About Us

As a longtime educator, Kate was the program manager for the Asian American Education Project and a K-12 curriculum editor for the PBS Asian Americans docuseries. Born and raised in San Diego, Kate currently resides in Connecticut where she has been a middle school teacher for over ten years. She also served on the board of directors for the Immigrant History Initiative and is an advisor for the Asian American Women's Political Initiative's (AAWPI) National Civic Impact Fellowship and Incubator Program. In 2025, Kate served as a FAWCO delegate to the 69th United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. Kate happily travels for food and is always on the search for a bowl of bún bò huế.

Jeffrey Gu is a Co-Founder and served as the inaugural Policy Director (2021-2025) at Make Us Visible. Prior to MUV, he was Legislative Director for the Every Voice Coalition Connecticut, where he oversaw the unanimous passage of a bill lowering the barriers to reporting for student survivors of sexual misconduct. Jeffrey serves as the youngest Member on New York State’s inaugural 13-member Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission, on the Board of Directors for CUNY’s Guttman Community College Foundation, as a Member of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY)’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, and on the Advisory Board for Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum.  In 2025, PoliticsNY and AMNY Metro named Jeffrey an AAPI Power Player, “shaping the future of New York City.” Jeffrey graduated with a BA from NYU in 2022 and is currently a J.D. Candidate at Columbia Law School. In his free time, Jeffrey enjoys reading old speeches, fishing with friends, and watching the Boston Bruins.

Brett (she/her) is a first-year at Stanford University, studying Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity and Human Biology. Born and raised in Seattle, Washington, Brett has been deeply involved with the MUV WA chapter since its formation. She is a long-standing committee member and their designated student and marketing liaison. In high school, Brett advocated for and assisted in implementing an Asian-American history course at her school, co-founded her school’s first AAPI Affinity Group, led her school’s first Lunar New Year and AANHPI Heritage Month celebrations, filmed a documentary on the AAPI experience at her school, was selected to attend the Student Diversity and Leadership Conference, and more. Additionally, outside of school, she worked with local AANHPI, specifically Desi, politicians in their marketing and community outreach strategies. After watching the PBS documentary series “Asian Americans” during the pandemic, her eyes were opened to the critical lack of AANHPI representation in her K-12 schooling. Today, Brett couldn’t be more enthusiastic about Make Us Visible and its grassroots efforts.

Colin is a high school student and youth activist from Central Florida. He has advocated for broader recognition of Asian Americans and their cultural heritage across the state of Florida, including with Make Us Visible's Florida Chapter. Colin also works with AAPI Youth Rising, REACH of Central Florida, along with his school's Asian Students Association. Currently, he is excited to transition from Make Us Visible Florida’s success to a position where he can guide other youth advocates to be successful in advocating for AAPI history in their local communities. In his free time, Colin likes to explore Mills 50 (Orlando’s Little Saigon) and learn Mandarin and Cantonese.

Jamie (she/they) is a social work professional in Florida. She is an alum of NYU's undergraduate film program and Washington University in St. Louis' graduate school of social work. Previously, they worked in New York City's film industry, fostering a supportive environment for young technicians to learn as well as lending their creative skills to projects that uplift the voices of BIPOC and LGBTQ people. Through working in youth-serving organizations and attending graduate school, Jamie has expanded their toolbox of skills to include advocacy, program development, direct practice, and research. They were a proud part of the Make Us Visible Florida team that helped to pass the state's AAPI history inclusion bill. Jamie wants to utilize her breadth of skills to make movements for change more colorful and aesthetically pleasing . They are a Walt Disney World annual pass holder  with an Instagram account dedicated to the Living with the Land ride at EPCOT and Disney-inspired information on nature, sustainability, and ecology.

Raphael is a father, author, and software engineer. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife, Amy, a Dominican American, and is the son of Iranian and Polish immigrants. They are raising their daughter to embrace and love all aspects of her heritage. He enjoys sharing his passions from cooking to developing. Raphael is concerned his 7-year-old daughter won't be interested in programming.

