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Growing up in an Asian American household, money was more than numbers. It carried love, sacrifice, pride, and sometimes, silence. As we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month, I have been reflecting on how financial conversations (or the lack of them) shape our identities and impact our communities across generations.
My own story begins with my grandmother, who came to the United States from the Philippines. She arrived with very little, but brought with her a relentless work ethic, deep faith, and a vision of a better future for her family. She worked long hours in caregiving while going to school full-time, always putting others first, rarely talking about money, and never letting on when things were hard.
From her, I learned resilience and resourcefulness. I also inherited the quiet pressure that comes with wanting to make her sacrifices mean something, to build on the foundation she laid even when the path forward feels uncertain.
For many in the AANHPI community, money is a deeply emotional subject. We carry stories like my grandmother’s – stories of stretching every dollar, measuring success in stability and security, and often giving back before taking care of ourselves. Financial responsibility was a virtue; financial transparency often was not.
These dynamics can create tension. There is pressure to succeed, fear of failure, and silence around struggle. In cultures that emphasize “saving face” and protecting family reputation, admitting financial hardship can feel taboo. But silence does not build wealth. Access does. Education does. Equity does.
That is one of the reasons I am proud to be at Esusu.
At Esusu, we believe that where you come from should never determine where you end up. We help renters build credit, unlock housing stability, and move toward generational wealth, especially in communities that have historically been excluded from traditional financial systems - including many AANHPI communities.
When I see Esusu’s mission in action, whether it is a family improving their credit for the first time or a property manager choosing equity over eviction, I see hope. I see cycles starting to break. And I see financial inclusion as a form of cultural healing.
This AANHPI Heritage Month, I am celebrating the strength of our stories and pushing for systems that support them. For so many of us, financial empowerment is not just about money. It is about dignity. It is about freedom. And it is about time.