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The AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant Storytelling Portrait Project: My Story showcases the unique background and experiences of Bryant's AAPI community through portrait photography and personal narratives, providing students, faculty, and staff a platform to share their journeys, culture heritage, and perspectives.

It is designed to foster belonging, understanding, connection, and appreciation of cultural heritage.

Portraits are by Kannetha Brown - @kannetha.brown

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project – My Story

Rebecca Baccam, Academic Advisor and Veteran Specialist, Undergraduate Advising

Being Asian-American has profoundly shaped my identity, but it wasn’t always something I embraced. Growing up, I often felt ashamed or hesitant to share that I was Laotian and Thai. When people asked about my background, I would simply say I was Asian—but quickly clarify that I wasn’t Chinese, as if distancing myself would make it easier to fit in. My culture felt unfamiliar to those around me, and I internalized the idea that it was easier to blend in than to explain who I truly was. Over time, as Southeast Asian cultures have become more recognized in my community, I’ve grown more comfortable speaking about my ethnicity. I now take pride in sharing my heritage, knowing that representation matters. I am proud to be a first-generation Southeast Asian-American woman working in higher education—a field where people who look like me are still underrepresented. My journey has taught me that visibility is powerful. By embracing my identity, I hope to inspire students to do the same, especially those who may have once felt the same shame and uncertainty I did. My culture is not something to hide—it is a strength that I carry with me every day.

This storytelling project has deepened my understanding of my cultural identity by allowing me to reflect on the significance of my heritage in ways I hadn’t before. Sharing my story made me realize how much of my upbringing was shaped by the resilience and sacrifices of my family as immigrants and refugees. It also reinforced how cultural traditions, such as clothing, food, and language, are powerful symbols of identity that connect me to a larger

Southeast Asian community. Reflecting on my story has changed how I see my heritage by helping me embrace it with more confidence and pride. In the past, I hesitated to share my background, often simplifying my identity to avoid explaining it. However, this process has shown me that my identity is something to celebrate, not hide. I now see my heritage as a strength—one that shapes my values, my work, and my sense of belonging. This experience also uncovered new aspects of my background that I hadn’t fully appreciated before. I gained a deeper understanding of how textiles and vibrant colors in clothing play a role in storytelling within my culture, symbolizing history, resilience, and shared experiences across different Asian communities. Moving forward, I want to continue exploring and honoring my cultural roots in both my personal and professional life.

A group of six people, two men and four women against a white backdrop. Two women are seated in the front. Two men are standing behind the seated women. One woman is standing to the left of one standing man and one seated woman. One wooman is standing to the right of one standing man and one seated woman.

International Opportunity

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project – My Story

Carma Copeland, Class of 2027

As an adopted Asian American, I am proud of my Asian heritage while still being able to call myself an American. My family, especially my mom, encourages me to embrace my Taiwanese culture, whether by incorporating Taiwanese traditions or hanging a Taiwanese flag in my room. While I do not know much about my cultural heritage, it has shaped my identity because I embrace myself. Since I grew up in the U.S., fortunately, I have not faced many challenges as an AAPI. My most significant challenge was finding a community of other AAPI individuals. I have connected with a community in college and learned their stories, for which I will forever be grateful.

This project has been so important to me. It has allowed me to connect with other Asian Americans who are just as proud of their cultural identity as I am. I could hear other people’s stories about who they are and how they may have struggled. Being able to come together as a community to show how proud we are of our cultural heritage and those similar to us. It also showed how impactful a message can be when you come together as a community to convey the message. I want to send an impactful message to all Asian Americans that they are not alone, and this project has been an essential step in the right direction.

Two women of Japanese descent standing against a white backdrop. The woman on the left is wearing a pink kimono with white blossoms and a black obi with white and coral flowers and a green fabric tie. The woman on the right is wearing a cream colored wrap dress with a fabric tie at the waist and green and coral decoration on the dress.

