I identify as a Korean- and Asian-American, able-bodied, gender-conforming cis-female child of immigrants with heterosexual privilege. As a woman of color, I’ve always felt a pull to defy stereotypes about my identities. I still sometimes catch myself investing extra effort into being eloquently outspoken, a “strong leader,” extra social, or hell, even a perfect driver.

I push back against the trope that I’m part of a model minority that doesn’t experience racism. It’s sometimes hard to tell if what I’m doing is for myself or others. Coping with these margins has helped me to find my power in choice and self-grace and to intentionally respond to the calling I’ve always felt to help make my worlds fairer and more inclusive. This includes acknowledging when I’ve engaged in oppressive behaviors and not seen my own privilege. To help me live this purpose, I’m forever on a journey of deep self-reflection and constant knowledge gathering, vulnerably sharing this journey with others to support them on theirs.

Being bicultural, I’ve learned to embrace duality with compassion, humility, nuance, and sometimes uncomfortable curiosity, and how empathy is a superpower to connect across difference. And in honoring multiple experiences, I can collaboratively improve systems to be more inclusive and equitable.

I am also a clinical psychologist, so I integrate the human discomfort, pain, and joy of connection inherent to DEIB work into my practice.

I also love taking walks with my little family in my diverse community in Oakland, CA, unceded Ohlone land, where we still greet our neighbors.