My name is Tina, I’m 31 and from Rhode Island, where I’ve lived all my life except for my college years in Massachusetts.
I hold a Bachelor’s in International Development and Social Change and a Master’s in Community Development and Planning. I’m a community advocate, artist, children’s book author, daughter of immigrants, and proud dog mom.
“As a first-generation American, I’ve always straddled the line between Lao and American cultures. Navigating my identity has meant a lot of independence and figuring things out on my own, since my parents didn’t fully understand American culture, they just knew how to keep me safe and cared for. ”
When I was younger, this meant feeling ashamed of being different and disconnected from my roots. But now, it means fully embracing my culture so it lives on beyond my parents and me, learning our traditions, cooking our dishes, and speaking Lao as much as I can, because our culture is beautiful and deserves to be preserved across many generations. This is something I still wrestle with today.
“What I value most about Lao culture is the deep importance of family and coming together across generations.”
“At every holiday or celebration, whether blessing a new home, welcoming a baby, celebrating a marriage,
or Lao New Year, we not only gather with family but we have ceremonies
to honor and call our ancestors to gather with us too.”
“I think that’s so beautiful; it reminds us that no matter where life takes us, we always have family and community by our side. It’s taught me that with each other, we can get through anything—and I treasure that immensely.”
“I share my Lao culture by inviting people into my home, where my mom cooks traditional Lao dishes and speaks Lao, giving friends a real sense of what a Lao immigrant household feels, sounds, smells, and looks like. ”
I often talk about my family’s experience in the U.S. and the challenges my parents have faced. I share what it’s like to feel invisible when people don’t know about Lao culture or even where Laos is—which only drives me more to talk about our food, speak Lao in public, celebrate Lao New Year, visit the temple, and invite others to join me.
“For me, the best way to honor my Lao identity is to share it openly, confidently, and with pride,
and to do that all unapologetically.”
“In 2022, I released my first children’s book, Nana Makes Spring Rolls, about a little girl named Nana (pronounced nah-nah) learning to roll spring rolls with her mom.”
“The book includes Lao words throughout and a recipe at the back for families to try together. My plan is to create a series of Southeast Asian children’s books, starting with a Lao series focused on Lao language and food, to boost Southeast Asian representation in kids’ literature.”
“ This project matters deeply to me because I see younger generations drifting from our roots. They’re speaking less Lao, struggling to connect with grandparents, and missing traditions and recipes.”
“My hope is to help preserve Lao culture for future generations and share its beauty with both Lao and
non-Lao communities.”
“I’m currently focused on deepening my connection with the local and national Lao community. In March 2024, I attended the Healing Out Lao’d retreat, hoping to explore what being Lao means to me beyond my parents’ expectations and what they taught me. ”
“How do I relate to my Lao identity, culture, and community, and what do I want that to look like?”
“Surrounded by 14 incredible Lao women from my generation, I experienced a profound sense of belonging, being understood without explanation, something I’d only known with cousins and family friends. That experience showed me how much I want to strengthen my ties to the Lao community and build a stronger foundation, and that’s what I’m continuing to work on now.
“Professionally, I’ve always worked in the nonprofit sector, focusing on social and racial justice, immigration reform, education equity, college access for first-gen students, arts education, and more.”
“Though I didn’t expect to stay in this field so long, my passion for community and equity keeps me here.”
“I call myself a nonprofit baby because my empathy, leadership, and drive were shaped by the mentors I met through these organizations growing up. ”
“As a daughter of immigrants from a low-income household, I’ve seen firsthand how this country often fails communities like mine—and I know too many others face the same. I believe everyone deserves to have their basic needs met, be treated with compassion, and live with ease, and that belief fuels my fight against the injustices my family and community still face today.”
I approach life with openness and love, grounded in my core values that include community, compassion, creativity, understanding, and equity. I believe everyone carries a story and hardship, so whenever we can choose kindness, why choose hate? I’m also ambitious and resilient, shaped largely by my upbringing. Growing up with parents who came here for a better life meant constant pressure, good grades, high expectations, no room for failure. While that didn’t always come with grace, over time (and with therapy), I’ve learned to release that pressure and meet my ambitions with more
care and love.
Learn more about Tina’s amazing work on IG @littlenanacooks