It’s Asian Heritage Month!

I’ve been super fortunate to grow up in two cultures - Japanese and American. I’m thankful for my great-grandpa for boarding a ship from Kobe, Japan to San Francisco, and for paving the way for our family. I’m also grateful for my brave grandparents, Chet and Alice, who spent time in the Japanese Internment camps and continue to share their stories of perseverance. These stories and the journey of my ancestors have molded me into who I am today.

This past year the media and news have given us too many reasons to be scared or embarrassed by our identities, but every culture is unique and is what makes us who we are! ✨

🔅Happy Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month!🔅

My Family

My Great-Grandparents (Ojichan and Obachan), Ryuzo and Yoshie Santo.

My Bachan (grandma), Alice Sumiko Santo, in San Jose, California 1949.

My Jichan (grandpa), Chet Tamotsu Santo, served in the Korean War after he and his family were released from the Japanese Internment camps.