5 Questions with Prosekians in Honor of AAPI Heritage Month

In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, our colleagues answered five questions about where they grew up, their culture, their path to Prosek, and how to support the #AAPI community year-round. Here’s what they shared…

Ray Chang, Vice President, Account Management, Prophecy by Prosek – Los Angeles

1. Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? What would you like others to know about your upbringing, culture or heritage?

I was born and raised in Austin, TX in the 90’s and 2000’s, in a culturally hybrid environment – most of my friends, classmates, and neighbors were White, but my family was proudly Chinese-American and made sure to keep our heritage at the forefront. For instance, every summer break, from elementary to high school, we would visit my mother’s family in Chengdu, the capital of China’s Sichuan province. Every trip was a resounding reminder of the deep roots we had in China: we had a strong, cohesive, and very large family system that went far beyond the nuclear. I remember walking around the city and being engulfed in the humid, sub-tropical heat and the fiery, mouth-tingling málà flavors of the food on every corner. I would ask for directions in Americanized Mandarin, hoping I would be understood but accepting that I might not be. English was not an option here.

Living day to day in Austin though, I found myself trying to straddle American and Chinese culture. Every day, I was confronted with a series of existential questions, even if I wasn’t aware of it, and they stemmed from little decisions (i.e., what should I bring for school lunch today?) to more noticeable things (i.e., why don’t I look like my classmates?). At the time, I hadn’t seen any real-life expressions of how to be Chinese-American. If there was a precedent, I hadn’t been exposed to it. Those daily uncertainties I was confronted with were perhaps indicative of larger questions of what it means to be someone like me:

• What might someone who is confidently Chinese-American say, think, or do?
• What might they believe about themselves and about the two (or more) cultures they were raised in?
• How do they find complete belonging and confidence in both Chinese and American identities, or is there a third space that represents something beyond that?
• Where might they find understanding and comfort, whether in media, literature, influential figures, or communities?

These are questions that many people who grow up as the few in the midst of the many might ask themselves. I didn’t always have the tools or the knowledge to answer these questions for myself growing up, especially in my younger years. But this quintessential coming-of-age process was so necessary and fundamental to my current identity. It created my own, deeply personal understanding of who I am to myself and to others.

2. What brought you to Prosek?

I’ve always enjoyed being part of something greater than the sum of its parts. Prosek offered an opportunity to join a dynamic, growing team where I’d be able to have a voice, do interesting work, and be around the best-of-the-best talent. My team, Prophecy by Prosek, is tight-knit and mighty – I feel like we can do anything together. 

I also loved the emphasis on continuous learning and personal growth. Prosek’s resources for its people are truly unparalleled – so well-thought-out and intentional in providing value.

3. What are you best known for amongst friends and family, and what do you want to be known for at Prosek?

I’m known for being the person who’s got your back and will approach things fairly, empathetically, and with a fix-it mindset. I believe how we treat others matters and try to approach every interaction and relationship with care and understanding. But don’t mistake me for a softie – I won’t hesitate to get reeeeal real with you.

4. What’s a “fun fact” about you?

I’m three decades in and still have yet to officially learn how to swim. Doggy paddle will have to do for now.

5. What’s one thing you wish people would know, and/or one thing you recommend Prosekians engage with (i.e. one movie, one newsletter, one podcast, etc.), in observance of AAPI Heritage Month?

In recent years, there’s been a huge swell of Chinese-American and Asian-American representation and amplification in the U.S.’s media, pop culture, culinary scene, and general everyday life. Although it was something I had been craving all these years, I still am caught off guard by how validating it feels to see the flavors of my family’s hometown be sold on the shelves of national grocery stores (Fly By Jing). I feel a sense of pride when Asian-American authors – darling newcomers and seasoned writers alike (Exhalation by Ted Chiang) – receive widespread recognition and praise for telling stories in their voices, from their own unique lens through which people like me can feel their joy, pain, history, and outlook. I am grateful for the rise in Asian-American representation in TV shows and movies, where I can see my own lived experience playing out in front of millions of people (Everything Everywhere All at Once), and I understand that there must have been others who grew up like me.

Representation matters. It’s validating, life-affirming, and helps create a deeper understanding of one’s own culture, identity, and experiences. Representation provides us with the confidence to live in our own skin, rather than wishing we could be more like someone else. 

This month and every other month, please consider engaging with a piece of media that comes from someone who has a different perspective or background than yourself. Acceptance, understanding, and normalization starts with each of us – you and me.

Saher Kazi, Account Supervisor – San Jose, CA

1. Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? What would you like others to know about your upbringing, culture or heritage?

This makes my toes curl. Simply put, I’m an Indian from Mumbai. But, while I was born there, I grew up in Oman, a tiny country in the Middle East. BUT, I went to college in India, my first job was in India. Even though I grew up in the Middle East, I only identify with Indian culture, I went to an Indian school, I had Indian friends, I celebrated Indian festivals, watched Indian moves, and I ate Indian food. But when I moved to India? I wasn’t Indian enough. I was a non-resident Indian, I was an outsider. In time, I grew to love this about me. I can identify with Indians from any part of the world. I’ve seen both sides of the coin, and I couldn’t be prouder to be a South Asian woman! I mean, we have textiles, books, music, and food that have been passed down for centuries, and we all identify with each other on some level, even though we are one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world – we have over 100 languages, over 700 different tribes and every major religion in the world!

2. What brought you to Prosek?

It was a combination of two things! First, the ‘army of entrepreneurs’ mindset that we have at the firm was so evident as I was going through the interview process. This was a major green flag, I knew that I would always have a space to voice my ideas and work with teams who believe in ‘go-getting’ together. I am a huge team player, so this was crucial. The second was the focus on culture at the firm. I come from a big family, so community is everything to me. It was important to work somewhere where colleagues want to engage beyond work, and I could tell that I would get that here!

