terms of population, depth, and volume. It’s time we turn the speakers up.
New York City is the ultimate city for diversity-- and diverse foods! What’s your favorite food?
I am absolutely addicted to dark chocolate (fun fact: raw cacao overstimulates neurotransmitters in the brain in a similar fashion to that of cocaine and morphine). So kids, just eat chocolate!
Meet Julie Ae Kim! She’s a native New Yorker from Queens. After graduating from college, Julie moved to China to work on sexual health issues as a Program and Research Coordinator at Social Entrepreneurship for Sexual Health in Guangzhou. Following her time abroad in China, Julie moved back to Queens and is currently a Community Organizer for the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs.
What is your name?
Julie Ae Kim
What brings you to New York City? What makes you want stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I'm a native New Yorker! I grew up in Bayside, Queens since I was 5 years old and have recently moved Long Island City. But it's interesting, growing up in Bayside/Flushing, the goal was always to move away to the 'real' city, Manhattan. It was only as I grew older that I realized how important growing up in Queens, in immigrant communities was to my identity. I went away for college for four years and lived in China for a year after I graduated, so when I came back, my eyes were opened to the immense diversity and cultures that I took for granted. I've been really keen to explore other immigrant enclaves like Sunset Park, Jackson Heights, South Bronx (to name a few) and if anyone is down to take me around, contact me!
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I work as a community organizer for the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, working predominantly in the Flushing area.
Gender equality, LGBTQ, and immigrant issues are the most important to me. Working in the immigrant community, I've realized just how little conversations about feminism and LGBTQ issues are happening due to cultural, generational, and language barriers. How can we start to bridge these gaps? How can we reduce stigma and taboos around LGBTQ issues in conservative immigrant communities? How can we start the conversation around gender equality, feminism, misogyny with the older first generation without alienating each other?
Language access. Open minds and hearts. Genuinity.
I think it starts with this. On a practical note, learning the vocabulary necessary to even start conversations with our limited english proficient parents and grandparents can be a tangible first step for some of us.
What are you most proud of in your life so far?
I think a moment that I'm truly proud of will come in the future.
But for now, I'm proud of myself for sticking with learning Mandarin for 5 years and living in Guangzhou, China for a year to work on promoting sexual health education, in particular with LGBTQ communities.
Who inspires you?
People that are unabashedly true to themselves. It's one of the hardest things to do.
My family and best friend, Stephanie.
But also random people I meet and hear about inspire me constantly with their bravery, compassion, and generosity.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
As a community organizer, my goal is to connect people in my community to each other so that amazing ideas and collaborations can occur. Particularly, I work a lot in Flushing and hold regular socials for people to meet each other.
As a community activist and advocate, my goal is to challenge myself to look for problems that I can take tangible steps toward solving. I want to work on developing young immigrant women leaders. I want to build intergenerational relationships. I want to work build strong coalitions with other communities of color.
New York City is the ultimate city for diversity-- and diverse foods! With that said, what's your favorite restaurant within the five boroughs?
haha! Is it a cop out if I say that my favorite restaurant would be my parent's house in Bayside?
Today’s sister is Cathy Dang. Cathy is a fierce leader in our community and is currently serving as the Executive Director of CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities.
What brings you to New York City? What makes you want stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I was raised in New York City. I spent my childhood in Queens, but also spent a lot of my time at my parents' nail salon in Downtown Brooklyn in the 80's and 90's. My family moved to the outskirts of Los Angeles after we experienced a sharp decline in our business with the gentrifying changes to Downtown Brooklyn in the late 90s. I lived in Los Angeles during my young adult life and moved back to New York City to be back where I felt like was home.
New York is my home. It's a little rough on the body and exhausting, but as corny as this is, Alicia Keys says, "If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere." I think it has been a challenge for me to be back in a city that is completely different from the city that raised me, and a sad realization that the gentrifying changes continue to make it harder for working-class and poor people to survive here. But, despite all that, what I find so beautiful is that we find a way to make it work.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I am the Executive Director of CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities, a grassroots organization that organizes low-income pan-Asian immigrants for racial, gender, and economic justice towards systemic and institutional change. I've been organizing in Asian communities, immigrant and communities of color for over 10 years. Aside from being the president of the Asian Pacific Student Association in college, my first stint at social justice work started when I was the Joseph Ileto Hate Crimes Prevention Fellow at the (then) Asian Pacific American Legal Center (now Advancing Justice for Asian Americans - Los Angeles). Joseph Ileto, was a Filipino postal worker, who was killed by a White supremacist and his family started the fellowship to work on issues of White supremacy and hate crimes. Through the years, my organizing was mostly in labor and community-led development.
One of the more memorable experiences was organizing youth in Los Angeles' Chinatown with no funding or resources. We met every Friday in a cafe or each others' houses to address the issue of education access for the Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Latino youth of Chinatown. A greater chunk of my organizing was organizing in labor to improve wages and working conditions for restaurant workers. While my day job was at a worker center, I volunteered outside of my day job with the Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance, the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance, developing the initial strategy to stop Wal-Mart from opening in Chinatown, Los Angeles and organizing small business owners to fight its opening. I was also on the first coordinating committee for the Hai Ba Trung School for Organizing, the first program to develop and train Vietnamese young organizers.
