better off as the majority or the minority?

From the transition of growing up in a predominantly Asian environment, to attending college and living outside of his bubble, Timothy To, for the first time, saw himself differently. He was a minority as an Asian American, rather than part of the Asian American majority in San Francisco’s Outer Mission and Excelsior districts. Most of his cross-cultural exchanges and conversations with those he met across the U.S. began with food, a common topic referenced when people would connect “Chinese” and “Asian” together. Working through these experiences, Tim has grown to understand the impact of his culture and the challenges he has faced as a first-generation Asian American.

the journey to self-trust

Many Asian Americans navigate the dueling realities of growing up with immigrant parents while living in American society. How are members of this vast community shaped by experiences that may be universal, but are ultimately specific to personal circumstance? How do they carve out their own identity within the two different cultures? What microaggressions do they face, and what lessons have they had to learn? Before arriving at her present day self, she grew up struggling to identify the difference between her parents’ values and the values presented to her in Western culture and media. Now, experiencing a unique manifestation from her journey of self-discovery, she recognizes the most important value of her identity is her own self-trust.

create your own space

Tyler is a hapa actor and film producer living in LA where he’s hustling to pursue his passion of bringing diversity to the main screen. Tyler also has his own film company, Kill the Pig Productions. And he is the 72 Hour Shootout coordinator for Asian American Film Lab, a nonprofit organization in New York devoted to the promotion and support of gender and ethnic parity in film, television and online entertainment media programming. Tyler’s story is about navigating an Asian mixed-race identity in the entertainment industry and working hard to go after what you’re passionate about.

too much, or not enough?

As a mixed-race Asian American, Nicole has spent her life being asked which culture she identifies with most. Is she more Black, or is she more Asian? It was not until becoming an adult that she realized there was no need to fit within any particular category. Nicole was born into a unique situation, with parents who are also mixed-race. Her father is Japanese American and African American, and her mother Korean American and African American. She believes both her parents’ stories are equal parts of her own identity, and that their experiences have taught her how to understand her place in the world. In some ways, she connects more with Asian American culture, but also desires to identify with her African American heritage. She has license to both, and nothing to prove. A proud Bay Area native, Nicole is an equally proud, all-in-one Japanese, Korean, and African American, and her story highlights the importance of embracing one’s holistic identity.

owning your identity

Ryan is Chinese and Black. He grew up in a predominantly Asian and white community. Ryan experienced people from his own community projecting Black stereotypes and not recognizing him fully as an Asian American. Today, Ryan shows up in every space owning his full identity and is empowered to speak out about how his multicultural roots have shaped him.

The More Than Asian team first discovered his Chinese mother's letter to her company about not making a colorblind statement in regards to Black Lives Matter on Nextshark. We then found his raw statement about having a Blasian identity and were compelled to reach out and amplify his message to our audience.

In addition to advocating for the Black and AAPI communities, his acting career includes features on Dear White People (Netflix) and For The People (ABC).

don’t box me in

Alvin Kuang: Asian American. But what does this mean? Alvin defines his Asian American identity as straddling the line between the strengths of both Eastern and Western cultures. However, finding a unique balance between two cultures presents unique difficulties. Growing up as a child of immigrants from China and Vietnam, Alvin developed his identity from a foundation of strong cultural roots, combined with the intersection of his cultural and sexual identity through a more Western lens and mindset. He continues to draw strength from his formative journey and the coexisting identities he proudly calls home.

it’s not all black and white

She has lived her life thinking there was only one way for an Asian American, or in her case an Asian American woman, to behave. Asian women are often expected to be quiet, obedient and submissive. This detrimental narrative negatively impacts the overall community and ecosystem. Since adulthood, she took the opportunity to question the role her race and gender plays in American culture and while reassessing her personal identity. She learned to unapologetically own being an Asian American woman, and all the weight it carries. 

Now, she advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at her workplace, all while fostering important conversation of how the intersectionality between being Asian and a woman is not always black and white.

the world through my creative lens

Having lived as a first generation multi-ethnic Asian American, Angelina recognizes the nuances of her own privilege. She has and has not, is and is not. She has grown up learning to recognize that self-actualization starts with acceptance. Each piece of her pulls together to create something beautiful. Because of what she has learned, both personally and through a deeper understanding of her Hmong and Korean historical roots, she has developed a profound sense of self. Angelina works to leverage her experiences and place in society so she can uplift others. Naturally, her culture and heritage deeply influence her art and art direction, and shape her goals as a creative. Now, she finds purpose through balancing her professional and creative endeavors with her cultural and personal identities.

sound on, speak up

Can Asian American artists serve a bigger role? Growing up, Rob Chen unpacked his Chinese American identity while being the oldest brother of three. However, perceptions about his ethnicity and masculinity from his parents, alongside a life changing Asian American Experience class, led Rob to consider what his life would be like as an actor, and how he could use his platform to strengthen the voices of others in his community. After performing a spoken word poem at an #AsiansforBlackLives march in NYC, Rob continues to focus on unifying people through art, as well as dreams of designing a better future for the next generation of community-driven Americans.

fill your own cup

Is it possible to make others happy while prioritizing your own joy? The Filipino culture deeply values having a positive outlook and making things work. For many Asian families, financial stability and family are paramount. Janae grew up in a religious Filipino household and wanted to live up to her parents' expectations of having a successful career in service of others. As she grew uninspired by jobs that were mom-approved and financially stable, she decided to carve her own path as a sustainable fashion stylist. Janae's natural artistic inclinations have allowed her spirit to flourish and bring positivity to her clients. Now that she tends to her own dreams, she's nurtured a foundation of personal empowerment that threads through her life decisions moving forward. 

we need unity now

In unity there is strength, a message that crosses over to each generation. Author Henry Chang has experienced the birth of Asian American unity and reflects on what he sees is improving, as well as what struggles lie ahead. Drawing from his upbringing of studying in college while coming home to the streets of Chinatown, Henry dispels the myths about Chinatown residents and Chinese gang culture in his books, seeking to reach a wider audience to contribute his voice to increasing more empathy for the Asian American community. After nearly seven decades of seeing countless changes in our country, Henry continues to use his platform in pursuit of a greater unity for the future of Asian America.