Aiza (she/her) is a Filipino-American New York Posse Scholar at Connecticut College with a major in Biology and minor in English. She hopes to pursue a career in nursing, specializing in neonatal care or pediatrics. At Conn, Aiza is a scholar for the Program in Community Action (PICA), where she strives to implement meaningful changes in local and global communities through experiential learning with non-profit organizations in New London, CT, and through critical scholarship in social and economic justice. Through this fellowship, she hopes to incorporate what she accomplishes and learns into her Senior Integrative Project, as well as her social and political praxis. Aiza also serves as Secretary for the Asian Students in Action (ASIA) club, which aims to foster greater inclusivity for all Asian-identifying students, and to create a safe environment for all club members through education, programming, and events. Aside from these leadership positions, she works as a barista at her campus cafe: Coffee Grounds. Her favorite foods are sushi, Filipino sinigang, and Bonchon soy garlic fried chicken.

Erin is a freshman at Stanford University originally from New York who has lived abroad most of her life. Erin is interested in exploring Asian American representation in cinema, literature, and education, and enjoys learning about the rich histories of ethnic communities around the world. With Taiwanese and Korean roots, Erin is passionate about advocating for multi-cultural representation in curricula and hopes to increase the current landscape of Asian American narratives through her work with Make Us Visible. Besides researching Asian American history and content in schools, Erin likes to spend her free time reading and eating through the town!

Ivy lives in Queens, NY, with her parents and four younger siblings. She has always been passionate about teaching and supporting younger kids, especially her own siblings. Her experience as a summer camp counselor further deepened her love for education. A rising senior, Ivy has spent 12 years in the U.S. public school system and has long felt the absence of Asian American history in her classrooms. This experience fuels her commitment to advocating for AAPI education and cultural visibility. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting cute plushies.

Jamie is a rising high school senior in New York City. Born in the US and raised in West Virginia, she experienced the challenges of growing up in a place with limited resources and representation for Asian Americans. Since moving to New York two years ago, Jamie has been inspired by the strength of the Asian American community - a presence she hadn’t seen before. Motivated by the community’s determination to secure better opportunities and support, she has actively volunteered and participated in various AAPI initiatives. Jamie is passionate about advocating for visibility and resources for the Asian American community, and she is committed to helping amplify the voices of this small but powerful group.

Bingjie is a freshman at Harvard University. Prior to attending college, Bingjie lived in Chinatown, New York ever since she immigrated at the age of 5. Bingjie has been engaged in many community organizational efforts, including fighting for housing justice. As a student, Bingjie is interested in developing more AAPI representation in the school curriculums so AAPI students have the chance to explore their identities. In her free time, she likes to go on walks to explore the city.

Jason Hu is a freshman at Harvard University, tentatively studying in the field of Social Sciences. Jason is a passionate advocate for Asian culture, AAPI education, and civic engagement, and whether interning for FL House Representative Rita Harris or hosting Orlando's Asian cultural festival, he has always loved connecting with the Orlando community. He looks forward to working with MUV to strengthen AAPI education and culture through advocacy.

Aanya is a freshman at the University of Chicago. In high school, she was the president of the APIDA affinity group. Aanya also worked on the My Story Our Future project in collaboration with the University of Connecticut, to create an archive of oral histories of Asian American immigrants. In her free time, she enjoys playing piano and squash.

Nathan is a rising high school senior from Houston, Texas, and a third-generation Korean American. He is passionate about history, with a particular interest in how seemingly unconnected events are deeply intertwined. Frustrated that Asian Americans are too often portrayed in history classes solely through moments of “otherness” — such as the Chinese Exclusion Act or Japanese Internment — Nathan joined Make Us Visible to challenge the subtle, persistent ways the “perpetual foreigner” stereotype is reinforced. As an education intern, Nathan is working to ensure that teachers have accessible, high-quality resources. He also serves as Vice President of his school’s East Asian Affinity Group, campaigns for Texas politicians, and advocates for youth civic engagement through his work on his city’s youth council. In his free time, he enjoys going to all-you-can-eat restaurants with his friends.

Juleen is a high school student from Queens, New York, currently attending school in Brooklyn. She is Korean American and deeply proud of her heritage. She has always felt connected to her Korean community and culture whether through volunteering at a Korean afterschool program or teaching both buchaechum (traditional Korean fan dance) and K-pop choreography to students from all backgrounds. Juleen finds joy in making her culture accessible, engaging, and exciting to others. She joined Make Us Visible to help raise awareness about AAPI voices and make sure Asian American history is taught and recognized. Juleen is also part of several writing groups in New York City, where she uses storytelling as a way to connect with others and advocate for change. Through culture, writing, and activism, she hopes to help build a more inclusive and informed future for AAPI communities and beyond.

