When I started getting serious about my career, I found it difficult to find against-the-grain, interesting Asian-American (or American-Asian as I like to say) mentors/role models. Not to overlook all the incredible members of the community who are pushing the minority-empowering agenda, but I just didn’t find all the high-powered attorneys, doctors, politicians, and suit-wearing execs particularly relatable to my passion for a lifelong career in nonprofit arts.

So as a SoCal native (and always-at-heart Angeleno), it has been a breath of fresh air to witness Roy Choi shake things up in the LA food scene and continue to create an indelible mark in the global culinary, cultural landscape. The conviction and authenticity in his work that you see in this NOWNESS piece is what moves me. And that he acknowledges that your upbringing can make you fear risks, especially in the context of parental sacrifices, is absolutely relatable and continually inspiring.

Thanks, Roy.