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Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena Kong often felt invisible—a feeling that followed her from Canada to the U.S. and ultimately inspired her to write Grateful Being Me, a book to help children understand representation matters.
Seeing Herself in Stories
Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena often felt invisible.
“I truly believed as a child that no one else could relate to these feelings I was experiencing,” she shares. “That’s why I wanted to share my story with others.”
Raised by supportive parents, Deena became a passionate reader, ultimately leading her to create a book that would help children from similar backgrounds see themselves represented.
“Representation matters,” Deena explains. “When a child wanders through a library or bookstore, they should be able to find themselves in the stories and pictures. I hope Grateful Being Me encourages self-acceptance, celebrates diversity, and promotes inclusion by empowering children to connect with one another.”
The Making of Grateful Being Me
Finding time to write proved challenging while working full-time as a Government Contractor in Ethics & Compliance and raising a family. Yet Deena’s determination to promote diversity and inclusion kept her going until her book was ready for publication.
“Modeled after my real-life experiences, this book follows a young girl named Rosila on her adventure in an unfamiliar place,” Deena says proudly.
The story chronicles Rosila’s first day at a new school in a new country, where she discovers what makes her unique and learns the power of self-love.
“Rosila’s first language isn’t English, so her vocabulary stands out,” Deena notes. “She brings ethnic foods that seem unusual compared to typical American cafeteria lunches. The story captures her nervousness about how classmates will react as she navigates this new environment and makes friends.”
Through Grateful Being Me, Deena offers a powerful tool to help children understand they belong anywhere. The book thoughtfully explores the complex emotions children face when encountering unfamiliar situations, ultimately showing them that their uniqueness is something to be celebrated.
Connect
Instagram: @bydeenakong
Website: Deena Kong
Purchase your copy of Grateful Being Me on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or Books-A-Million.
- 2 min read
News
Thuy has always been a proud Vietnamese at heart. In April 2024, Vietnamese American R&B artist Thuy made history at Coachella as the first official solo Vietnamese American artist to grace the well-known music festival. This year, a video clip of her Coachella speech has become widespread, sending out a powerful message to young Asian girls out there.
Originally from the Bay Area, Thuy revealed that she grew up in a traditional family, hence, shaping her as a former optometric technician. However, weekend karaoke sessions with her family have brought her musicianship to life, sparking an interest that soon flourished. Taking a leap of faith and moving to Los Angeles (LA) for a music career, Thuy has proven to herself that the leap was a must, especially with the well-liked hit “girls like me don’t cry.”
Beyond her musical talent and captivating stage presence, Thuy’s performance at Coachella stands for something way greater—the well-deserved representation of Vietnamese Americans and Asian Americans in general. Her success challenges traditional expectations within Asian American households, where creative careers are discouraged due to the fear of instability associated with the jobs. Moreover, this is also a significant step forward in diversifying the music industry and amplifying underrepresented voices.
‘This moment doesn’t happen for Vietnamese American girls like me,” Thuy reflected during her Coachella performance. “I am so honored to be here today to be the first official solo Vietnamese American.”
- 2 min read
Blogs, Development
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- 2 min read
News
Amanda Nguyen is set to become the first Vietnamese woman to fly into space—a historic achievement on its own. But what makes this moment truly extraordinary is the powerful story behind it: a journey of resilience, justice, and unshakable advocacy for Asian American and survivor rights.
Amanda’s life changed forever in 2013 when she was sexually assaulted while attending Harvard. Frustrated by a legal system that failed to protect her, she fought back—not just for herself, but for countless others. Filing lawsuits as “Jane Doe,” she refused to accept a law that denied her justice. Instead, she turned her pain into purpose, founding Rise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing civil rights protections for survivors of sexual violence.
Through Rise, Amanda played a key role in passing the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, and her tireless advocacy work for both survivors and Asian American communities earned her global recognition. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019 and named Time Woman of the Year in 2022.
Despite the trauma she endured, Amanda never let go of her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. Now, at 32, she will finally see that dream take flight as she joins Space for Humanity’s Citizen Astronaut Program, making her the first Vietnamese American woman to fly into space.
According to Space for Humanity, the mission aims to “empower each citizen astronaut to address global challenges with a broader outlook.” Amanda will launch aboard a New Shepard rocket by Blue Origin, a U.S.-based aerospace company and spaceflight provider.
In a heartfelt video shared by the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam, Amanda spoke in Vietnamese:
“I am Vietnamese. I’m flying to space so that young Vietnamese women can see themselves among the stars. What’s important for me is that I can carry my community by my side. I might be the first, but I will not be the last.”
- 2 min read