My name is Amy “Emiko” Hever, a 3^rd – 4^th generation HAPA. This photo was taken during my 5^th grade class trip to the Mt. Fuji area.  It was during my middle school years that I attended the International School of the Sacred Heart in Tokyo, Japan.  I was a minority at ISSH.  One of a handful of Americans attending a school made of students from literally every reach of the world.

These were formative years in my life, where lessons socially and academically in cross-cultural understanding were instilled upon you every day.   When I think of the mission of APAP, and the important stories we want to tell, I draw much inspiration from my years abroad, and certainly from the memories and experiences behind photos such as this

My name is Emily Vallerga, and as I’m sure you have guessed, I am not of Asian heritage. With a name like Vallerga you probably think Spanish, but in reality I am of Italian heritage. Because I have such a deep affinity for my personal heritage, I have profound respect for those who also cherish their heritage. Therfore, I am ecstactic to be working with and learning from the Asian Pacific American Program. Not to mention, I have discovered a deep love for Indian food.  The curries,spices, and colors of which have inspired me to broaden my taste buds, expand my spice cupboard, and covet Indian cook books.  Speaking of food, this is a photo of my Nona and me cooking Ravioli for a family meal.

My name is Marie Antonette Ramos. This is a photo of me at tattoo shop located in Waipahu, Hawaii (the city where I grew up in after migrating from Baguio, Philippines with my family). I had “Amin ay ipugao wada di istorya na” tatted on my inner forearm, which means “Everybody has a story”. It’s in my mom’s native tongue –Kankanaey. As a Filipino American poet, I wear it proudly to remind myself and others that our stories DO matter. On that note, I am very honored and humbled to be an intern at the Asian Pacific American Program this Fall.

My name is Aaron Sayama.

My name is Josie Suh.

My name is Salim Mawani and this is a photo of me growing up. I am humbled to live in a country such as the United States of America and work at a world-renowned organization such as the Smithsonian Institution. Both are unique in their own special way as they proudly enable individuals to maintain their native heritage, while assimilating with the community around them. With grandparents from India and Pakistan that moved to Africa, and parents that escaped the brutal political unrest in Uganda, my family migrated to the USA when I was only eight years old. I am proud of my Asian heritage with commitment to family, respect to others, and unbridled devotion to spiritual faith.

My name is Mitch Toda.  And this is a picture of my family at the Honolulu Airport on our first trip home to Hawaii after having moved to California.  I am the small kid in front with all of the leis around my neck.  I remember receiving leis whenever I went home to Hawaii each year.  As always there would be more than one; there were your flower leis, but my favorites were the candy and money leis.  As I grew up I would get leis less often, but when I did it was always for significant moments in my life: high school graduation, college graduation, and on my wedding day.

My name is Alan Chu.  This is a photo of me and my father with several relatives that I met for the first time in China.  We are all sitting on the gravesite of my great-grandfather set on a hillside in the rural outskirts of Guangzhou after paying our traditional respects.  The trip was memorable for many reasons, but this picture was a special memory of the visit.  Although I only could speak a few words of Chinese and my newly acquainted relatives could only speak a few words of English, we somehow managed to communicate as though we had known each other for a life-time.

My name is Cindy; my middle name is Yukiko.  I was very lucky to have been born in Japan and lived there for a couple years before returning to the States.  I’m so happy to be as close to my Japanese relatives as well as my American relatives.  Pictured here are me (left), my sister (middle), and friend (right) when we attended one of the many fun festivals.

My name is Wendy Lim. Pioneer artists Charlie Chin, Wayne Wang, and others showed me how the arts can poignantly tell our stories. They inspired me to advance APA arts, like investing in an APA recording company. It folded but I still have the first record, Back to Back, featuring Chris Iijima and Charlie Chin. At the Smithsonian, I’ve actively participated in the APAHC to plan and present such notable artists as the hip-hop group Mountain Brothers, filmmaker Robert Nakamura, author Evelina Galang, comedian Phil Nee, percussionist Anthony Brown, jazz pianist Sumi Tanooka, and dancers Mahina and the Polynesians. 

My name is Joy Liu.

My name is Raiza Osi.

My name is Cedric Yeh. This is a photo of me at the tender age of 1. Cute right? Me, not the pig. My folks had a Chinese restaurant and were celebrating Chinese New Year. For a long time it was just a baby picture. I liked it. Little did I know 40 years later I would be breaking it down for insight in to the stories of new immigrants, entrepreneurialism, and cultural exchange.  Or that I would be working on exhibitions and collections about Chinese food in America. I still like the paper cocktail umbrellas.   

My name is Easten Law and I am proud to be a Chinese-American.  This is a video I made as a submission for the APIA White House Initiative Video Essay Project. Through teaching and service in both the United States and China, I have formed a passion for intercultural dialogue and a keen awareness of the importance of cultural identity.  As an educator and advocate, my goal is to train up others to become aware of their own cultural heritage in order to be authentically engaged in the heritage of others.