Speaking and teaching.

Asian woman with short hair in black PhD tam and dark blue hood wearing gray University of Chicago T-shirt, black long sleeved shirt, and olive green pants holding a microphone in her right hand and motioning toward her tam with the left, with a humorously anguished expression. In the back is a stool with a white and orange Home Depot plastic bag.
Photo by Xu Yang Photography

I am passionate about sharing stories that help create a world where we all have an equal chance of growing old. I have spoken in contexts ranging from standup comedy to university lectures. I have also led creative writing workshops and webinars.

My recent talks have focused on Minnesota history through the lens of Asian and Asian American experience.

My creative writing workshops invite participants to delve into the historical context of the stories they write, and draw connections between their stories and those of other participants.

I have performed comedy with the Funny Asian Women Kollective, about Japanese squat toilets, US military bases on Okinawa, and more.

Contact me to learn more about how I can speak on these and other topics on history, art, and why these things matter for your organization.

Selected history presentations

“A Short Japanese Cadet: Kiyoshi Kitagawa and Interwar Faribault.”

Lecture at Rice County Historical Society, Faribault, May 18, 2023.

“Invitation to Asian Minnesota.”

Presentation for Century College, White Bear Lake, April 19, 2023.

“Invitation to Asian Minnesota.”
Presentation for the Coalition of Asian American Leaders Leadership Summit, Minneapolis, September 17, 2022.

Stack of books: Secret Identities The Asian American Superhero Anthology edited by Yang et al., Citizen 13660 by Mine Okubo, and Nat Turner by Kyle Baker.

Teaching

“So What? Your Story and Historical Context: A Class for Indigenous Writers and Writers of Color,” Loft Literary Center webinar, February 8 and 15, 2025.

“Exploring the ‘So What’ and ‘Why Now’ with Historical Context,” Creative Nonfiction webinar, October 26, 2022.

“Your Story and Historical Context,” Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis, June-July 2022.

“Your Story and Historical Context,” Loft Literary Center, Minneapolis, August 4, 2018.

Comedy performances

Funny Asian Women Kollective FAWK on the Prairie: A Mini-Mini Rural MN Tour
Madison Mercantile, Madison, MN, February 9, 2025.
The Yes! House, Granite Falls, MN, February 8, 2025.
The Little Theatre, New London, MN, February 7, 2025.

Funny Asian Women Kollective Extra Quality Super Show
Fitzgerald Theater, Saint Paul, November 8, 2024.

Funny Asian Women Kollective Intentional Hot Mess Show
Uptown Arts and Rec, Minneapolis, February 24, 2023.

Funny Asian Women Kollective The Super Show…AGAIN!
Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Saint Paul, April 16, 2022.

Funny Asian Women Kollective Super Show
Ordway Center for Performing Arts, Saint Paul, October 26, 2019.

Readings

Finding Home When They Just Want Your Labor and Your Stuff, Minnesota State Arts Board Creative FY 2024 Creative Individuals Grant reading and open mic with Sherrie Fernandez-Williams, XIA Gallery & Cafe, April 13, 2025.

Cracked Walnut 5th Wednesdays Reading Series, Merriam Park Library, January 29, 2025.

This Was 2020 Book Celebration, Ramsey County Library, November 9, 2021.

The Kaleidoscope Project with Rebecca Nichloson at East Side Freedom Library, July 15, 2021.

The Kaleidoscope Project with Rebecca Nichloson at East Side Freedom Library, August 11, 2020.

Loft Mentor Series Reading at the Loft Literary Center, May 29, 2020.

555 Reading curated by Rebecca Nichloson, May 26, 2020.

Resistance and Resilience Reading Series at Next Chapter Books, Saint Paul, September 25, 2019.