K Thanks Hi
Hello my name is...
Stories From My Corner of the World
Dear Reader,
Stories shape our souls from the moment we are able to absorb and share them. We read, listen and tell stories to better understand and express our inner truths. My name is Deanne Yee and I am a lover of stories both big and small, transformative and minute.
As a young girl growing up in Utah, Korea and California (a peripathetic childhood which deserves a more detailed explanation later), I spent hours lost in books, mostly fiction stories that informed and shaped me into the person I am today. My mother who had majored in library science in college, helped push my literary boundaries beyond juvenile Sweet Valley style romance novels (“You like romance, you’ll like Charlotte Bronte or Jane Austen. You like fantasy? Try Greek mythology or The Odyssey…”). Soon, I dreamt of becoming a writer and speaking directly to an audience through the power of stories.
Stories About Work Stuff
I am lucky to do what I love everyday - helping to shape stories for a living as the co-founder of Avant Collective, a PR agency in New York + Los Angeles for extraordinary brands across lifestyle, beauty and more. Our clients resonate with my co-founder and I personally - as we are both AAPI female founders interested in supporting minority owned businesses, sustainable/ethical manufacturing and mindful living practices. I intend to use this newsletter to highlight some of the wonderful work we have been doing for our clients as well as stories behind the scenes.
Stories About Personal + High-Low Cultural Stuff
In addition to career stories, I will be getting personal with you, sharing stories about marriage, motherhood, sisterhood, friendships and cultural identity as a Korean-American lover of both high low culture (from Ocean Vuong to dating shows on Netflix).
Lately, I have been more conscious about the way I spend my time and energy- and supporting AAPI related causes is filling my cup. I am proud to be a board member of a wonderful organization called KAFSC, a New York based grassroots organization supporting women and children affected by gender based and domestic violence.
As we wrap AANPHI Heritage Month, here are some other organizations/causes which have been on my radar lately:
I love stories- big and small. Thank you for trusting me with mine. I promise to keep these missives short, sweet and true and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Speaking of AANPHI Heritage Month, attached below is a picture of me and Pikachu at the Gold Gala this year. It was my second year attending this wonderful celebration of Asian excellence and this was my favorite celebrity sighting in May.
Deanne