Japanese Heritage

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project – My StoryAAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project – My Story

Jessica Dang, Senior Assistant Director, Alumni Engagement, Alumni Relations

My parents came to the U.S. from China with little but hope and resilience. As the eldest daughter of three, I witnessed their sacrifices firsthand—their strength, tireless work ethic, and unwavering belief in a better future. From helping my parents care for my younger brothers when they needed to work late to learning how to cook warm traditional meals at 12, I grew up carrying responsibility and pride, learning to honor the culture that shaped me.

Yet, outside our home, I often felt like I lived in between—too Chinese in some spaces, too American in others. In a community where few shared my experience, I questioned who I was and where I belonged. For years, I tried to mold myself into what others wanted me to be.

It wasn't until the last few years, starting when I joined the AAPI Affinity group, that I found a space where I felt seen. I realized I wasn't alone—that embracing multiple identities is not something to hide but something to celebrate. Today, I proudly carry both parts of myself. I am Chinese, I am American, and I am enough as I am. My journey has taught me that identity isn't about choosing—it's about honoring every piece of who you are.

This storytelling project helped me better understand cultural identity by showing me how others express and embrace their own. From the traditional clothing they wore to the personal stories they shared, I was inspired to reflect on my own background and experiences. It reminded me that identity is not one-dimensional and that there's value in learning from and celebrating our differences. As someone who identifies as both Chinese and American, I've grown more confident in honoring both parts of who I am. At the same time, this project made me realize how much more I want to explore my Chinese heritage. I've started to feel a growing curiosity and a desire to connect more deeply with my cultural roots—through language, traditions, and experiences I've yet to fully discover. In the near future, I plan to travel to other parts of China to continue learning about the culture that has shaped me into who I am today.

A group of seven people, three men and four women against a white backdrop. All of the people are wearing traditional clothing of Asian countries.

Traditional Attire #1

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project – My Story

Angela Hickman, International Student Integration Coordinator, Office of International Students and Scholars and the Intercultural Center

I grew up in Hawaii, where there is an Asian American and Pacific Islander American majority and many people of Japanese or mixed-Japanese descent. Japanese culture is an important facet Hawaii culture. Moving to the mainland really helped me to examine my heritage more and treasure it.

My maternal grandfather’s family moved from Hiroshima to work in the plantations of Oahu, Hawaii. My maternal grandmother’s side also moved from Hiroshima but settled in Los Angeles, California. My grandparents were both born in the US and met and married in California. Early in their marriage, they were interned during World War II in Heart Mountain, Wyoming where my mother was born.

My cultural heritage has shaped my career path, first as a writer and with the populations that I have served throughout my career. It has taught me there is so much beyond surface American culture and has made me curious about other people: What they value, how they express themselves, how they celebrate, what they eat. It is infused into every aspect of my life.

Participating in this project was rewarding, as we gave faculty, staff and students a space to explore our own cultures and each other’s. We came together in the Interfaith Center, in shots perfectly composed by Cambodian American photographer Kannetha Brown. Some of us wore traditional clothing. My dress was a kimono that was given a new life by a Tokyo designer. It felt appropriate, bringing together traditional and new, Japanese fabric and print with a more Western interpretation.

A group of five people, one man and four women, against a white backdrop. All of the people are wearing traditional clothing of Asian countries.

Traditional Attire #2

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project - My Story

Alaiza Irani, Class of 2024, MBA Candidate, Class of 2025

Growing up in India, I was raised in a close-knit family that deeply valued education, resilience, and humility. My cultural heritage instilled in me a strong sense of community and respect for tradition, while also encouraging curiosity and ambition. Moving to the U.S. for studies was both exciting and overwhelming—I was stepping into a new world thousands of miles away from everything familiar. As an AAPI individual, navigating life in a predominantly different culture came with challenges. But these experiences also helped me develop a stronger sense of self. I learned to speak up, find my voice, and build bridges across cultural boundaries. Over time, I found a supportive network of friends and mentors who helped me feel at home. One of my proudest moments was being able to step into roles that allowed me to support others and be able to showcase my culture in various ways such as celebrating festivals and showcasing traditional performances and clothing. It reminded me of how far I had come—from a nervous international student to a confident leader on campus. My journey

has been one of growth, discovery, and quiet strength, and I carry my heritage with pride wherever I go.

