AANHPI is 365!

Welcome to May. As we hold space to honor and celebrate those with Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander heritage, it always takes me a minute to slow down and reflect on my journey as the entrepreneurial daughter of South-Asian immigrants and the dreams I have for my multiethnic children. Growing up, my parents made a Herculean effort to ensure that my brothers and I could access everything we would need to be successful in our own lives. Because the first degree he earned in India wouldn’t afford him as many opportunities in the US, my dad earned an additional Master’s Degree while working full-time and raising three kids under ten. When we were teenagers, my mom worked full-time as a nurse and a part-time weekend job providing care to retired nuns. And still, throughout our entire childhoods, my parents attended all athletic games and scout outings and volunteered at school. When I think about my upbringing, I know my parents, raising children in a new country with very few relatives nearby, made hard choices to ensure their children would find joy and success. 

It took me longer than it should have to realize that my ancestors did not solely pass down to me a desire always to be celebrating something with good food and loved ones. I see now that my entrepreneurial spirit, high tolerance for risk, and ability to move through adversity were gifted to me by my grandparents, parents, and other elders. Beyond any formal learning or training, these characteristics inform the work and partnerships we lead at Gladiator Consulting. Our commitments and values don’t find their origin in white supremacy values; instead, it is the experience of and the resilience built from growing up Brown that guides my audacious spirit and our team’s collective work. 

Please join me in honoring the ways in which the brilliance, experience, and values of our AANHPI family, friends, and neighbors contribute to a better community for us all.

xo,

Rach