The issues most important to me are vast, but centered on racial, gender, and economic justice. What does that look like? Well, it’s centered on systemic and institutional change led by the working-class, homeless, immigrants/refugees, communities of color, women, queer, gender non-conforming, and trans communities. And I have and still continue to organize through housing and workers' rights with an analysis to address the root causes of inequality - structural racism, patriarchy, capitalism, imperialism, etc.
We have to organize those most directly impacted by the system within our own Asian communities and show up in solidarity with Black communities in their fight for racial justice. Black communities in the U.S., in every shape and form, have been the target of White Supremacy that has used all other communities in between the spectrum as a tool to maintain anti-blackness and the power of the elite White few. In order to win for our own Asian communities, we need to show up in solidarity for Black communities.
What are you most proud of in your life so far?
Audre Lorde says that self-preservation is an act of political will. As a daughter of refugees who were displaced by war and then coming to the U.S. and being displaced again by gentrification, I am most proud of
surviving and overcoming challenges and still being able to stand with resiliency.
Who inspires you?
CAAAV staff/volunteers/members - I know this work isn't easy and I value their patience, thoughtfulness, concern, analytical thought processes, and commitment to each other, the organization and the movement. We are all trying to figure it out together and I am inspired by their ability to support each other as we move through a challenging moment for us.
I am also inspired by my mother, who continues to live with positivity despite having lived through extreme poverty, war, resettlement, and many hardships. She is the person who taught me what self-determination looks like.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
Movement building and chipping away structural racism is beyond a lifetime's work. I don't have my personal goal as an organizer, but a goal with directly-impacted communities to take down structural racism, capitalism, and patriarchy. The foundation of the U.S. was built on free and cheap labor, policing of women's, gender non-conforming and trans bodies, continual challenges for the working-class and the poor, and discriminatory laws that upheld power and privilege for a few.
With the hundreds of years of systemic and institutional oppression, it will take decades to centuries to reverse all that's been done. But we have and continue to work together locally and nationally to ensure that we are building the new world that is sustainable for all of us. And in order for all of us to survive in a world that seems almost impossible, we have to organize those directly impacted by the system within our own working-class and poor Asian communities and show up to fight for justice with our allies - Black, Latinx, Muslim, indigenous, trans, gender non-conforming, & queer communities.
"We say you don't fight racism with racism. We're gonna fight racism with solidarity." - Fred Hampton
Anything else?
Live and lead with: 1) being principled, 2) humility, 3) self-determination, and 4) love.
Today’s sister Patricia Eng. Pat is currently the Vice President of Programs at the New York Women’s Foundation. She has also served in leadership roles at Bolder Giving, Ms. Foundation for Women, and Safe Horizon. Pat was the founder and executive director of the New York Asian Women’s Center, the first organization addressing violence against Asian women on the East Coast. We so admire and love this trailblazing sister!
What brings you to New York City?
I was born and raised in New York City. My family was the first family on an all Italian block. So I always say that I grew up Italian-Irish–Chinese! Irish because I was born on St. Patrick’s Day. I am the last of five daughters; my parents ran out of names, or energy. Stumped when the hospital asked for a name, somebody just said, “It’s St. Patrick’s Day, name her Patricia.” (laughing). And then for my Chinese name- the same thing happened. Once again, they ran out of names, and so my Chinese name is “Fifth Sister.”
I was my parents’ last hope for a boy. I really felt that in different ways, including through all sorts of jokes—but jokes have a way of reflecting an element of truth. So they would joke with another Italian family on the block who had a son of a similar age, and my family would say “oh, let’s swap!” because they wanted a boy, and the other family could have a girl.
What issues are most important to you? Why?
I always felt that I was different, in different circles. I grew up trying to live up to some outside standard, be something I wasn’t, or prove myself in ways that I didn’t fully understand. For me that’s why this whole notion of race, class, and gender is really seared into my DNA. It’s these early experiences of feeling less than, that have always stayed with me. I always identify with the underdog; whatever that most invisible community or group is that has least power.
I’ve been on a lifelong quest to find my voice. I admire that quality in others and when I see it in other young women, I want to support it. It’s so powerful and so exciting to see. I love seeing people newly stepping into leadership; particularly hearing the powerful voices of young Asian women stepping into leadership. It makes me proud to see Asian American women speaking up and being visible.
What are some lessons you’ve learned through working in movements to end gender-based violence?
Right now, it’s taken for granted that everyone knows what domestic violence is. But decades ago, that was a new conversation. The language didn’t even exist. Domestic violence as a term, and even rape as a term, didn’t have a name. It was women naming their own experiences.
In the Asian community, certainly, it was naming that for the community in a way that is experienced differently now. I think even people who are coming from other countries get it— there is a new baseline around knowing that domestic violence still happens and people know it is wrong. Whereas years ago, we had to convince people that domestic violence was wrong.
What was it like to work in a situation where others did not recognize domestic violence, or see it as wrong?
Hurtful. There was so much basic education that we had to do and little support from outside or within the community. I think on some level now- people may pretend they don’t know that it’s wrong, but most people do know it’s wrong. Perhaps in degrees—it’s an easier lift now. I’m not trying to say that there aren’t issues-- there’s still so much education to be done, and every generation has to be educated on these things. But back then, there were no resources -- we literally were creating it as we went. What we take for granted now, wasn’t there. All this infrastructure wasn’t there - no hotlines, no shelters, nothing was there. Certainly not in the Asian community.