Participating in the AAPI Storytelling Portrait for AAPI Month was a deeply meaningful experience that allowed me to reconnect with my Indian heritage in a powerful way. Dressing up in traditional Indian attire reminded me of home—of celebrations, family gatherings, and the pride we take in our vibrant culture. It was more than just wearing an outfit; it was a visual representation of where I come from and the generations that came before me. Reflecting on my story made me realize how much of my identity I carry with me every day, even if it’s not always visible. In the process of writing and sharing, I gained a new appreciation for my cultural background—not just as something to be proud of, but as a source of strength and resilience. This project reminded me that sharing our stories helps preserve our heritage and also creates space for others to feel seen. It deepened my pride in being Indian and showed me the beauty of embracing and expressing who we truly are.

A group of six people with Chinese roots, two men and four women, sitting or kneeling against a white backdrop.

Chinese Roots

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project - My Story

Suhong Li, Chair, Information Systems and Analytics Department

I grew up in a small village in the southwest of China, where community and tradition were central to daily life. My journey took me to Tianjin, a vibrant northern coastal city, where I pursued a master’s degree, and eventually to the United States, where I earned a Ph.D. Despite the distance, my cultural heritage has remained at the heart of who I am. Chinese values—respect for family, education, and perseverance—continue to guide me in my personal and professional life.

Raising my children in the U.S., I have been intentional about passing on these cultural roots. We speak Chinese at home, eat Chinese food, and celebrate traditional Chinese holidays. These practices help preserve a sense of identity and connection to our heritage. One of the greatest challenges I faced was learning to navigate between cultures—adjusting to American food, social norms, and communication styles, while holding onto the values I grew up with.

Participating in this storytelling project has been a meaningful experience. Wearing traditional Chinese clothing and capturing those moments through photography reminded me of the beauty and richness of my heritage—elements I sometimes take for granted in day-to-day life. It offered a powerful visual and emotional connection to my roots, allowing me to reflect on where I came from and how far I’ve come. Interacting with others from the AAPI community helped me realize both the uniqueness and commonality of our stories. Hearing their experiences and sharing my own opened up a space for empathy, pride, and community. It deepened my understanding of my own cultural identity—not as something fixed, but as something living, evolving, and strengthened through connection.

A man of Indian descent is seated in a chair with two men of Indian descent standing behind him. A woman of Indian descent in a yellow outfit is standing to the right of the seated and standing men.

India

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project - My Story

Christy Mak, Class of 2025

Even though I have yet to visit Cambodia, my parents’ homeland, Khmer culture is still present in my daily life. Since I was a kid, my parents regularly spoke Khmer with me, fearing that I otherwise would not understand their mother tongue. Amidst chores, they played classic Khmer songs from their younger years or allowed Asian dramas dubbed in Khmer to run in the background. I remember my dad going to the local corner store to buy the DVD’s, letting me pick and prod among the covers and choose what drama I thought best. I would not say I have the same lived experience as someone born and raised in Cambodia; I lived in the U.S. my whole life after all. However, I consider myself Khmer-American, and when I think of the word Khmer, I associate it with home, safety, and my first community⸺that being family and the broader Khmer community here. My parents, like others, moved to the U.S. for opportunities and a new start. Yet, they retain ties to their former home through the language and food shared with loved ones, creating a new home for themselves and the people around them.

I was asked to participate in the photo shoot, and of course was glad to help. Yet, I had a small issue where I did not own any traditional clothing, and my family did not have any either that I could wear. I did not think much of it, content with wearing the Krama, a sturdy scarf worn in multiple ways, atop the usual outfit. Sure, the scarf might be a small piece, but it was still a tangible tie I have to Cambodia. Then, I came to the shoot, saw everyone else, and thought: “Oh crud. I am totally underdressed.” Everyone looked great, and it was cool to see the various cultures Bryant students, faculty, and staff were from. In fact, it was the first time I had seen many people in cultural clothing in person. That said, this whole experience led me to explore other areas of my cultural identity. I do not think I am any less Khmer with the gaping hole in my closet that is traditional clothing. Yet, I am more curious about what constitutes traditional clothing in Cambodia and where to buy larger, full sets here.

