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Growing up in an Asian American household, money was larger than numbers. It encompassed love, sacrifice, pride, and sometimes, silence. As we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month, I’ve been reflecting on how financial conversations (or the lack thereof) 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 carried 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 pressures that come with wanting to make her sacrifices mean something, to build on the foundation she laid even if the path forward sometimes 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? Not so much.
These dynamics can create tension. There’s pressure to succeed, fear of failure, and silence around struggle. In a culture that often emphasizes saving face and protecting your family’s reputation, admitting financial hardship can feel taboo. But silence doesn’t build wealth. Access does. Education does. Equity does.
That’s why I’m 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. Communities like mine.
When I see Esusu’s mission in action, whether it’s a family improving their credit for the first time or a property manager choosing equity over eviction, I see hope. I see us breaking cycles. And I see the power of financial inclusion as a form of cultural healing.
This AANHPI Heritage Month, I’m celebrating the strength of our stories and pushing for systems that support them. Because for so many of us, financial empowerment isn’t just about money. It’s about dignity. It’s about freedom. And it’s about time.