A lot of people said, “They are the model minority. Asians have family problems?” People were really perplexed. They really thought, “Seriously? We’ve never seen that before.” It was just totally brand new. Now looking back, it was like wow—[our work with the New York Asian Women’s Center] was ground breaking in a way that I don’t think I was able to really recognize —because when you’re in it, you don’t always see it until later.
What are the ways you’ve grown and continue to seek growth?
I was learning as I went. There were so few leadership development opportunities that I could participate in. I went to an institute for not-for-profit management—(back then- it was amazing there was even such a thing!). I was probably part of the very first cohort they had. It helped me to learn about administration and management practices, but by the time I got through [the institute classes] I said—“wow, I was doing this the whole time already!” I was learning all of this by doing. There were no leadership supports at all, to understand your leadership in a specific way. It was all just “DO IT.”
By the time leadership development activities became prominent and others said, we really need to develop this pipeline-- I was no longer a new leader. So I never was able to get this kind of training that people now have. It’s absolutely great that new leaders have this training, but I’m also thinking, so now, what do the older generations get? We may still be doing some things wrong, we may not even know. How do people my age continue to learn and feel supported in our learning?
What in your life are you most proud of?
I feel very grateful for the positions that I’ve landed in. Leaving the New York Asian Women’s Center to go to the Ms. Foundation was such a powerful experience after working in a nonprofit organization and building it from the ground up. Having a bird’s eye view from a foundation was quite a privilege. I really recognize that. It was so exciting to take a step back and say “what’s happening in the movement overall?”
I was the first Program Officer for safety at the Ms. Foundation and my role was to develop that program. That was quite a privilege. I took a look around and said- what is the gender-based violence movement now? I really looked at the intersections --- particularly layering on issues of race and class. Because it was seen as a white women’s movement, women of color could never really be heard in the same way.
I was really taking a look at the layers of race and class, and the over-reliance on the criminal legal system as a primary solution that the battered women’s movement prioritized. It was all about locking them up. So I pulled together a roundtable discussion on over-reliance on the criminal justice system, out of which came a document that was used by law schools, and it stimulated a lot of conversation. I was also doing stuff on community engagement- what does it really mean to engage communities differently and what does it mean in communities of color?
People don’t recognize—that women’s funds have really changed society in a lot of different ways. For example, it was the Ms. Foundation that actually started the first collaborative fund in philanthropy - a creative way to leverage money that they didn’t have. And now there are collaborative funds left and right everywhere. But it was women’s funds that created a collaborative grant making model.
What are some issues you are currently reflecting on?
Social movements in the past couple of decades have been so vibrant. And I’m so grateful to be witnessing the shifts. I look back and realize these things didn’t necessarily happen in a vacuum. Marriage equality, Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street movements- these are really powerful watershed tipping points. I’m recognizing that movements often build off of what came before- not necessarily so directly or linearly- but perhaps in terms of creating social conditions and evolving social consciousness in a way that then allowed the LGBTQ movement, for example, to build off of the women’s movement that was also built off of the civil rights movement. We don’t always recognize how that is.
When we talk about girls and young women of color- we want to honor the leadership they have now. Absolutely they are leaders now. But it’s also important to understand what their moms have gone through or the work that has come through organizing in various communities of color. And the struggles of women in communities of color--- generations of active women being at the forefront of every wave of activism in their communities need to be recognized. The struggle around being women is not new.
I understand it’s not the 60s and 70s, but if you take a close look, the core issues are the same. The current context and how we address them have shifted. How we understand that across generations is an important reflection-- to know what came before and what it looks like now. We become so ahistorical sometimes that it doesn’t serve us well. We don’t know our own history—and it’s important to know our own history.
What advice or reflections would you offer to emerging leaders?
I think understanding that we’re mentoring all along—mentoring is a two way street and always evolving. I’ve always been interested in hearing what other people think because I think that they are smarter than me. I have always felt that I learn something from people I encounter rather than the other way around, but I didn’t recognize that other people saw me as having power. So I never understood those as power dynamics. I was not aware of the personal power that I held-- how to wield it in the best way, and how to really accept it.
It has taken me decades to feel comfortable with myself in different ways and own it (this is still evolving). But now I know myself better and I know that I can’t be someone that I’m not. For example, I always thought that it was a deficit to not express an opinion on every topic. I sometimes felt like I was playing into a “quiet Asian stereotype” by not speaking up, but I now realize that it’s just as valuable and powerful to share a reflection that perhaps is overlooked by others. I am finally learning to own and play to my unique strengths.
In my professional roles, I certainly recognized the institutional power of community organizations and philanthropy. But through it all, the relationships have always been key. And for me, my personal integrity is most precious. So, I would say that it’s important to center your values in whatever work you do. Don’t compromise so much that you can’t look yourself in the mirror.
What are your goals as an advocate and community member?
By building a community organization from the ground up, I have a deep appreciation of what it takes and the profound impacts that can be achieved. I also know that money can make a critical difference in how far that work can go. Having been on the fundraising AND grantmaking side of non-profit work, I see my work now as working to change the face of philanthropy. I want for us all to recognize that communities of color have always been very philanthropic. I want to change the way that philanthropy works with more of a race and gender lens inserted into grantmaking decisions.
I want to engage both personally and professionally in community philanthropy. I personally donate to the various API giving circles and try to stretch myself in my individual philanthropy. I want all of us to stretch our own roles in philanthropy—no matter how much we give, what is the identity that we can each claim around being a philanthropic activist?
