It was such a pleasure to speak at UMass Boston Asian American Studies class recently, taught by Dr. MinJin Kim.
My thanks to Priya Sonal who found me on social media. She wrote to me:
Hello Ms Mia,
I saw your recent post on Instagram, My heart felt sorry for you and your family’s loss. I can see, your mother had a good fulfilling life, and you as her daughter, she must be so proud and lucky and vice-versa:)
I am TA in “Asian Women in the US class”, classes timings are 2-2:50pm, Monday-Wednesday-Friday. As I talked to you in Instagram about you as being a guest speaker as I got to know about your contribution for being so active in community as of yours “multiculturalhildrensbookday.
Thanks,
Sincerely,
Priya Sonal
I had never been to UMass Boston before. I was supposed to tour it this past fall with my Transitioning Together (First To College) Mentorship program at my kids’ high school. I mentor a high school student there but she is interested in art school and had to study for the TOEFL so we both skipped the college tour. It’s a beautiful campus!
Dr. Kim asked me to speak about my publishing journey as a debut picture book author and about diversity in children’s book publishing as the primary focus of my talk. I rambled on and on and so there wasn’t time for Q and A at the end.
Her students wrote me feedback and gave me permission to post it here:
Speaking at Asian American Studies at UMass Boston
UMass Boston has my heart! Thank you so much Dr. Kim, Priya, and all the students in the class. I had a wonderful time and I am so grateful for the chance to meet you all!
My books:
BEST #OWNVOICES CHILDREN’S BOOKS: My Favorite Diversity Books for Kids Ages 1-12 is a book that I created to highlight books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as the characters in their books.
What a wonderful opportunity, Mia–congrats!