Three women against a white backdrop. Two women are in the front and one woman is behind the two women. The woman on the left is wearing a traditional Indian outfit in yellow. The woman on the right is wearing an orange top. The woman behind them is wearing an orange and white top with large round earrings and a large round ring.

Students

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project - My Story

Nicholas Ong, Former Employee

I am Khmer-American. My parents were born in Cambodia and identify as a part of the Khmer ethnic group, the majority in Cambodia. We speak Khmer, eat Khmer food, and can tell when someone else in the world is Khmer. I can be in a completely different part of the

U.S., and as long as I hear the slightly nasal, unique tongue of Khmer, I am able to identify myself with complete strangers; feeling connected with my surroundings. I am Khmer-American, and a child of refugees. In fact, the reason why I am here writing this message is because of the tremendous effort put forth by those before me. I’ve always appreciated about my community is that we are able to quietly understand that somewhere in our individual histories, our loved ones before us fought tirelessly to make sure that we could exist today. I loved helping organize this project. During my time at Bryant, something I needed most was engaging with others that identified with the greater AAPI community. This project showed me how resilient our community is, showing me that despite being few and far between, we are able to come together just to sit down for an hour and have valuable conversations together. For me, having a place to sit down and eat food with familiar faces was enough to deepen my appreciation for my own identity and other identities in these spaces. Something I will always look back to in my professional career is having the chance to help organize this project, where AAPI students, faculty, and staff could feel beautiful in their own skin.

A man and a woman of Hmong descent against a white backdrop. The woman is seated on a bench and the man is standing behind her with his hand on her shoulder. The man and woman are wearing traditional clothing of the Hmong.

Hmong

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project - My Story

Kaoru Paganelli, Associate Director, Office of International Students and Scholars, AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant Co-chair

I started my journey as a high school international exchange student from Japan. Having lived in the U.S. for more than half of my life, I had always felt awkward being identified as Asian American. Perhaps it’s because I have never had lived experiences of growing up in America with immigrant parents from Japan. I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be an AAPI individual in the U.S.

Over the years, I found myself navigating a space between two cultures – too “Americanized” for Japan, yet not entirely fitting the Asian American narrative. This in-between identity often left me feeling disconnected, as if I didn’t truly belong to either world. It was not until I engaged in conversations with others in the AAPI community that I realized I wasn't alone in this experience.

The AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant Storytelling Portrait Project became an opportunity for me to reflect on my journey and connect with others who have walked similar paths. Hearing different perspectives on AAPI individuals helped me recognize that being Asian American isn’t defined by a single experience – it is a broad spectrum shaped by history, culture, and

personal narratives. Through this project, I hope others can see their own stories reflected, fostering a deeper understanding of what it means to belong.

Wearing a kimono adorned with 桜 sakura (cherry blossoms) symbolizes my deep pride and appreciation for my Japanese heritage.

A group of seven people, two men and five women, against a white backdrop. Two women are seated on chairs in the center. One woman is seated on the ground next to the woman in the left chair. One woman is seated on the ground with her head resting on her bicep which is on the seated woman's leg. Two men are standing behind the women seated on chairs. One woman is standing to the left of the two men.

Born in the USA

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project - My Story

Teddy Woods, Class of 2026

What comes to mind when you read the word deracinated? It means to make someone or something lose their connection to any particular place, background, or way of life. At such a young age, I experienced life’s uncertainty, transitioning as a foreign from another country, which to this day I have no recollection of my native country besides my skin tone. I have moved from various locations across small rural towns in New Hampshire, adjusting from school to school. As a kid growing up in an orphanage until the age of five, in the city of Anyang in the Henan province, I have no memory of my time there besides paper documents and numerous amnesia-filled photos with questionable thoughts. Adjusting to a new environment has never been a problem for me since I was young. I have met new people, whose tastes and interests are so diverse, that I have experienced a new perspective on life. I am often told to be seen as an extroverted student and peer to others, always wanting to know more about people, but sometimes I have always felt empty. Like an outcast from society as another individual is a victim of American life. Neither culturally Chinese, nor traditionally Asian-American, nor appearing as a white American man, my grievances towards my cultural identity have always been the root of my insecurity about who I am. Having vicissitude circumstances has created serendipity blessings in my life. I am fortunate enough to attend University to learn more about myself and my career. AAPI has formulated an acceptance of all Asian-Americans, those with a myriad of their own stories and not just ones bundled up by systemic racism. Not by those who feed on the negativity that people continue to use as socially acceptable. For many years this self-loathing, of my own identity engraved my cultural identity, just for the benefit of social acceptance. I hope that maybe one day, through our experiences, we can create change. Although we may face a magnitude of triumphs and defeats, these new experiences have made my life fulfilling.