Angela is a rising first-year student at Wellesley College who intends to major in Psychology. She resides in Brooklyn’s bustling Chinatown and has always grown up fascinated by all the cultural threads that tie her community together. Angela has served as a Teen Activist at the NYCLU and a Healthcare Disparities Fellow at Youthbridge-NY. As an Early Learners Assistant at KUMON, she focuses on bridging the language gap for ENL students. Angela has witnessed firsthand the unique challenges Asian American children face in the classroom. Guided by empathy, Angela is eager to further her advocacy journey by joining Make Us Visible as a Policy Intern.

Zoe is a high school student from Queens, New York. She is a proud Filipino-American who loves sharing her culture with others. Growing up, she felt frustrated by the lack of education and resources about AANHPI history. And so, she joined Make Us Visible in June of 2024 to help promote the integration of AANHPI history in her city’s education curriculum for future generations. She has volunteered at several cultural events, and attended the inaugural meeting of the New York AAPI Commission. As an education intern, Zoe is currently doing research to create an AANHPI-based curriculum. Zoe has a penchant for learning languages, and hopes to become an English teacher someday. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing poetry, getting food with her friends, and sleeping on the train.

Matthew is a dedicated AAPI youth advocate passionate about advancing inclusive education and representation. As Legislative Co-Lead and Board Member of AAPI Youth Rising, he helped introduce the One Day of AAPI History Lesson to his local school district and spoke at the 2024 White House AANHPI Policy Summit about bullying’s impact on AAPI youth. His nationally published op-ed and partnerships with TAAF and SFSU have advanced advocacy for AAPI history in classrooms across the country. As a Youth Ambassador for Act to Change, Matthew created an anti-Asian American hate infographic adopted as an educational resource and led the 2025 Call to Action Summit on civic engagement. He also served as one of 50 Youth Senators in the Asian Pacific Youth Leadership Project, participating in legislative simulations to strengthen AAPI youth voice in policymaking. Matthew is excited to bring his experience and commitment to Make Us Visible’s mission of embedding AANHPI history in education systems nationwide.

Sophia is a Japanese-American college student at University of California Irvine. From San Diego, she lived there with her parents, who immigrated from Japan, and their adorable dog, Chabo. Growing up, Sophia was very integrated with her Asian heritage. Every summer, Sophia and her parents return to Japan to reunite with their extended family.  She looks forward to seeing all her cousins, having the best food, attending summer festivals, and overall, spending quality time and making memories with her loved ones. Motivated by her desire to elevate her knowledge about AAPI history and educate others, Sophia joined Make Us Visible. She is proud of her Asian-American heritage and hopes to share the beauty that is our cultures, histories, and traditions with the rest of the world. By doing so, Sophia hopes to contribute to the representation and empowerment of all Asian American communities.

Alex is a high school student and a self-proclaimed history nerd based in New Jersey. He runs a YouTube channel where he makes videos on obscure historical events. Additionally, Alex works with South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) on the First Days Project where he collects accounts of immigrants' first days in America. MUV's goal of stopping violence against the Asian American community through education resonated with Alex after his mother was a victim of an anti-Asian hate crime. As an education intern, Alex is currently working on research for curriculum development. He’s a competitive swimmer and water polo player and also enjoys volunteering at an elder care facility in his town. An avid film buff, Alex is working his way through the AFI’s top 100 movies and has seen 28 so far.

James is a rising senior in high school from Washington and is passionate about advocacy and education. He is particularly focused on improving educational systems to expand access and ensure all students receive a well-rounded education. Over the past two years, he has contributed to MUV WA, first on the research and social media team, then as part of the steering committee. He also serves as the co-president of his school’s Education Coalition for Asian American Representation (ECAAR) where he helps raise awareness of issues affecting the AA&NH/PI community. James looks forward to continuing his work with MUV at the national level to support high-quality instruction and inclusive learning.

Cynthia is a student at Yale with interests in art, creative writing, and ethnic studies. Her artwork and writing is inspired by her family's immigration story as well as by her experiences growing up in their Chinese restaurant in New York. At Yale, she is involved in the Asian American Cultural Center's Leadership program and designs for Changing Womxn Collective. She enjoys writing and performing poetry with her spoken word group Jook Songs and ballroom dancing.

