Celebrating the Ever-growing AAPI optiMize Community
At optiMize, we are dedicated to cultivating a community where everyone is inspired to work together toward positive change. We celebrate a vibrant mosaic of backgrounds and identities among our members. Our community includes a diverse group of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) visionaries. Today, we are celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the AAPI community.
Embracing and celebrating these unique identities is crucial for our collective growth and impact, which propels us toward a more inclusive future. By amplifying self-expression and cultural pride, we empower our members to develop impactful projects that resonate deeply with their values, experiences, and roots, enhancing the synergy and solidarity within our community. We are excited to share the journeys of our past fellows and stories filled with achievements, challenges, reflections, and learnings that have enriched not only their ventures but also our collective pursuit of social impact.
In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, we reached out to some of our past fellows who identify as AAPI to understand how they have evolved since their time with optiMize. Their remarkable accomplishments and creative perseverance have left us in awe and with a sense of collective progress.
Featuring “A Colorful Connection”
A project looking to add to Filipinx representation in the media, empower Asian identities, and educate others on diverse cultures.
Cohort 12 : Nicole Vergara, Hillary Tran, Nina Blanco & Janelle Bernardino
In 2024, four young women, radiating passion and determination, took to the stage of SIC Showcase, unveiling “A Colorful Collection (ACC),” a venture designed to “bring together Filipinx voices, fostering a love for storytelling to address the lack of representation in literature.” During their SIC fellowship, ACC created spaces for young Filipinx to embrace their culture while offering a platform for historically marginalized groups to share their diverse narratives. ACC was crafting a children's book celebrating Filipino culture, designed for children aged 6-7, exploring themes of kinship, hospitality, and food, all integral elements of the Filipino community’s values. Alongside the book, a blog was in progress to present personal stories through photo essays, columns, or videos. As members of the AAPI community, the co-founders aim to help Filipinx-identifying children connect with their heritage and invite others to explore these unique traditions.
From left, Hillary Tran, Nina Blanco, Janelle Bernardino, and Nicole Vergara at ACC’s first book launch of “Pamilya & Pancit.”
Upon reaching out to ACC we learned that a lot has changed since summer 2024. "Over the year, ACC has blossomed since participating in the 2023-2024 optiMize summer fellowship," shared Nikki Vergara, an optiMize fellow from Cohort 12 and co-founder of ACC. The organization established its foundational values and goals, culminating in completing its children's book manuscript centered on Filipinx-American culture. In March 2025, ACC self-published its first children's book, “Pamilya & Pancit,” marking this milestone with a vibrant launch party featuring incredible speakers, like optiMize cohort 12 fellow Homayra Adiba who shared with the audience her work named “Where Blue Birds Fly” a photo-narrative inspired by a childhood spent in Dhaka city and an integral relationship of Dhaka recidents with rooftops. Other respected speakers, Oluwaseun Oyindamola Ogunleye and Yoon Kim also brought powerful stories to the event, provoking powerful conversation and engagement. optiMize cohort 12 fellow Giancarlo Medrano and Paulo Zepeda held a stall with their collaborative venture Música Para la Gente (MPG) as well as led the media responsibilities of the event. Many optiMize staff also attended the event to celebrate and support ACC, thanks to bonds formed during the fellowship that have sustained. We were delighted to learn how this community has flourished and produced something beautiful together: a long-lasting friendship, collaboration, and collective growth that has outlived the summer fellowship!
Regarding the nurturing environment at optiMize. Hillary Tran, the co-founder at ACC stated,
Going into optiMize, I felt uncertain—especially about my voice. But the Summer Fellowship gave me space to explore, try, and grow. Homayra’s encouragement and Kimberly’s steadfast support reminded me that it’s okay to try, even when things feel unclear. Some of my closest friendships were formed in this space—including meeting my co-founder, Nikki. The incredible people I met shaped not only my project but also my approach to the world. I’m immensely grateful to the community that made me feel seen and continues to shape my aspirations and sense of self.
To Hilary’s statement, Nikki added,
To say the least, optimize has been a life changing experience — not only in terms of growing my skills as an entrepreneur and a leader, but also experiencing the love and warmth that the optimize community has to offer. [My fellow cohort 12 members] Homayra and Kimberly’s constant words of encouragement inspired me to reach for the stars, reminding me the importance of dreaming big. My co-founder Hillary has easily become my best friend throughout optimize; I am so extremely grateful to be working alongside her and growing with her. Optimize has introduced me to such a loving environment, and for that I am forever grateful for the community they have cultivated.
At the event, ACC shared the book's opening—a beautiful letter to young readers, stating:
“To every reader flipping through these pages, we hope you find a piece of yourself within this story. No matter where you come from, no matter where you will go, and no matter how your identity is painted—whether it is in the softest pastels or the deepest hues—your story deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated. You are the vivid, irreplaceable splash of color that adds richness to this world.”
During the launch, Hillary Tran introduced the organization’s live website and blog, enabling community members to share their stories. They also outlined their guiding principles—the “4 C’s”: culture, comprehension, community, and connection, which fortify their dedication to the communities they serve.
There is more to the growth ACC has experienced, including an expanded version of their mission. When A Colorful Collection began, their focus was on uplifting Filipino voices in children’s literature. But as they grew, listened, and engaged more with their stakeholders, they saw a broader picture: numerous marginalized voices whose stories remain untold.
“Expanding our mission felt natural— necessary, even. We wanted to honor the richness and diversity of all underrepresented communities. Updating our mission wasn’t about changing who we are; it was about embracing the fuller scope of who we hope to serve.”
