Crystal WilliamsCommunity Relations Manager, Southern California Gas Company
Gene WhangHometown, Palos Verdes, CAAt first, I was reluctant to attend the NCLC, because I thought that the conference was for people who struggled with their Korean-American identity. Since over half of my friends are Korean and almost all those who aren’t are Asian, I never felt isolated or targeted due to my ethnicity. Because…
Sara TajanlangitHometown, Fountain Valley, CAWhen my family immigrated to a small suburb near Los Angeles County when I was 10, I began referring to Koreans as the “invisible Asians.” The only reason was that whenever someone saw my last name, they would most definitely ask me, “are you Chinese? No? Then Japanese?” and, “Korean? Wait,…
Joshua SuhHometown, La Crescenta, CAWhen my family immigrated to a small suburb near Los Angeles County when I was 10, I began referring to Koreans as the “invisible Asians.” The only reason was that whenever someone saw my last name, they would most definitely ask me, “are you Chinese? No? Then Japanese?” and, “Korean? Wait,…
Jonathan LeeHometown, La Crescenta, CANCLC was a unique and valuable opportunity for me that I will never forget. Especially in the past couple of years, I have struggled with my identity as a Korean American. My closest friends are not Korean and I also don’t have many Korean American friends. And between my extremely American…
Lawrence KimHometown, Glendale, CAThroughout my life, I have felt an ever-increasing distance between myself and my Korean American identity. While I was adequately acquainted with other Korean Americans during my middle school years, we ended up attending different high schools, severing my connections with them. My Asian identity further deteriorated when I attended a predominately…
Lindsey KangHometown, Tualatin, ORI am so thankful that I was able to attend NCLC this year. I went into the week having no idea what to expect. I was nervous about meeting new people and uncertain about whether I could learn anything from the speakers. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised by the whole…
Bo James HwangHometown, Los Angeles, CAAs a low-income and first-generation college student who grew up in a predominantly Latinx immigrant community, it was difficult for me to relate to other Korean Americans. I felt like issues pertaining to Asian Americans, let alone Korean Americans, were minor compared to other ethnic minorities. I felt unseen and…
Kate HurHometown, Ulaanbaatar, MongoliaWrapping up the National College Leadership Program, I found myself reflecting on what it means to be a successful Korean American. The first-generational pursuit of becoming successful through a reputable career was being challenged, evident in the diversity of the speakers’ occupations ranging from children’s book illustrator to a lawyer-turned-filmmaker. What the…
Guhn HurHometown, Pasadena, CASuccess has always been something that I have internally wrestled to define. As an Asian American and more specifically, Korean American, I had felt a constant pressure to excel in everything that I did and meet the expectations that had been set upon me by my parents and community. However, through my…