Professionally, I think that giving circles are probably too small right now, but as a growing movement, and particularly for the API community, is there a way to use that to pressure other foundations in different ways? How do we make the [work with giving circles] much more impactful and meaningful so that it moves mainstream philanthropy? We’re doing these things because the organizations that we care about—are not funded and not on the radar of other foundations. These are the organizations that today will build the movements of tomorrow. And I want to contribute in every way I can to make room for the important work to come.
What’s your favorite restaurant in NYC?
I love Asian food in general, it is my favorite! Gaonnuri Korean restaurant has a beautiful view of the Empire State building. They have really good food too!
Our Board Member Eunice Ok had the chance to sit and chat with Kam Wong, VP of Diversity and Inclusion Planning and Administration at Prudential Financial!
What is your name?
Kam Wong
What brings you to New York City? and/or what makes you want to stay?
My family has lived in NYC since we immigrated [from Hong Kong]. When I was graduating from law school and deciding where to take the bar exam, I considered a lot of different cities where I could see myself happily settled. At the end of the day, it was family that brought me back to the city and has continued to keep me here. NYC is a vibrant, dynamic, and international place. It’s hard to find a substitute - even despite a one and half hour commute to work in NJ.
How would you characterize New York City?
Vibrant, dynamic, rich in terms of diversity of people, of thought, of opinion, and of food. It’s an incredible place to live, experience, and grow.
What do you do?
In a nutshell, I ensure that our company recruits, hires, promotes, advances, and retains talent without regard to characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, and military status. I ensure that we engage in equal opportunity in our decision making around employees and in our workplace. I lead a team that audits and reviews our progress in ensuring there are no barriers to equal employment opportunities. Additionally, our office also promotes a climate of inclusion, such that everyone can bring their whole selves to work.
What social justice issues are most important to you? Why?
What has been most important to me personally and professionally is enabling people to live their fullest potential and advocating for equitable access to opportunities. I have served as a public interest lawyer for 17 years. During that time, I was able to give voice to children and immigrants and to advocate for equal opportunities for workers. Presently, my work in diversity and inclusion strives to enable individuals to bring their whole authentic selves to the workplace—without the need to "pass" for someone else or to "cover" who they really are. I hope one day we can all get there.
What are you most proud of in your life?
I’m most proud of my children Cole, who is 11, and Mia, who is 9. They really are true delights -- their joyfulness, laughter and affection. I am really proud of the thoughtful people they are becoming. The best part of my day is returning home to them and my husband. Their happy shuffle and welcoming hugs and kisses always make me laugh, and reminds me how blessed I am.
In terms of work, I’m proud of the difference I was able to make for those I represented as a public interest lawyer. The 13 year old whose juvenile delinquency and school suspension charges were dismissed, the Morgan Stanley female employees benefitting from a $54M settlement and substantial changes to company policies and practices, the Hispanic and African American employees of Tavern on the Green receiving compensation for the emotional distress they suffered in connection with racial/ethnic harassment they experienced--these were some of the hundreds of individuals I was privileged to represent over my 17 years as a trial lawyer. More than anything, I think what mattered most to those I served was that they felt heard and believed I was fighting hard for them. The 13 year old I mentioned earlier, that everyone gave up on, well, he baked me the most beautiful cake and wrote on it: “Thank you, Kam Wong.” How amazing is that?!
Who inspires you the most? (You can mention public figures or people you know personally.)
My mother. She has passed now, but she was the most incredible woman and played a pivotal role in my life. She came to the U.S. leaving everything familiar behind her at age of 48, with 5 children in tow. She boarded the plane and flew for the first time. The only person she knew in the U.S. was my sister who had immigrated earlier after marrying a war veteran. My dad had first arrived with three of my brothers (I have seven brothers altogether). He arrived a year ahead of us to scope it out. Once he decided it was a good place to resettle - a “land of opportunity” - then my mother came with the rest of us. She was always so dedicated in working to provide for the family. She worked her entire life until she retired in her 70s. We started in a factory, then saved and borrowed enough to start a family restaurant. Those were the longest days ever. She would work a solid day, cook dinner for us, and clean up before she ate. She worked a good 15 hours, day every day, but never complained. She was never able to indulge in hobbies because she had to be so single-minded to take care of the family, as we were so poor and had so many mouths to feed. My mother has been my inspiration to keep on, when many times I’ve wanted to give up. With all that she suffered and the sacrifices she made for me and my siblings, quitting cannot be an option.
What are your goals as a social justice advocate?
To continue to advocate for equal access and opportunity, so everyone can be uplifted. That’s what brought my family here. My children recently learned about Susan B. Anthony in school, and it’s encouraging to see how far we’ve progressed on the gender front, but there is still a distance toward true parity. And, it’s sad to see the racial divide still to this day, especially in the criminal justice system. There’s still so much work to be done. The goal is to go beyond acceptance to full inclusion and truly valuing and celebrating diversity.
What is a guilty pleasure or a fun fact about you?
A guilty pleasure is being in my PJs, cuddling with my children on the couch, and watching a movie together with popcorn and ice cream.
A fun fact is that I worked with a team to build a bridge in Glacier National Park, Montana, using only hand tools, when I was 16 years old. I was one of about 10 volunteers with the Student Conservation Association. It was in the backcountry and absolutely pristine and beautiful. The bridge was to enable horses to cross over a muddy bog without getting stuck and injured. The bridge was supposed to last 10 years.