Thus, their new mission is:
A Colorful Collection (ACC) is an initiative dedicated to increasing representation in children’s literature. By celebrating the beauty of storytelling, we hope to empower underrepresented communities to share their experiences, creating a supportive space for young readers to embrace their identities and foster inclusivity for all.
Looking ahead, summer is busy for ACC, including a pop-up book fair in Ann Arbor, a collaboration with a Chicago-based author and illustrator, and a storytelling workshop for youth. Nikki also led a breakout session at the Michigan Regional Conference for Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society titled “Stories as Bridges,” exploring storytelling as a powerful bridge between cultures and generations. Reflecting on her experience growing up as a Filipina-American, she discussed how navigating her identity complexities led to fostering belonging and amplifying underrepresented voices. Today, ACC is gradually expanding its venture to Boston alongside Michigan, seeking to grow its community by including more underrepresented cultures, promoting diversity, and learning from one another. We can’t wait to see all the wonderful colors “A Colorful Collection” brings to the world, they did to our lives.
Learn more about their venture
We would also like to give a shout-out to:
Arab Women United
A non-profit organization providing a safe and nurturing environment for women to access essential resources and opportunities.
Cohort 12 : Zahraa Alrafish & Duaa Alhalemi
Arab Women United is an initiative established by Arab-American immigrant women, dedicated to uplifting and supporting women in underprivileged and underserved communities. By creating a safe space for women to share their stories and experiences, AWU aims to foster solidarity and resilience within these communities. Recognizing the urgent need for tangible support structures, last year, founder Zahraa Alrafish sought to establish avenues for women to cultivate self-reliance and forge meaningful connections with female peers worldwide. Coming into the fellowship, AWU had already refined and expanded its offerings by introducing new programs such as financial literacy workshops, resume-building sessions, and marketing courses. During the fellowship, they worked on a long-term vision to scale and extend their reach into diverse global communities, making a tangible impact by creating and increasing safe spaces for women everywhere.
Recently, when we reached out to Zahraa, she informed us that since the fellowship, Arab Women United has expanded in incredible ways. They officially launched their “She Leads Academy,” which provides leadership training and mentorship to Arab and immigrant women. They have also grown to three university chapters across Michigan.
“It’s been powerful to witness the ripple effect of our work, helping young women step into leadership and building spaces rooted in belonging and cultural pride.”
It has been empowering for us to witness the unity and resilience AWU brings to the world.
Learn more about their venture
Anees
A volunteer-run hospital visitation program promoting the spiritual well-being of hospitalized Muslim patients.
Cohort 12: Zaki Khera
Anees is a chaplain-led hospital visitation program dedicated to combating the stigma surrounding mental and spiritual healthcare in the Muslim community. The program aims to address the disparities between Muslims and other faith groups within spiritual care services at the hospitals they collaborate. As a Muslim passionate about addressing the psychosocial needs of underrepresented and minority groups, Zaki Khera is committed to supporting his community after witnessing their struggles due to a lack of access to holistic healthcare. Last summer, Khera worked towards getting Anees verified by the spiritual care department at Michigan Medicine, envisioning Anees to become a fully functioning and self-sustaining venture in most, if not all, hospitals across the United States with a Muslim patient population. They were addressing the problem that became evident during the COVID-19 pandemic due to a national shortage of chaplains and many Muslim patients feeling that their spiritual health and recovery were not being addressed adequately. It is of great pleasure for us to learn from their website that their commitment to service has helped catalyze Anees' expansion into multiple teaching hospitals across the nation, with the larger goal of establishing the concrete infrastructure needed to ensure health equity for patients of all backgrounds and upbringings.
Learn more about their venture
Gone With Wind
A book raising awareness regarding the contrast between the communal resilience and corporate greed in a superstore during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Cohort 12 : Homayra Adiba
Using a unique multimedia format, Homayra's book, previously named "Gone With Wind," showcases the vital role of essential grocery store workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid increasing uncertainty, this project highlights the tireless efforts and personal stories of these workers, who dedicated countless hours and risked their lives to maintain a semblance of normalcy. Utilizing both photographs from the time and found grocery receipts overlaid through a cyanotype method, founder Homayra Adiba captures the stark contrast between corporate greed and communal strength through this book, aiming to raise awareness of the disparities between essential workers and the corporations they work for. As an essential worker herself during the pandemic, Homayra hopes to bring to light the often-overlooked narratives of community, struggle, and vulnerability. Last summer, Adiba connected with publishers to share these powerful stories and foster a deeper connection with a wider audience. This summer, she is working with a publisher on the final draft of the manuscript, which is estimated to be complete by the end of the season.
"I am grateful for my experience with optiMize because, on days when this venture feels never-ending, I can still reach out to my optiMize mentors, the staff, and the friends I made during times of fellowship for the support I need to keep going. I admire the friendships I formed last year, which have become a support system of shared growth, pivotal moments, and learning that continue to inspire me every day.”
We were reminded again how creating a space to exchange ideas can help ventures evolve when Homayra shared with us that a pivotal moment for her book was integrating letters from "essential workers" to shift it from a personal narrative to a more collective one. She said this idea only came to her when she shared her children's book collection with Nikki Vergara and Hilary Tran (ACC), hoping it might benefit their venture. As she sifted through the pages, she was inspired by the book A Velocity of Being by Maria Popova, which gave her the idea to include letters. This act of reciprocity has benefited both ventures, as both books include letters to create a sense of personal connection with their communities. Since the fellowship, Homayra has conducted personal interviews with essential workers, collaborated with faculty members for the project, delved into anthropological literature to holistically represent her community, and is also working towards an ethnographic film.