Mimi, the life model and martial arts video reference for Disney’s animated classic, Mulan (1998), is one of the world's foremost martial arts instructors and performers. She is passionate about the preservation of Chinese culture through her work at the Wah Lum Kung Fu Temple. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she is an advocate for helping others find their voice. Mimi is also the host of The Sifu Mimi Chan Show Podcast which explores a variety of topics through inspiring and thought-provoking conversations.

Angelie Chong is an attorney and parent of two teenage boys. She has been practicing labor law for over 20 years in the Seattle area. Born in Seoul, Korea, Angelie and her family immigrated to Hawaii when she was three years old. She is a graduate of Brown University and the University of Washington School of Law. During law school, Angelie was co-President of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association and President of the National Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. Angelie has served on the boards of the Asian Bar Association of Washington, Korean American Bar Association of Washington, Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) and Korean American Coalition of Washington (KAC-WA). She is past Board President of ACRS and KAC-WA. Angelie hopes that through the work of MUV WA, her boys and students across Washington state, can soon learn about the histories and stories of Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Connie is a mother of two playful, curious, craft-loving Vietnamese/Korean American children. As the daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Connie has cherished memories of listening to her parents recount the heartwarming (and sometimes also heartbreaking) stories of her family’s history and migration story. Connie received her doctorate in community psychology from Wichita State University. During her time at Wichita State University, she co-founded the Women’s Multicultural Leadership Alliance. She has also served as a youth mentor and board member for the Vietnamese American Community Service Center in Washington, D.C. She currently lives and works in Virginia as a research and evaluation capacity-building specialist, supporting human services programs across the country to effectively track and use data to better serve children, families, and the community as a whole.

Denise (Ji Hyun) is a parent of two, the founder of AAPI Montgomery County, and a community leader on the PTA and KAIFPA. She also serves on her district's DEI committee. As a 1.5-generation Korean American and coming from a large family of multicultural backgrounds, Denise resides in Huntingdon Valley where she has owned and operated an insurance agency for the past 8 years. Denise believes that everything in life worth having comes from hard work and dedication. She loves to travel, try different foods, and dreams of moving to New Zealand one day.

Kenneth is a member of his school district's diversity committee, a consultant for large public and private organizations around the world, and a start-up executive. He is a fourth-generation Chinese American with roots in the US going back to the beginning of the Chinese Exclusion era. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Kenneth worked in Asia for five years after college. He now lives in Chester County with his wife and three teenage boys. In his spare time, Kenneth enjoys learning to cook traditional Toisanese foods, researching his family's history in the US and China, and being an assistant BSA scoutmaster. He is a former swimmer and water polo player.

Christine is a mother to two fun-loving children in Queens, NY. As the child of immigrants from Taiwan who placed strong value on their cultural traditions, she grew up enjoying Chinese school, singing Jay Chou songs at the top of her lungs, and learning traditional Chinese dances. Christine taught in NYC public schools for 9 years and firmly believes in the power of education to build a better future.

Helen S. (Suh) Singson was born and raised in NY to Korean immigrant parents. Helen currently resides on Long Island with her husband and two fun loving children. As a Korean and Filipino American household, their family embraces and enjoys celebrating their cultural heritage and ancestry. Through her involvement with local AAPI community and student organizations (rooted in advocacy and community building) as a college student, she learned of both the struggles and impactful contributions of the AAPIs throughout American history. While this was an incredibly exciting time, Helen was disappointed that she had not learned of AAPI history much earlier on during her K-12 education.. She joined Make Us Visible because she believes education and the sharing of stories foster greater understanding and bridges communities together. Helen is a graduate of Fordham University and CUNY School of Law. She currently manages the global immigration program at a fin-tech company. In addition to Make Us Visible, she serves as the Co- Chair of a PTA Multicultural Festival, the first event of its kind at her children’s school.

Charles is a Co-Founder and Digital Communications Lead of Community Builders for Monterey County. He has worked toward digital inclusion and educational equity along with ending homelessness and supporting veterans. Charles has also freelanced as a local journalist. He holds an MPA from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies and is a proud UC Merced Bobcat. A second-generation Filipino American of mixed heritage, Charles loves reconnecting with his roots through music, food, and family stories. He’s lived in Singapore, traveled to the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand, and dreams of returning to Southeast Asia. Charles is also a coffee geek, urban design enthusiast, and audio nerd. 