Introducing Rachelle Peraz Ocampo, APA public health professional, co-host of Makilala TV, and strong community advocate!
What brings you to New York City, and what makes you want to stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I was born and raised in Long Island, but Chinatown is what caught my heart. The constant hustle, the access of the most delicious food, the rich history, and the people are what I appreciate the most about this area. Now I live, work, and serve here!
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I recently accepted the position as the Associate Director of Health Education at Charles B. Wang Community Health Center whose mission is to eliminate health disparities in health, improve health status, expand access to the medically underserved with a focus on Asian Americans. The issues that are most important to me are women's health, smoking cessation, and providing access to culturally competent health education. This is what got me involved with NAPAWF*NYC in the first place because I was given the opportunity to work on a Health Resource Guide made specifically for Asian women in NYC. There is so much information out there that relate to health, but there is little use of creating materials if they are not culturally relevant, accessible to the target populations, and can be read and understood by your target population.
What in your life are you most proud of?
I am most proud of the relationships that i have built both in the Pilipino community and the general Asian American community. Networking is the easy part, but sustaining those relationships is what helps form your future paths. I believe that there is a combination of luck and creating opportunity for yourself to lead. I learned how to hustle my way to opportunities and balance work and personal life to a point where I can say I am happily busy doing what I love- community service and public health.
Who inspires you?
Other than my own mom who is my main motivation to be a kick-butt woman leader, I feel that the Pilipinas who I encounter and share stories of endurance and strength through the deepest hardships and how graceful they are when they are at their best. I am producing an original benefit production called "Raised Pinay" where we have 13 Pilipinas or "Pinays" who will be sharing their experiences living as a Pilipina or Pilipina American through monologues, dance, and art. This will be to raise funds and awareness to the beneficiary organization, Roots of Health, which I am a Board of Director. The wom*n I have been blessed to share my story with are incredibly inspiring and it is because of them that I am working hard to get our stories out there.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
To be able to raise the Pilipina American voice. We are a strong force whose voices are not as respected or recognized in businesses, organizations, political landscape, or in our very own homes. I am also a lead Co-Host of the 1st FilAm TV Talk Show in the NY metro area called Makilala TV which means "get to know" in Tagalog. Through this venue and through my community work, I hope to elevate our issues to the decision makers and hope to show the world that our voices count.
What’s your favorite restaurant in New York City?
So difficult to say because there is SO MANY delicious Filipino restaurants that are popping up and thriving! I celebrated my last birthday at this hole-in-the-wall mom and pop restaurant called Papa's Kitchen in Woodside. We did Kamayan style dinner which means we ate ONLY with our hands, no utensils and of course - no party would be complete without karaoke!
Introducing Xuanzi Jia, current NAPAWF*NYC Membership Chair, Smith College alum, and courageous community activist!
What brings you to New York City? What makes you want stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I wanted to see if I could “make it work” in New York City. (Obviously citing to a Tim Gunn quote from Project Runway…) I can’t really say I’m a true Cali girl even though I moved from Irvine, CA to the city about a year ago today. I was really only in California for four years during high school and one year after college, but I lived in New York State for a good number of years during middle school and elementary school. I was the token Asian girl in my neighborhood until I was about 16 years old. I didn’t even know there were that many different types of AAPI folks until my parents moved to Southern California! (I know - crazy.)
The energy and creativity here make me stay. Folks here aren’t afraid to live the life they’ve carved out for themselves. I think so many in New York City are fearless and bold – at least from what I can see. To me, this city is less about adaptability and “fitting in” than it is about creating/recreating and wholly embracing the multifaceted experiences that shape us.
I was watching this YouTube clip of an AAPI female psychotherapist giving a lecture called “Culturally-Sensitive Assessment and Treatment of Mental Health Symptoms Among Asian Americans,” where she talked about how we are more heavily shaped by our learned experiences than we think. I have to reference the psychotherapist, Irene Chung, here since it was an “Ah-Ha!” moment for me; I use to think we don’t really change much after we reached adulthood. Now, I think we’re more likely to change depending on how we process and internalize these “learned experiences” throughout our lives. If we seek new and positive experiences or view an experience in a positive way, we’ll be more open to change and be readily able to adapt to a host of life changing circumstances.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I work full-time in downtown Manhattan, but volunteering is like a part-time job for me because I get to meet incredibly dedicated folks who are passionate about AAPI women’s issues. I’m particularly interest in AAPI women’s health, more specifically reproductive and maternal health. It’s a challenging and highly politicized topic - not to mention rarely ever talked about in first generation immigrant AAPI households. There is still a stigma and fear of talking about something that uncomfortable within certain pockets of the community.
I grew up in a very traditional household where to this day we never talk about anything related to reproductive health. It is still such a taboo topic in my household because it was considered an extremely shameful topic. I was so misinformed, while my non-AAPI girl friends seemed to know more about how their bodies worked.
What are you most proud of in your life so far?
I am most proud of the self-discovery I have done. It was a goal I set for myself and I think I’m on the right path. My level of self-awareness is growing as I mature and age, which means I’m actually excited to grow old in hopes I’ll learn more about who I am. I know I’ve learned how to better process life lessons. I really enjoy learning and hearing about how others process similar experiences differently from me – it’s fascinating.
Who inspires you?
