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Kylie Long

4/19/2022

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Kylie Long, 20’s
Edison, NJ
she/her
Current Role: Founder @ Kahenmei (Website / Instagram)

What racial, ethnic, cultural community or communities do you identify with? 
Chinese American/Asian American.

Tell us about your family story.
My family immigrated here from the Canto region of China. I grew up in a small, predominately white town in the suburbs of New Jersey where there was really no one who looked like us. Growing up, my sibling and I have had our fair share of lunch box moments - times when we wanted nothing more than to trade our egg fried rice for flavorless ham & cheese sandwiches at school. Similarly, our family would watch us in disapproval when we would prefer PB&J bagels and pancakes for dinner on days where we just wanted "breakfast for dinner." We were simultaneously not American and not Asian enough. A feeling that would haunt us for more than half our childhood.

But thankfully, kiddo me would grow up to embrace and cherish my identity (as confusing as it might be). I would come to realize how lucky I am to be able to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival and Thanksgiving just the same. And how blessed I am to get to claim two New Year’s as my own. Plus, the freedom to get pizza AND soup dumplings for my birthday?? Sign me up! I grew to appreciate my fusion upbringing and I wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world. Something I hope to pass on to the next generation of AAPI kids. 


What are the strengths and challenges of being Chinese American/Asian American?
Being Asian American is an identity that is as empowering as it is confusing. I know the feeling of being a citizen of everywhere and nowhere all too well. The challenges are always rooted in the confusion of not really knowing where you belong and that sense of not belonging often drives our community to be afraid and alone. However, I've learned that it is not at all something to be ashamed of when you share two or more cultures and that we are not at all halves or quarters of something. We are one complete whole. That whole is just the fusion and merge of two or more cultures. And it was only until I started not seeing myself as half Asian and half American, but rather a complete Asian American that I felt empowered to cherish and celebrate both parts of myself. 

What is your proudest accomplishment?
I left the startup and venture world 6 months ago to start the first better-for-you Asian American baking mix company, Kahenmei (meaning "a taste of hometown" in Cantonese). I spent the last two years reflecting a lot about my identity as an Asian American living in the United States. Though, I would argue that 2020 and 2021 practically held my head against a mirror and forced me to self-reflect. It really was one of the only silver linings that came out of the past two years. In the process of rediscovering myself and understanding what it means to be Asian American, I founded Kahenmei.

In many ways, Kahenmei was founded to reflect and recognize kids who grew up like me. Kahenmei was built to celebrate the blending of American and Asian cultures. We believe that we can simultaneously pay homage to our roots while embracing our fusion upbringings. We aspire to take the American treats we know and love and explode them with Asian flavors. In doing so, we hope to curate the tastiest, healthiest treats that are not stuck between two worlds, but the perfect merge of both.


Reflecting on how you grew up, what did you learn or appreciate from your family?
I learned to appreciate their sacrifices, work ethic, and love. Above all, I learned that we may not have been given a choice to be a family, but we chose to stick around, support, and love one another. I will always be in debt to them for showing me what unconditional love is. 

Do you speak your family's native language? Why or why not?
Yes, we grew up speaking Cantonese in our household as my grandparents do not speak an ounce of English and it was important for us that we knew how to communicate with our elders. 

What advice do you have for the younger generations in our Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander community?
Give grace to the older generation, learn to embrace your fusion identity, and always, always remember your roots, but never be afraid to plant new seeds either. 

What gives you the greatest joy in life?
Knowing that I've made my younger self proud and my older self look back with no regrets.

Are there any projects you have created that you'd like to share and promote?
Would love if you could give Kahenmei a shoutout! 
Instagram: @kahenmei 
Website | Instagram
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    Who are we?
    Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander voices in our communities. ​​ 
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    This is a section for AAPI specifically because, coming from our Khmer culture, we often feel invisible in various spaces from school to the media. 

    We want to show the ways in which we are the same and different, and that all of our backgrounds and experiences are valuable to learn and celebrate. Let's uplift each other! 
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