Devin is a public policy student at the University of Delaware’s Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy & Administration. Devin’s parents immigrated from China to Delaware, where he was born and raised. An aspiring public servant, Devin looks forward to uplifting communities through research, advocacy, and policymaking. He is passionate about social justice and civil rights, as well as speechwriting and crafting narratives. In May 2023, Devin made history by working with Delaware state legislators to pass legislation recognizing Asian American Pacific Islander Month in the state for the first time. Devin also serves as Vice President of the Delaware Chinese American Association (DCAA), whose members include thousands of Chinese Americans residing in Delaware and its immediate vicinity. In his free time, he indulges in hot pot, basketball, tennis, and running.

Y.F. (楼云飞 he/him/his) is a 1.5 generation Chinese American who grew up in Lewes, Delaware.  He is currently a Johns Hopkins trained epidemiologist working in the Delaware Health Department improving health care quality through patient safety initiatives.  In May of 2023, Y.F. became the first Chinese American to be elected to a Delaware Board of Education (Christina School District).  He’s a volunteer firefighter/EMT in Newark, an active advocate for healthcare equity for Asian Americans, and serves on the special education council in his district.

Ina (Indriani) is an English teacher in an ELL (English Language Learning) classroom in Portland, Maine.  Born in Indonesia with Chinese ancestry, she was named Ko Ien Nio, before changing it to her current Indonesian name Indriani, which keeps her original 'Ien.'  Ina earned her first BA from a Teaching Institute in Semarang, Indonesia, and her second BA and first Master's degree from the University of Southern Maine (USM).  She studied English Literature and Teaching & Learning with a focus on Elementary Education and Teaching respectively.  An active member of her local labor union, Ina immigrated to Maine in 1974 and, at the age of 73, still teaches at the Elementary school level.  Ina currently lives with her adult daughter, who does all the housework, except for taking out the trash: that's Ina's job.  In her free time, Ina enjoys folding and building her modular origami stars, cooking, eating, and meeting new people.  Ina hopes through her advocacy that she can help make her Asian immigrant students in Portland more visible.

Shayne is a multimedia storyteller, digital strategist, and Murrow Award-winning journalist. Born in San Fernando City, La Union, Philippines and raised in Alaska, she is passionate about equitable representation of Filipino Americans, along with other Asian Americans and those historically underrepresented in media. As a journalist, she laid the groundwork for “Filipinos in Alaska,” a project by KTOO Public Media and America Amplified to illuminate stories of the Filipino experience across her home state. She is a co-founder of Mana, a media collective documenting the history of Filipinos in Alaska which launched on October 2023 with a museum exhibition, “Mana: The History We Inherit,” at the Anchorage Museum. Her work has been featured in local and national outlets, including KTVA 11 News, KTOO, Alaska Public Media, and PBS Digital Studios. Shayne lives in Anchorage with her spouse, two sons, and their Maltipoo. She enjoys the outdoors in the summer and frequent trips to coffee huts in the winter.

Kaye is a passionate educator and advocate for representation, firmly believing that every underrepresented child deserves to see themselves reflected in the curriculum, media, books, and professions around them. She understands that representation not only empowers individuals but also fosters cross-cultural understanding, educating communities and individuals about shared histories and the often-overlooked contributions of diverse groups. She believes that representation in the curriculum can help youth connect to their cultural identity and, through knowing their history, gain a deeper understanding of themselves. This connection builds confidence, enabling young people to take pride in their roots and share their culture with others without hesitation.

As a board member of the Filipino Community, Inc. in Juneau, Alaska, Kaye is dedicated to bridging generational and cultural gaps by creating programs that connect youth to traditional knowledge, arts, and dance. Through her efforts, Kaye hopes to preserve and celebrate Filipino heritage, ensuring its relevance and vitality for future generations while fostering inclusive spaces for growth and learning.

Astria was born and raised as a British Citizen in Hong Kong. With a B.A. in Vocational Education. Astria has a lifetime Community College teaching certificate from UCLA. Astria is a recipient of the Arizonans Who Care Award and the Scottsdale Unsung Hero Merit Award. She was a volunteer Mediator for the Arizona Attorney General Office Civil Rights Division. Astria is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese and applies her multilingual skills by serving as a court and medical interpreter to assist Asian immigrants in need of help. Currently, she is on the Chancellor’s Advisory Board of Maricopa Community Colleges and is the President of OCA-Greater Phoenix.