Good leaders inspire me because they are courageous, yet humble people. I know this sounds so cliché, but I think good leadership is difficult to find since not everyone knows how to balance conflict with consensus. The greatest leadership I have seen have come from those who think about service above all else. Prolonged leadership roles require leaders to serve a greater purpose – for them it’s not about the title or the limelight, but about thoughtful and purposeful actions.
The best leadership I have witnessed tend not to be grandiose actions taken by those with impressive titles in the news, but every day leaders in action. Recently, I saw a CitySightseeing double-decker New York bus driver stop the bus to slip a $20 bill to a low-income elderly gentleman crossing near Allen and Hester Street while it started pouring rain. The bus driver stopped the bus, got out, and asked the elderly gentleman if he needed anything. The bus driver wanted to help the gentleman cross the road because it was raining, but ended up slipping him money because he felt the need to help out. The driver was a young man, but he had a wealth of spirit and kindness that I admire. I ducked into a bus station when it started pouring that day, so I was lucky to have witnessed that young man’s leadership and kindness. I don’t think anyone else noticed his actions because the whole incident took less than 2 mins. I draw inspiration from people like him. I think small moments can be more impactful.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
To me, activism work is essentially community service, but paired with passion and commitment. My first goal is to understand what service really means and how that translates to actionable items. My goal is to do more of what I do, but on a larger scale and in a more impactful way. I want to be more fearless, courageous and vocal. Being fearless and courageous seem like the same thing, but to me being fearless is doing something outside of your comfort zone, such as speaking up and standing up for yourself. Being courageous means going out of your way to help someone and stand up for someone else in support of them knowing you might very well be putting yourself on the line to get burned. My volunteer work is my commitment to my AAPI community and to AAPI women like myself. I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to meet and to learn about good leadership from many of our current board members in the NAPAWF*NYC chapter this year.
New York City is the ultimate city for diversity-- and diverse foods! With that said, what's your favorite restaurant within the five boroughs?
My friend and her boyfriend introduced me to SomTum Der, an Isan (Northern) Thai restaurant in Alphabet City. I love it because it’s so unexpectedly spicy. The spiciness is punishing, so I leave defeated and sniffling – but I still sneak a few more bites of the leftovers the morning after.
Anything else?
I would love to reread this story years from now and see if I’ve stuck to these goals I’ve set for myself here! We shall see… Thanks for reading!
Introducing Yuena Li, current director/actor/producer triple-threat, loving mother, and world traveler!
What brings you to New York City, and what makes you want to stay? How would you characterize New York City?
June of 1989, my mom was an activist in China so New York City was her escape. I joined her in late 1994. Ever since a young age I travelled often whether it be for weddings, funerals, or studying abroad. I simply loved being a little wanderlust between Asia, North America and Europe. As much as I enjoyed getting out of the city and after being away for a bit, there's literally no place like New York. It's amazing the diversity just walking down one block. Though we may be a hot mess at times but no where else will you find the variety of nationalities, culture, personalities, cuisines like the way have it here.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
Currently I am a producer, director, an actor and probably best known for "25 Types of People New Yorkers hate on the Subway". Though this hit 100k views in 4 hours and one million views in 24 hours, one of the most popular comments was "I didn't know only Asian people ride the train" inferring that since most of my cast was Asian, it was quite unusual. That comment had merely hundreds of likes. One of the replies was "so for every white person movie, do you ask why [are] there only white people?".
This is the exact reason why I do what I do.
What in your life are you most proud of?
There are many challenges and achievements that I didn't think I would overcome but I did. However what makes me the most proud is my 9 year old son. One of the most unexpected things for a Chinese immigrant girl is to have a baby at the age of 18 without getting married. This of course was frowned upon, not just in my family, but my culture as a whole. Regardless of how hard I knew it was going to be, I was determined to do whatever I can to keep my son. Over time, family and friends came around and became supportive. My son has been my sole purpose in life and his happiness is my happiness. I work hard every day to make sure he doesn't ever feel empty or missing something.
When I was 18, everyone said it would be a hard life if I chose to have him and he wouldn't be happy with just one parent. However he's currently the happiest I've ever seen him and this month we just got the notice that he's the student of the month. Ten years ago I didn't expect this to be my life but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Who inspires you?
In terms of a global sense, I would have to say Angelina Jolie. She's always all about giving back and making a difference. She could have chose to live her life very differently with her stardom but she has vowed to make changes in this world for the better and I would like to follow her footsteps.
However my son is actually my motivator. He pushes me to keep working hard each and every day. I want to be able to make changes in the world that he's going to grow up into. Although sometimes it seems like my efforts are very minimal but I know every little step towards the right direction counts.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
My goal is to change the perceptions of how Asian Americans are represented and we shouldn't be able to count the handful of talent that is in Hollywood. From acting to directing to cinematography to music, there’s so much more talent out there and my goal is to bring a platform for more Asian Americans to showcase their gift.
What’s your favorite restaurant in New York City?
My friends frequently come to me to ask for food recommendations and I absolutely love ALL food but currently my favorite spot to go to is Snowdays. It's a Taiwanese-inspired shaved snow cream dessert shop located in Flushing. It has everything I like about Asian-inspired desserts such as black sesame and green tea flavored snow cream, pocky, green tea brownies and mochi. It's also my son's favorite dessert place so I can't help but like it too. Snowdays is very light and filling at the same time. It also likes to trick my mind into thinking I'm getting full off of flavored snow flakes.
