#703 Flowing with Michelle Li

This week’s guest for our BLF takeover of the BLP for the month of May 2024 is Michelle Li! Michelle Li is an award-winning, veteran journalist who co-launched the Very Asian Foundation in January 2022 alongside friend and fellow journalist Gia Vang. Her response to a racist voicemail became a global movement of unity and caught the attention of The Ellen Show. Ellen’s monetary gift of $15,000 helped start the seed money to create a non profit focused on shining a light on Asian life through advocacy and celebration. Not only did the Very Asian Foundation raise tens of thousands of dollars for AANHPI nonprofits in its first 100 days, but it also launched a national awareness youth literature campaign called The May Book Project, and started the Very Asian Creators microgrant program for people who needed startup funds to pivot in their careers. A Korean adoptee, Michelle spent many years supporting adoptees through heritage camps and volunteer tours to Korea. She also launched a program to support Missouri children in foster care. This work led to a congressional award in 2010. Michelle’s reporting has been honored with a national Peabody Award, four national Murrows, and multiple regional Emmys– often for covering topics related to race or gender inequities. Her work on the Asian American experience in St. Louis during the pandemic was also named a duPont finalist in 2023. Michelle has appeared on CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC, and The Washington Post. She released a children’s book with Gloo Books called A Very Asian Guide to Korean Food. Michelle currently resides in St. Louis with her family. She is @michellelitv on most platforms. Connect with Michelle: Social Media Handles: @michellelitv on most platforms, FB: facebook.com/mlitv  URLs: veryasianfoundation.org Very Asian goes viral 2022:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Q_FteWUGejFix8iB7HurfShlwrU4Cwvr?usp=sharing About Michelle Li’s adoption: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fONUO3yIA9c The Very Asian Foundation on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theveryasianfoundation Show notes and more episodes at Brucelee.com/Podcast

Om Podcasten

On this season of the Bruce Lee Podcast, join Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee as she engages in conversation with special guests from all walks of life about their approach to living life fluidly and the wisdom they have gained along the way. In concert with themes from her book Be Water, My Friend and the year of the dragon, Shannon continues to share Bruce Lee’s philosophy as she and her guests dive deep into the challenges and joys of being human. See how guests have aligned with and been inspired by Bruce Lee and his philosophies and how they've motivated themselves to step into their own potential and keep on flowing!