This mission is deeply personal to me. I was born in Taiwan, and my family came to this country when I was a toddler — seeking hope, opportunity, and a better life for their children. Like so many resilient, hardworking immigrants, my parents believed that through faith, sacrifice, and perseverance, anything was possible. But the reality they met in America was not always welcoming.

I grew up in Ohio and North Carolina, where I was often the only Asian child in my class. I can still remember the sting of racial slurs whispered in hallways, and the pain of watching my father — a brilliant engineer and devoted family man — be overlooked for promotions simply because of his race. Those moments left an imprint on me. They taught me what injustice looks like up close — and what courage looks like when you refuse to accept it.

My journey took me from North Carolina to Ohio where I graduated from high school with honors, and then to California, where I attended the University of California, Berkeley. I was initially accepted into the engineering program, but life had other plans. During my freshman year, I interned for U.S. Congressman Robert Edgar in Washington Dc , where I got my first inside look at how government can — and sometimes fails to — serve the people. Inspired by Berkeley’s long legacy of civil rights and social justice activism, I decided to switch majors and earned my B.A. in Dramatic Arts. (And yes — I like to joke that majoring in drama prepared me perfectly for today’s political stage!)

After graduating, I moved to Boston, where I worked with an organization called Elders at Risk, helping to protect vulnerable seniors from abuse and neglect. That experience deepened my understanding of advocacy — not just as a profession, but as a moral responsibility. It was one of many moments that solidified my proven dedication to a life of service — standing up for those who can’t always stand up for themselves.

Determined to do more, I went on to earn my Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Syracuse University College of Law in Upstate New York. My time at Syracuse strengthened my commitment to using the law as a tool for justice, equity, and empowerment — the same principles that guide my work today.

When there were cuts to the special education schools in Kent County, my own family was affected. My autistic son lost access to vital support services and extracurricular activities that provided essential structure and stability. Rather than accept it, I stood up and organized parents, educators, and families to fight back. That movement became the Disability A-Team of West Michigan — an action-oriented, people-powered coalition that continues to advocate for transparency, accountability, and equity in special education.

Its mission is to advocate and collaborate for the best interests of individuals with disabilities across the state, and it has since grown into a nonprofit organization that remains active and impactful to this day. Through our collective effort, we achieved systemic change, including an independent audit and a leadership overhaul across nine special education schools. Thousands of students, families, teachers, and staff have benefited from increased funding, resources, and accountability.

That experience proved something I will never forget: when ordinary people come together with courage and purpose, we can change the system. As your State Representative, I will bring that same tenacity, compassion, and proven dedication to service to Lansing — fighting for a Michigan that truly works for all of us.