Introducing Julia Yang-Winkenbach, current NAPAWF*NYC chapter leader, philanthropist professional, and social justice advocate!
What brings you to New York City, and what makes you want to stay? How would you characterize New York City?
The reason that I can even call myself a New Yorker is because my parents decided to move to New York in the late 1980s, after a false start in California. They drove across the country, chasing the possibility of a dream and a new beginning. Shortly after they settled down, I was born in Flushing, Queens. With the exception of spending one year abroad for grad school, I've never lived anywhere else!
Why do I stay in New York? Mostly out of love -- my core network of friends and family has always been in the New York area and I even convinced my now-husband to move out here too. Sometimes New York can be a difficult, trying, woefully unequal city, but every now and then, you feel this glimmer of hope. And I think that silver lining can be attributed to the grit, drive, and absolute fierceness of our complex and beautiful immigrant communities. You can’t walk anywhere in New York without recognizing the past, current, and future contributions of immigrants and their children.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I work in philanthropy, specifically for a family foundation that supports groups working at the intersection of immigrant rights and social justice movements. I've only been in this field for a little over one year, but already I can see that there are so many unsung s(heroes) helping to move positive changes forward.
Outside of my day job, I'm a chapter leader with NAPAWF*NYC, where we strive to create those spaces for tough conversations about issues that matter to our core members. I'm also a new member of the Asian American Impact Fund, which has taught me a lot about collaborative grantmaking at the local level.
Lately, I've been thinking a lot about inclusion, and how we make space for other ideas, opinions, thoughts, movements, etc. It's tough and I've struggled a lot with how I communicate my perspectives and positions, especially when confronted with downright racist ideologies and anti-immigrant sentiments that I simply do not feel like engaging with, because a healthy debate is often a non-starter.
Who inspires you?
Hands down, the wom*n in my life, starting with my mom, sister, and late grandmother, inspire me on a daily basis. I like to think that I carry pieces of their knowledge, passion, and drive with me at all times, despite living parallel lives, since they were the first ones to really teach me about compassion and respect. Not too many people remember this about my parents and my late grandmother, but when they first moved to New York, they supported and sustained our family by running a laundromat, seven days a week.
I'm also deeply inspired by the various community organizers and leaders who I'm able to indirectly support through my day job. They are truly doing the hard work of helping to shape a more inclusive, equitable, and just society, and I'm grateful to have the chance to continually learn from them.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
I strive to be an active listener and thought partner -- meaning I try to listen to what others need or want, and meet them halfway or so. I think we live in a society that often (mistakenly) places a higher value on “in-your-face or loud” leadership, which sometimes results in rash and quick decision-making, at the expense of others. However, I’m also of the same mind that we need to take more risks to support our communities, so it’s always a challenge for me to consider both perspectives, though they are far from mutually exclusive. I’m lucky to be surrounded by thoughtful leaders and mentors who fit that model of being deliberate risk takers - both in my workplace and in my personal life - so I hope to continue on this path though I can’t say for sure where it will lead me!
In the long run, I envision continuing to be part of a larger movement for a more just and inclusive society, knowing full well that this might take a lifetime.
New York City is the ultimate city for diversity-- and diverse foods! With that said, what's your favorite restaurant within the five boroughs?
At the moment, I’m torn between two restaurants (and boroughs) - Pye Boat Noodle, a Thai restaurant on the Upper East, and Hunan House, a Chinese restaurant specializing in all things spicy in Flushing. I also highly recommend going up to the Bronx for a delicious Italian meal at any number of restaurants on Arthur Avenue, or its version of Little Italy.
Introducing Diane Wong, native New Yorker, Social Media Wizard for 18MillionRising.org, and rising academic star!
What brings you to New York City, and what makes you want to stay? How would you characterize New York City?
I was born in Flushing, Queens and live there now so I never really left New York City. I have a contested relationship with this city but I choose to stay because of closeness to family and the nurturing spaces I've carved out here -- I also feel like there's still a lot of work left to do. New York City exhausts me but being here has made me learn how to take better care of myself and practice radical self love.
What do you do? What issues are most important to you? Why?
I'm the Social Media Wizard for 18MillionRising.org, an online advocacy organization that fights racism against Asian Americans through online campaigns. I am also a doctoral candidate at Cornell University where I write on the intersection of race, gender and the gentrification of Chinatowns. As a scholar activist and educator, my work stems from a place of revolutionary praxis and love for community. I'm doing my best to connect online and on-the-ground organizing work around issues of immigration, police violence, language access, and affordable housing. In the past, I worked on some Asian youth and immigrant civic engagement projects based in New York City including for Chinatown Youth Initiatives, East Coast Asian American Student Union, and CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities.
What in your life are you most proud of?
I'm proud of making it this far as a woman of color in academia. I'm the first person in my family to make it through college and now to pursue a doctoral degree. It makes me feel incredibly thankful for the immigrant women in my life who have sustained me through this journey and for all the brave sisters out there who aren't afraid to speak truth to power inside the ivory tower. But most of all, I'm proud to stand on the shoulders of extraordinary women of color educators who came before me.
Who inspires you?
