Spotlight on Booth’s AAPI Community

“As a seven-year-old immigrant from Korea, I embarked on my journey to become Asian American by first learning about bizarre holidays. One brisk October morning, I saw my classmates wearing bloody masks and bumblebee costumes. Was this some silly joke? After stuffing my face with Halloween treats, I decided that it was not.

“In November, our English as a Second Language (ESL) teachers hosted a Thanksgiving dinner. Turkey, stuffing, and cranberries meshed well with the colorful cuisines that my friends and I brought to celebrate our cultures. My mom’s bulgogi was a hit. In December, it was Christmas time. I thought I already knew about this one. I was wrong. Santa Claus could be white, Black, or Korean. 

“AAPI Month is a chance for us to reflect on moments such as these. It’s also an opportunity for us not only to celebrate our strong community and heritage, but also to promote cross-cultural dialogue and diversity. It’s a reminder to pay homage to all the immigrants who came before us to pave the path. I’ve taken this month to appreciate the fantastic people who have molded me into a proud Asian American, such as my ESL teacher in second grade who taught me English, and of course, my parents for all the sacrifices they’ve made for me and my brother.”

“As a first-generation immigrant who was born and raised in China and moved to the States as a young adult, my identity has been shaped by both Eastern and Western cultures. I grew up learning ancient Chinese stories and was always fascinated by the old Eastern philosophies of kindness, family orientation, and the relationship between humans and nature.

“When I moved to the States, my journey of exploration continued. I have met more people from varying backgrounds and have a deeper understanding of diversity, equality, and liberty. The challenges of being a first-generation immigrant can be overwhelming sometimes. However, I feel very fortunate to be immersed in these two cultures and to see them mingled together in me. I’m better prepared for the life and career demands that are required in a more globalized society.”

JP Gan is one of the most successful venture capitalists on the planet. Dubbed “the unicorn hunter” and ranked No. 5 on Forbes’ “Midas List” of top tech investors in 2019, Gan’s attention and funding are in high-demand. His team at INCE Capital meets up to 1,000 early-stage consumer-technology companies a year. Only 1 percent get funded.

For Gan, conversations are crucial—trying to judge which entrepreneurs have the drive and stamina to succeed. He always asks founders, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Gan wants a founder to bring as much passion to building a business as he brings to investing in it.

“You don’t come to work to make an extra dollar,” he says. “You come to work because you love the game, you love to compete, and you have this fear of missing out. That’s what gets me up early in the morning and going to the office and meeting with a hundred new companies every year.”