MLK day + Trump's Inauguration - My Thoughts
Here’s a photo of me and Jessica’s and Pam 11 years ago at my grad school graduation. And a photo of me, my husband and pam last Christmas
Navigating Privilege, Representation, and Building Bridges on MLK Day
The irony of today isn't lost on me – MLK Day coinciding with Trump's reelection.
While some might say business owners should stay quiet about politics and race, I've never been good at shrinking myself or my values to make others comfortable.
A few years ago, I read Caste by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, and this quote resonates today more than ever:
"Many people may rightly say, 'I had nothing to do with how this all started. I have nothing to do with the sins of the past. My ancestors never attacked indigenous people, never owned slaves.' And, yes. Not one of us was here when this house was built. Our immediate ancestors may have had nothing to do with it, but here we are, the current occupants of a property with stress cracks and bowed walls and fissures built into the foundation. We are the heirs to whatever is right or wrong with it. We did not erect the uneven pillars or joists, but they are ours to deal with now."
💗 This hits differently when you've lived at the intersection of multiple worlds like I have.
A Life Intertwined with Privilege and Inequality
We're all somewhere on a privilege spectrum. And no, it's not just about race – I know that. But in a society built on centuries of systemic inequality, race shapes so much of how we move through the world, how we're perceived, and what doors open or close for us.
When my biological father passed away when I was three, I was blessed with a Taiwanese god-dad named Dan (read more about him here). But my story took another beautiful turn in sixth grade when I met my best friend Jessica. ✨
During a bitter divorce, my biological mom and I were kicked out when I was in eighth grade, leading me to spend a year at boarding school in China. But then something miraculous happened – Jessica's mom Pam and her family took me in. They opened their home and hearts, allowing me to finish high school with them. I'm so grateful to have real angels in my life. 🙏
The Power of Representation
Pam’s story is incredible. Growing up in the projects of D.C., she was told by school counselors she'd be nothing more than a housekeeper for "rich folks." Instead, she put herself through Johns Hopkins Medical School, studying with her newborn baby in her lap, graduating at the top of her class. And now here she was, taking in another child without hesitation, making me part of her family. ❤️
👀 Living with them in South Orange County opened my eyes to so much. The stares we'd get when Pam drove her BMW through our predominantly white neighborhood – like she couldn't possibly belong there.
Sunday mornings spent taking Jessica's sister's braids out, going to Black church in LA where Pam sang in the choir. I remember the curious looks as we sat together in the pews, in restaurants, everywhere we went – this Black family with their much shorter Chinese daughter. But Pam would always proudly introduce me as her 5th daughter – which I really am to this day.
That's why it cuts deep to witness Pam, now a top OB anesthesiologist, still being mistaken for the janitor in operating rooms.
Becoming the Change
🦄 This is why I've built my business the way I have. When a well-known coach recently told me, "I value DEI, but people of color don't seem to join my programs," I had to be honest: You don't attract diversity – you BECOME diversity.
It happens through:
The content you consume
The voices you amplify
The communities you get proximate to
The conversations you're willing to have, even when they're uncomfortable
The lived experiences you surround yourself with
💗 At any given moment, we're either building bridges or perpetuating the status quo. There's no neutral ground. When we choose comfort over conversation, silence over speaking up, we're making a choice to maintain systems that weren't built for all of us.
Stories That Inspire Change
🙏 What gives me hope is that even though human nature (and the current administration) is fighting to maintain the status quo, our members and allies are choosing courage over comfort. I see people building bridges, creating change, and lifting each other up in ways that inspire me daily.
✨ These stories remind me why representation matters:
🇯🇲 🇨🇳 A third-generation Jamaican-Chinese woman in her 60s rebuilding her top-rated Airbnb business after a major illness. She’s creating a space that celebrates both her cultures—from jerk chicken to lunar new year celebrations—and making travelers from all backgrounds feel like family.
💫 Multiple cancer survivors building their dreams while navigating a broken healthcare system that historically deprioritizes Black pain. They’re creating wellness spaces and support networks to ensure other women of color don’t have to face these journeys alone.
🌟 A recent immigrant from South Asia taking English classes while launching her e-commerce brand, working full-time, and raising two kids. She’s building a platform that not only shares her heritage through beautiful products but also employs and mentors other immigrant women, showing them that their dreams are possible too.
⬆️ These stories remind us that we all have the power to lift others up, to make space, and to shine a light on voices that deserve to be heard.
Building a World Where All Stories Flourish
Creating safe spaces isn't just about checking boxes – it's about honoring each person's unique journey, their struggles, and their triumphs. It's about building spaces where everyone can show up fully as themselves, without code-switching or shrinking.
On this MLK Day, I invite all of us to reflect:
How can we amplify voices that need to be heard?
Whose stories can we help tell?
How can we use our privilege, whatever form it takes, to create more inclusive spaces?
What bridges are we building in our own communities?
💗 Because at the end of the day, this work isn't about any one person's journey. It's about creating ripples of change that spread far beyond ourselves. It's about building a world where all our stories can flourish.
🌟 Together, let’s create a future that celebrates diversity and lifts every voice.
💖 With love and in solidarity,
Gloria
Taking the First Step Toward Change
Your voice matters. How are you building bridges and creating change in your corner of the world? DM me or share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you. Let this be a call to action—a moment to reflect, connect, and grow. Growth begins where comfort ends. Together, we can build something better, one story and one step at a time. 🌍