Culture Luminaries Series
Join me at lunchtime (PST) on Wednesdays for the Culture Luminaries IG Live Series! Each week, I'll be interviewing the women who are inspiring me right now as culture leaders in a diverse array of fields.
These amazing women are entrepreneurs, new moms, an artist, a YouTuber passionate about Filipino food, writers, a coach for 1st & 2nd generation women of color, an oral historian, an activist and law school student, and a magazine editor. They will share how they honor and/or blend their cultural traditions at home, how they define heirlooms, and share stories about the ones they hold closest to their hearts.
Without further ado, here are the Culture Luminaries!
Ema Kubo | May 13
Emma is Japanese American artist, art historian, and mother. She teaches history of Asian art at a local community college and paints with Japanese ink and watercolor in her home studio. The style she developed— whether painting a landscape or a rice ball— is a visual celebration of two distinct artistic traditions joining together on paper. Learn more about Emma here and watch the IG Live here.
Vivian and Jenn (Founders of East Meets Dress) | May 20
Vivian and Jenn are cofounders of East Meets Dress— the first modern fashion company to bring more Asian American representation and inclusion to the traditional wedding industry. As a recent bride, Jenn struggled with finding a wedding cheongsam/qipao that fit her modern aesthetics and decided to start East Meets Dress with her maid of honor and best friend, Vivian. By combining contemporary designs, quality craftsmanship and a dedicated customer experience, they’re helping Asian American brides around the world celebrate their culture in style. Learn more about East Meets Dress here.
Diana Emiko Tsuchida | May 27
Diana is a yonsei Japanese American originally from the Bay Area. She is an independent historian, writer, and the creator of Tessaku, a preservation project and printed journal series dedicated to sharing oral histories from Japanese American elders who lived through the WWII incarceration. Her passion for this history is rooted in her own family's experience of the incarceration, and their tumultuous experience of her grandfather's vocal resistance. To date, she has interviewed over 70 elders. Learn more about Diana here.
Rebekah Lowin | June 3
Rebekah is a magazine editor living in New York City and the founder of RebekahLowin.com, a Jewish-focused lifestyle blog centered on party planning, holiday inspiration, tablescapes, and the Jewish home. Her writing, photography, and colorful ideas have been featured by NPR, Williams Sonoma, Food & Wine, Martha Stewart Living, The Jewish Daily Forward, and more. Rebekah has also hosted an original video series for NBC News’ Today Show, Shape Magazine, and the Food Network and appeared as a lifestyle expert on television news programs across the U.S. Learn more about Rebekah here.
Jeanelle Castro | June 10
Jeanelle Castro is a YouTube creator who shares Filipino food and culture through videos and cooking classes. She makes Filipino food easily accessible to anyone who is willing to learn, and believes food cultivates unity between cultures. Learn more about Jeanelle here.
Amy Albertson | June 17
Amy is a native Californian-turned olah hadasha trying to live her best life in Israel! A large part of her experience is her road to discovery as a Chinese American and Ashkenazi Jewish woman. Learn more about Amy here.
Nicole Cruz | June 24
Nicole is a life coach for first and second generation immigrant women of color. She empowers them to cultivate confidence, self-love, and THRIVE, unapologetically. Learn more about Nicole here. She also happens to be Kristin’s life coach!
Allie Barnes | July 1
Allie is a new mom and teacher who tries to use social media platforms to inspire positivity, have open dialogues about life, and encourage people to trust themselves enough to try new things. She is passionate about reconnecting to Judaism authentically, miscarriage and infertility, motherhood, and education in all its forms. Learn more about Allie here.
Fernanda Spieler | July 8
Fernanda is a law student at Loyola University Chicago, hoping to become an immigration attorney. She is an immigrant rights activist working to encourage undocumented individuals by sharing their stories with elected officials and the general public. She is also working to keep her family together as her mother is in deportation proceedings. Learn more about Fernanda here.
This series is an update of my interview series from last year, and I am SO excited to introduce you to these brilliant women, as well as expand my own perspective of what cultural traditions and heirlooms can be in a modern world. I hope that they are a welcome distraction during a time seemingly full of uncertainty, and that they provide inspiration in stepping back to see the bigger picture of our lives and lineages.
As I discuss ritual objects with each of these women, I am reminded that there are so many ways to celebrate, honor, and even reclaim, our time-honored traditions. I believe ritual objects really help anchor us in these moments— especially during this time.
Head here to visit our Modern Heirlooms web shop, where I've thoughtfully co-created ritual objects with my favorite artisans (in limited runs) to help you elevate your sacred rituals.