Knours Skin Care Blog

Knours is a Asian-American and woman-owned skincare company. I was invited to participate in an interview for their website blog to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month.

The interview/blog post is titled: “Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month with LA: Korean-American Adoptee, Educator, Traveler”

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The interview is posted in printed form on the blog and includes questions such as

1. Could you tell us about your adoption story and where you grew up? Have you always considered yourself to be Korean-American?

2. How have you explored your Korean culture?

3. Have you been able to connect with other adoptees?

4. What does being Korean-American mean to you?

5. Have there been times when you faced prejudice or felt like you didn’t belong because of your race?

6. Can you tell us about the kind of work you do and what led you to this path?

7. How do you hope to change the education system through this new kind of teaching and research? What do you hope teachers will be able to gain from this teaching method?

8. How do you hope AAPI youth now will view their culture and their identities as Asian-Americans?

9. What is one piece of advice you would give to your younger self in terms of navigating your identity?

10. Is there anything else you would like to share?

SOE Community (Still) Outspoken 2017

This past weekend I performed a personal story and a song at the School of Education's (Still) Outspoken Event. Thank you to everyone who offered support, encouragement, and validation for my experience and my story.

Outspoken is an exciting event held each year that showcases the perspectives and talents of SOE’s diverse community. It occurs during SOE’s Campus Visit Day in March. The event is sponsored by SOE’s student organization Becoming Educators of Tomorrow (BET). Outspoken originated four years ago when former BET co-chairs Alaina Neal and Natalie Davis were concerned that the typical panel discussion about diversity was not enough to capture the fullness of what it meant to be a part of the SOE community. They hoped a showcase event would help move SOE community members from talking about diversity to “doing diversity.” Outspoken is now a much anticipated and enjoyed event that helps build community and enrich dije-related awareness.

During Outspoken, students, staff, faculty members, and audience members convey their talents, critical reflections, and social commentary through performing short skits, singing, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, etc. Naomi Wilson, who co-organized the 2017 (Still)Outspoken showcase with fellow doctoral student Paulina Fraser, reflected on the event. She explained, “It allows space to speak your truth on whatever you feel, openly, about diversity, gender, sexuality, anything. It is meant to make you feel comfortable and confident.” Additionally, Outspoken provides a meaningful opportunity for SOE community members to gather in both an academic and social environment and see themselves reflected. Wilson elucidated that by saying, “This one event is a catalyst to make people feel comfortable and connect professors, advisors, and students as they speak their truth. It creates a network and community.” Indeed, Outspoken is a phenomenal event and we would like to recognize the 2017 performers, including students Kimberly Ransom, Asya Harrison, Christina Morton, Channing Matthews, Anna Shapiro, Jennifer Pollard, Charles Wilkes, Gabriel DellaVecchia, Paulina Fraser, Naomi Wilson and Nicolas Boileau; faculty members Pat King, Pat Herbst, Vilma Mesa, and Debi Khasnabis; and staff member Simona Goldin.

Click here to read the SOE dije publication Expansions.