3. What are you best known for amongst friends and family, and what do you want to be known for at Prosek?

Staying calm and logical in highly stressful situations. I think this is something I pride myself on. I am a very logical person in my day-to-day life, but that’s not saying I don’t ever let my emotions get the better of me. If my friends, family, or coworkers are in any type of situation, my brain automatically switches into logical gear and I can almost always find the best, practical way out!

4. What’s a “fun fact” about you?

It’s super random. I have read each of the seven Harry Potter books seven times. I’m itching to go for an eighth, but I’m saving it to read along with my daughter (who is only 6 months old, ha!) so I can feel a sliver of what it’s like reading it the first time around.

PS: I do not support JK Rowling at all, but those books are my childhood, it’s very hard to let them go.

5. What’s one thing you wish people would know, and/or one thing you recommend Prosekians engage with (i.e. one movie, one newsletter, one podcast, etc.), in observance of AAPI Heritage Month?

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. In this beautifully written book, Roy questions cultural and social norms in India, set against the backdrop of fraternal twins who reunite after decades. An aspect I love about this book is how the author also weaves in the history of colonialism in our country and dives into the social caste system (it was abolished in the 1950s) that is in the fabric of our social being. In India, communities and individuals are still marginalized by this system even though it is illegal.

Also, Indian food is not just curry! There is SO much more to it. 😊

Christine Lee, Account Supervisor, Digital & Integrated Marketing – New York

1. Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? What would you like others to know about your upbringing, culture or heritage?

I was born in New York when my parents moved here from Korea to finish their dental specialty training at NYU. However, I grew up in Korea and spent most of my childhood there until I was 15. Both of my parents are Korean, and most of my family, including them, still live in Seoul! It’s surprising to realize that I’ve been in the States longer than I lived in Korea, but I feel incredibly fortunate to have been able to maintain my love for Korean culture and food.

2. What brought you to Prosek?

Coming from an in-house corporate communications team at a specialty insurance company previously, what attracted me to Prosek was its fast-growing Digital team (fun fact: I was the 16th person to join the Digital team!). It wasn’t just the team’s growth that drew me in, but also the people. I distinctly recall having an informal coffee chat with a senior leader at the firm, not expecting much, but both of us ended the call saying, ‘Wow, that was a great conversation!’ I couldn’t resist the opportunity to surround myself with great people and a group of digital folks who speak the same language.

3. What are you best known for amongst friends and family, and what do you want to be known for at Prosek?

Amongst my friends and family, I’m known for being bubbly and approachable. Since I was young, I’ve always aimed to be the person who brings a smile to everyone’s face. At Prosek, I want to keep that vibe going and be known for my reliability and my willingness to come to the team’s rescue with a can-do attitude.

4. What’s a “fun fact” about you?

I’m a Frenchie mom, and I LOVE running into other French bulldogs and seeing how they act around each other. If you have a Frenchie, come talk to me! I joke with my husband about creating a Frenchie-exclusive café.

5. What’s one thing you wish people would know, and/or one thing you recommend Prosekians engage with (i.e. one movie, one newsletter, one podcast, etc.), in observance of AAPI Heritage Month?

If you haven’t watched Physical 100, I highly recommend it. It’s perfect for getting you motivated to work out in preparation for the summer. This Korean show on Netflix shows the athletic side, breaking down stereotypical looks and physical fitness for Asians, which is what I appreciated most about it.

Anushka Singh, Senior Account Executive – London

1. Tell us about your background. Where did you grow up? What would you like others to know about your upbringing, culture or heritage?

I grew up in Mumbai (Bombay!), India, where I spent most of my life immersed in the hustle and bustle of the city. After high school, I moved to Boston to attend Boston University (BU) and worked in the city post-grad before relocating to London, where I’ve been based for the past two years.

2. What brought you to Prosek?

My career started at an agency specialising in crypto and tech, and I was soon looking to widen my net into the financial services space. Having studied at BU’s College of Communication, Prosek was a name I was familiar with from guest speakers across my classes. As I progressed through the interviews, I was immediately drawn to the company’s culture and the vast range of clients we work with. Starting out in Prosek’s Boston office and then transitioning to the London office, I’ve had the chance to cultivate my experience and learn on both sides of the pond.

3. What are you best known for amongst friends and family, and what do you want to be known for at Prosek?

Amongst my friends and family, I am known for being reliable and for my problem-solving skills. Whether it’s planning a family event, helping a friend move, or offering advice on a tricky situation, people know me to be dependable. At Prosek, I hope to be known as a team player and someone who is looking to learn from the diverse expertise of my colleagues and clients alike.

4. What’s a “fun fact” about you?

I’ve grown up playing the drums for over a decade and love all kinds of music. If you see me with my AirPods in, I’m almost certainly listening to one of my many highly curated playlists!

5. What’s one thing you wish people would know, and/or one thing you recommend Prosekians engage with (i.e. one movie, one newsletter, one podcast, etc.), in observance of AAPI Heritage Month? 

It’s important to recognise that the AAPI community embodies a rich melting pot of cultures, each offering something unique to discover. Have an open mind and there’s always something new to learn! In my opinion, the best way to get to know a culture is through its food and art, even if that means visiting the Dishoom (a Bombay-Iranian restaurant in the UK) under our Covent Garden office 😉. I highly recommend watching the newly released film, Monkey Man, and if you haven’t already, I’d also encourage reading Salman Rushdie’s Midnight’s Children to learn more about India’s rich history and culture.