Steve is a fourth-generation Japanese American technology executive and father of three children. He is a member of Gold House and serves on the Board of Directors for the U.S.-Japan Council (Japan). After a decade working in Tokyo, Steve recently returned to America and resides in North Dallas. During WW2 his great-grandfather, Kenzo, was arrested by the FBI and imprisoned in North Dakota. Steve was moved by the petition of his 20-year-old grandfather, which stated that Kenzo was "willingly ready to sacrifice his two sons to fight as American soldiers and preserve the freedom of democracy." This discovery of patriotism amid prejudice inspired Steve to ensure that the hidden history of Asian Americans be taught as a visible part of American history.

Christine Currie is a passionate advocate for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, serving as the Program Coordinator for the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs. In this role, she works tirelessly to promote equity, inclusivity, and support for AAPI individuals and families throughout the state.

As a proud Filipino American, Christine draws on her own experiences to inform her advocacy, striving to create pathways for cultural understanding and community empowerment. Her dedication to her work is matched only by her commitment to her family, as she is a loving mother and wife who values the importance of nurturing the next generation.

Through her efforts, Christine aims to uplift AAPI voices, foster collaboration, and drive positive change within the community. With a strong belief in the power of community engagement, she inspires others to join in the journey toward a more equitable and inclusive South Carolina.

Bill is a historian of modern Japan and a seasoned higher education administrator. He grew up in one of the two Japanese American families in a small college town in central Texas. He now considers Kansas home, having spent 17 years on the faculty of the University of Kansas and serving as chancellor of Ottawa University since 2021. Educated at Harvard, Oxford, and Princeton, Bill’s teaching and research focus on Japanese business, environmental history, and the Godzilla movies (which he has loved for more than 50 years). Deeply committed to Kansas, US-Japan relations, and the Japanese American community, he has served on the boards of the Kansas State Historical Society, the Kansas Humanities Council, the Association for Asian Studies, the Japan-US Friendship Commission, and the US-Japan Council.

Xuan (Anson) is a student at UNC-Chapel Hill majoring in Asian Studies. Xuan immigrated to the United States at the age of 8, not knowing how to speak English, and became a US citizen at the age of 20. He has seen the hardships of Asian Americans first hand as he has helped his family manage their family business since the age of 11. In his leisure time, Xuan enjoys studying Asian history and practicing Chinese calligraphy. During his time in college, he became an International Leadership Foundation Civic Fellow,interned at the Hudson Institute with Secretary Elaine Chao, and interned at the office of US Senator Thom Tillis (NC).

Alex (he/him) is a senior at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. At Wake, he's a Sociology major, a Presidential Scholar with the debate team, a Richter Scholar studying the history of prisons and law in the Philippines, the Co-founder and Treasurer of the Southeast Asian Students Association, and Vice President of the Asian Students Interest Association. Born and raised in Overland Park, KS as an Indian- and Filipino-American, he has always been passionate about community-building and story-telling. In his free time, Alex explores sports journalism and history.

YooNieh is a second generation Korean-American born and raised in southern New Jersey. As a mother of a young multicultural daughter, she is passionate about raising awareness and promoting cross-cultural competency in early childhood education. Embracing diverse cultural practices creates an inclusive learning environment and can help to bridge gaps among students and educators from different backgrounds.

YooNieh is an experienced litigation attorney representing a wide range of clients from small business owners to senior executives on employment, estate planning, criminal defense and healthcare related matters. She is known as a skilled and trusted advisor in the legal community. She studied economics at Boston University, where she served as bilingual instructor of English and Korean languages. She then obtained her law degree from Delaware School of Law, where she served as the President of the Asian Pacific American Law Student American and began advocating for AAPI advancement initiatives in the Delaware Valley area. 

YooNieh enjoys bringing cultural activities to her communities as it helps foster inclusivity and unity. She currently resides in Atlantic County with her husband and energetic daughter. She enjoys playing tennis, hiking, snowboarding, traveling and seeking new adventures with her family.

Ethelyn Tumalad-Granados is an educator, sister, mother, daughter, wife, Tita, mentor, activist, first-generation immigrant, and unapologetic Pinay leader. Her family and ancestors come from Bataan, Philippines and currently, she, her husband, and daughter reside in Beaverton, Oregon. She is an English teacher at Clackamas High School along with being the advisor for the Asian Pacific Islander Student Union. She is the Oregon Teacher of the Year for 2022. In 2023, she co-founded (Re)Present: Asian American Pacific Islander Oregon Educator Collective, a state-wide affinity group and coalition for Oregon AAPI educators. Her vision for the future is that her Mexipino daughter sees her multi-ethnic identity and culture celebrated in her teachers and curriculum throughout her K-12 public education.

