FOUNDER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Katie Quan is a third-generation Chinese American born and raised on Ramaytush Ohlone land (San Francisco). She is an artist, community advocate, storyteller, and educator. Her work explores the complexities of Asian America, addressing themes like self-identity, mental health, and family. Her art has been exhibited at SF Zinefest, Kearny Street Workshop’s APAture, A PLACE of Her Own, and Chinese Historical Society of America. In 2023, she was a recipient of the Youth Speaks and California Arts Council’s Individual Artist Fellowship as an Emerging Artist. Katie strives to make intersectional histories accessible to K-12 through interdisciplinary lessons. She is an active member of the Asian American Women Artists Association, Square and Circle Club, and The Association of Chinese Teachers. Photo Credit: Zabrina Deng

ART & ETHNIC STUDIES ADVISOR

Francis Wong has a 45+ year history in student and community activism, beginning in the Asian American Movement of the 1970s and 80s. He is known for his contributions to community-based arts that share the stories and perspectives of Asian Americans. As an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and music director, while in graduate school he  directed and recorded musical scores for Lenora Lee’s immersive dance theater works “The Detached” and “Rescued: NY Stories” (2014) which dealt with the issue of human trafficking and “Fire of Freedom” (2015) which dealt with issues of war, trauma, and women’s experience. He also released a CD of new work entitled “Needs Are Met” in collaboration with legendary saxophonist Ari Brown and veteran bassist Tatsu Aoki in Chicago.

ETHNIC STUDIES ADVISOR

Dr. Tintiangco-Cubales is an award-winning distinguished professor in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. Since 2000, she’s taught in the Asian American Studies courses focusing on Filipina/x/o (American) Studies, women studies, and courses focused on the praxis of Ethnic Studies pedagogy. In 2001, she founded Pin@y Educational Partnerships (PEP), a “barangay” that provides Ethnic Studies courses and curriculum, develops radical educators, and creates resources for Filipina/x/o communities and similarly marginalized people, and the Community Responsive Education (CRE), a national firm that supports the development of responsive, equitable, and justice-driven educators. She is the author of four books of curriculum, and many articles focused on the applications of critical pedagogy, Ethnic Studies curriculum, Mother scholarship, and Pinayism.

K-8 ADVISOR & CORE CONTRIBUTOR

Nicole Mitchell graduated summa cum laude from Lawrence University with a BA in environmental studies. She then received her Masters of Education and teaching credential from Stanford University’s Stanford Teacher Education Program. In addition to being an elementary educator in the California Bay area, Nicole is a facilitator, coach, organizer and writer. She has created and led teacher professional development on topics such as Anti-Bias Anti-Racist education, classroom management, and data-driven discussion. Her writing appears in TEACH magazine, recenter press, and Honey Literary, among others. In her professional and personal life, Nicole values community, agency, and joy.

CORE CONTRIBUTOR

Luis Reyes-Umana, originally from San Francisco, is an infectious disease scientist working in biomedical and pharmaceutical research. He is currently finishing his master’s degree and hopes to pursue a PhD with a focus on antibiotic and antiviral resistance.

ALUMNI OF YIP 2023

I’m a third generation Korean American from California! My favorite things include musicals, pirates, and vintage jazz. I absolutely love everything related to Asian American Studies, particularly anything history related pre-1945. I’m most interested in studying the historical context behind the pan-Asian American identity and how I can define myself within it.

ALUMNI OF YIP 2023

I'm a second generation Chinese American high school student from the Tri-State area! Learning about Asian American and BIPOC stories, and using art as an avenue of change, is a way I hope to rediscover my culture. Taking my first dive into that history was both exciting and enlightening, and gave context to so many of my own experiences.