A group of four people, three women and one man seated against a white backdrop. One woman in red top with black pants and a red and white checked scarf is seated on the left. One man wearing all black clothes with an orange, green, and black plaid scarf is seated on the right. There is a woman on the left behind the woman and man in front and one woman on the right behind the seated man and woman.

Children of Refugees

AAPI Affinity Group @ Bryant: Storytelling Portrait Project - My Story

Mailee Kue, AVP, Office of Community and Belonging

I am Hmong—Hmong American. I came to the U.S. as a refugee from Laos with my parents when I was three years old, and we settled in Rhode Island. My father was among the many Hmong who fought alongside U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War. When American forces withdrew from the region, the Hmong were left vulnerable to retaliation by the new communist government. Like more than 100,000 others, my family fled in search of safety and a new beginning.

I have no memories of the countryside of Laos, no recollection of the home my parents left behind. My earliest memories begin in a refugee camp in Thailand, where my brother and I dared each other in a hot pepper eating contest and the sound of rain drumming against the metal roofs of our temporary shelter. My first memories of America were of metal, flesh-toned industrial furniture and thick, heavy, scratchy blankets—objects that were practical but irritating, providing little comfort to a three-year-old. As a child, I assumed this was just how things were in the new country. It wasn’t until I became an adult that I realized these items were donated by charities, meant to offer warmth and stability, but falling short of fulfilling that purpose.

Being a refugee has profoundly shaped my experience, especially in the absence of tangible connections to my past. Unlike others who can trace their history through family heirlooms, photographs, or artifacts, my journey across two oceans left little behind. The few remnants that survived now serve as fragile links to a homeland that exists largely in memory. I always dreaded the grade school activity where the teacher asked us to bring in a baby picture. I remember trying to explain why I didn’t have one despite not really understanding why I didn’t have one. After struggling to find the right words, I eventually gave up and just lied, saying I had simply forgotten to bring it in. It felt easier than trying to explain something I didn’t fully understand myself.

Though I never knew my birth country, Hmong traditions have remained a defining part of my identity, thanks to my parents’ unwavering commitment to preserving our culture in Rhode Island. In the 1980s, more than two thousand Hmong people settled in the state, leading to the establishment of a Hmong church and an annual Hmong New Year’s celebration—both of which still exist today. These cultural experiences, combined with my parents' influence, have shaped my identity as both Hmong and American—constantly balancing cultural expectations with my evolving sense of self, even when the two sometimes clash.

Being Hmong means belonging to an ethnic group with a deep history of resilience, a distinct language, and traditions that have endured across generations and continents. It has instilled in me a strong sense of family, community, and resilience. But being Hmong also carries the legacy of survival—finding hope in hardship and adapting to new realities while holding onto cultural roots.

Navigating my identity across generations has required both effort and reflection. I have worked to balance traditional values with modern life while ensuring that language and traditions endure for my children. My journey has been one of pride and adaptability, revealing the power of resilience and the beauty of cultural connection. In honoring where I come from and shaping where I am going, I join a larger narrative of Hmong people across the world—redefining what it means to hold onto their roots while creating new legacies.

The AAPI Storytelling Portrait Project has been a meaningful extension of this journey, allowing me to celebrate and share what it means to be Hmong while also fostering conversations about the vast diversity within the AAPI identity. Through this project, I have been able to talk about the unique experiences of the Hmong community and contribute to a broader understanding of what it truly means to be part of the AAPI experience—one that is rich, complex, and deeply rooted in resilience.

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