Andrew is a Vietnamese-Chinese American born and raised in Oregon. He is a Community Manager and youth advocate in the Portland Metro area. He has 2 degrees in Business Administration Human Resources and Business Administration Management and Leadership. Andrew has 11 years of Management experience and has focused on growing and building the next generation of leaders. Andrew enjoys cooking and exploring new places as well as working with high school youth and getting them more involved in the community.

Anuj (he/him) is a freshman at New York University, originally from Boston, MA. Although he was born in Boston, he lived in Bangalore for three years when he was 7. His parents immigrated from West Bengal and Assam right after their education, where Anuj spent most of his summers playing cricket and eating pani puri. He is passionate about the intersection between human biology and ethics and learning the history of many different cultures. He enjoys playing volleyball, playing card games with his friends, and going to the gym.

Yining is a theatre administrator and educator based in Cleveland and North Canton, Ohio. She works for Cleveland Play House as the Manager of Partnerships and organizes programming for over students in Cleveland. She also works with playwrights all over the country for CPH’s Family Theatre program, which creates new plays for children and their families based on Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES). Yining is also a mom to two young boys and two very large Newfoundland dogs who dominate her world. She is a Chinese theatre scholar who specializes in Traditional Chinese and AAPI Theatre. She has also worked all over the country as a freelance dramaturg, specializing in AAPI Theatre. In her spare time, she loves sewing, reading, hanging out with her boys (ask her anything about Paw Patrol), and exploring the wonders of NE Ohio.

Tina Tran is the founder of APIDA Tulsa and an advocate of Asian, Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian and Desi American equity and representation. She is passionate about empowering women, minorities, and underrepresented individuals in business and entrepreneurship. As a DEI practitioner and an active volunteer in her community, she has worked to organize community events and create equitable spaces to facilitate meaningful dialogue and strengthen the community. She is also part of the committee that established the first Asian American Affairs Commission in Tulsa. In addition to enjoying sea salt lattes, Tina loves to travel and explore new places, especially the Amalfi coast in Italy.

Chloe is a high school student from Maryland. Due to her experiences growing up Asian American in a small rural town, she is familiar with the ignorance that a lack of exposure to diverse narratives can cause. Since then, she has been passionate about educating others about her Korean heritage and identity. In addition to Asian American representation, Chloe is passionate about cultural exchange and has studied abroad in Taiwan with the US State Department. She is also involved with Amnesty International USA and the Los Angeles Times. In her free time, she enjoys writing, learning foreign languages, and watching movies.

Heatherly earned a bachelor's degree from the University of California, San Diego, and a Master's in Intercultural Relations from the University of the Pacific. Following her studies, she dedicated two years to service as an AmeriCorps volunteer. She then worked as a grant writer for the Department of Education and multiple nonprofits, supporting cultural and educational programs for Micronesian English Learner children and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in Hawai‘i. Her work with the Micronesian  migrant community ignited her passion for immigration law. 

Another move propelled her family to yet another transpacific migration—this time to Idaho—where she had never previously set foot. One glistening Idahoan spring morning, feeling she had more to give, she decided to take the LSAT. Four months later, she was accepted into the University of Idaho College of Law where she became president of the Asian Pacific American Law Student Association (APALSA), an organization that amplifies AAPI voices through cultural engagement, advocacy on sociopolitical and legal issues, community service, and a commitment to responsible legal stewardship.

Heatherly is blissfully married with two children. She finds joy in reading poetry, eating with wooden chopsticks, motorcycle trail riding, Tango dancing, and traveling. She is excitedly looking forward to effecting change in Idaho to benefit the AAPI Community!

Michelle is a community advocate serving Arkansas’s Marshallese population, with a focus on uplifting Pacific Islander voices and advancing shared values around family, health, and opportunity. She helped coordinate a 2023 visit to Capitol Hill to advocate for the Compact Impact Fairness Act (CIFA) and supported bipartisan efforts to restore Medicaid access for COFA (Compact of Free Association) citizens in 2020. Michelle has also contributed to efforts that improve child welfare policies and prevent human trafficking across the state. Inspired by the strength of Marshallese families, especially women, Michelle believes in the power of community to create lasting, positive change.