I have always been inspired by the warrior women who raised me: my mother, nai nai, and aunt. Father figures have been absent in my life, I am who I am today because of the unconditional love, patience, and support of these three immigrant women. I also look up to radical women of color writers including Gloria Anzaldua, Cherrie Moraga, Arundhati Roy, Zora Neale Hurston, Maya Angelou, Grace Lee Boggs, Nayyirah Waheed, Rupi Kaur, Warsan Shire, to name a few.
What are your goals as a civic leader/activist/advocate?
More recently, I've been thinking a lot about the immediacy of language justice and creative ways to communicate across generations. I want to explore new possibilities for inter-generational dialogue and to build intentional spaces that can facilitate this process. This is a personal goal too because I am learning how to speak, read, and write in my mother tongue again. I want to use what I learn to help interpret, provide materials, and translate resources so that those who are most marginalized in our communities are not left behind or out of conversation.
What’s your favorite restaurant in New York City?
My favorite place to eat is in Chinatown called Wah Mei Take Out on Hester Street. My favorite borough for food is Queens, there's so many incredible stores and street vendors. I'm going to keep my favorite spots on the low though because gentrification is happening in Queens.
Introducing Marilla Li, policy professional, Barnard grad, and reproductive justice advocate!
What made you work and live in NYC as opposed to somewhere else?
During my last year at Barnard, I wrote my senior thesis on how different groups of women respond to birth control marketing. While I did research for that, I received advice to reach out to the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, which serves a lot of undocumented Asian Americans.
The biggest takeaway I had from that interaction was, I’ve been in New York City, for, at that point, 11 years. I’ve been through high school and college here, I’ve been in all five boroughs, and I’m still encountering very high-need, marginalized groups that I have no idea about.
That really hit me, when I heard about the groups of women that weren’t being served. I felt compelled at that moment to keep on exploring groups of women in New York City that I don’t know, and that I can probably assist, because I have some Chinese language skills. That definitely kept me in New York City.
How did you transition from working in healthcare to working in policy?
I was essentially at a non-profit, grant-funded health center, which is beholden to all of the policy changes around healthcare, and is affected by things like budget cuts, whether on the state or city level, to things like community healthcare.
So I felt that on a visceral level from the moment I started [working at] the health center. I was feeling, on a day-to-day basis, the results of major policy changes. That set the tone for my line of work. I thought, everything I do [at the health clinic] is informed and decided on by policymakers and policy changes, so it’s important for me to understand how that process works.
For me personally, it was important for me to remember why advocates are coming to us to ask for money and support, because I remember how governmental policy changes impacted my day-to-day life working at the community health clinic. I lobbied for the health clinic in Albany to my current boss, and that’s how I met her.
What kinds of issues are you involved in now in your work with Assemblywoman Nily Rozic?
We have broken down her priority issues into 4 pillars: Quality of Life, Immigration, Women, and Transportation. Those are the big areas that [Assemblywoman Rozic] focuses on.
My role is to be the face to the district residents— 30-40% of them are Asian American, many of whom have high language access needs, but they’re not as dramatic as when you go towards Central Flushing. There are many homeowners relative to Manhattan. Their concerns are pretty unique to the district. I make sure to help any of them who come into the office about problems that the city or state has authority over.
How did you get interested in reproductive justice?
My mom’s an ob-gyn, and I grew up in a household where you see medical manuals everywhere, photos— it was definitely an experience growing up in a place where your mom is on-call to deliver babies. It’s something I’m familiar with by association.
I had a clinical perspective on health, but by the time I got to Barnard, I had more of a public health perspective. I thought a lot about women’s bodies and the politics behind the topic, not just the medicine behind it.
I was a Well-Woman (the campus health promotion program) educator on campus. I credit Well-Woman for taking me to my first reproductive justice rally, which was somewhere in Washington Square Park.
Are there any other social justice topics you’re interested in?
The Asian American community and Asian American identity is a pretty important issue to me. I would say, thinking about the role of Asian Americans in NYC, in particular, is a big priority of mine. The Asian American Alliance (AAA) was the first group I got involved in during college, and I never thought of myself as someone who was civically engaged or interested in social justice. When I was in high school, I wasn’t interested in anything like that.
I didn’t have the idea of fighting for things, which is your classic model-minority experience. I went to a high-achieving school, and I encountered unspoken cues that said, “You’re a very nice, young, quiet Asian American girl, young woman, so stick with it, you’re gonna go to college, that’s what matters, and probably be a doctor.”
And so [my involvement in] AAA and Well-Woman were very important pieces to my politicization. And more importantly, I was in a good place, surrounded by people who really pushed me to think about how Asian Americans fit into the community of color. Like today, how do Asian Americans fit into the Black Lives Matter movements? That was a perfect breeding ground for me to think about those issues.
Who inspires you?
Constance Wu, because not only is she now recognized as an actress, but she’s thoughtful about what her impact is on Asian Americans in media, and the visibility of strong Asian American women. She’s very nuanced in her thoughts [about that] and does a pretty good job of conveying them. She has also done a pretty good job of taking responsibility for Asian American advocacy.
As an example, she commented on Chris Rock’s joke at the Oscars about the three Asian American kids. There were a lot of stereotypes embedded into [the joke]. Constance Wu tweeted about how Chris Rock was suggesting, “You can get away with making these jokes about Asian Americans and nothing happens to you.” It means something that Constance Wu spoke up about that. She’s challenging general communities to think more about the nuances behind the Asian immigrant experience and the Asian American experience. The way she handles questions about her life and career is inspiring to me.
