Through our Scholarship Program, ATG proudly awards Artistic, Groundbreaker Leadership, #LiveLikeLyly, Lily Pabilona Emerging Entrepreneur and Thear Sy Suzuki R.I.S.E Scholarships to a select group of exemplary Asian American high school seniors, college undergraduates, and graduate school students who are shining examples of what it means to go Against The Grain. Our selection committee reviews a combination of criteria: GPA, extracurricular activities, portfolio, essay, letters of recommendation and even video submissions. We received hundreds of applications and narrowed down to 14 finalists, who were interviewed via Zoom. In 2024, we will award $8,000 to seven students. Since the program’s inception in 2011, ATG has awarded $118,500+ in scholarships to 92 exceptional AAPI students across the nation.
We are thrilled to announce this year’s outstanding seven winners who inspired us with their action, service, creativity and leadership. They truly exemplify what it means to Go Against The Grain…
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- Lavender An – #LiveLikeLyly Artistic Scholarship
- Brianna Chang – Artistic Scholarship
- Rei Kimura – Artistic Scholarship
- Madi Murphy – Thear Sy Suzuki R.I.S.E. Scholarship
- Emily Okamoto – Artistic Scholarship
- Yezy Suh – Artistic Scholarship
- Jessica “JT” To – Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship
Lavender An | #LiveLikeLyly Artistic Scholarship
Dacula, GA | Rhode Island School of Design | Apparel Design | Korean
IG: @lavendertheflower
To me, going Against The Grain means breaking away from societal expectations and norms to stay true to my values and identity. It’s about embracing the challenges of being different and using those differences to create something meaningful. For me, it’s about not conforming to the pressures of assimilation and, instead, celebrating the unique aspects of my Korean American heritage. Going Against The Grain is an act of courage, choosing to pave my path, even when it’s difficult, to express who I am authentically and make an impact through my art.
I go Against The Grain by using my art to challenge conventional narratives and explore the complexities of the Korean American experience. Through my work, I address themes like assimilation, family dynamics, and cultural heritage, often focusing on the tensions that arise between generations. By sharing personal stories, I shed light on the emotional toll of navigating dual identities and the impact on familial relationships. My art defies expectations by combining traditional techniques with modern elements, creating a unique visual language that resonates with diverse audiences. Through exhibitions and community engagement, I create spaces for dialogue and reflection, encouraging others to confront their own experiences and assumptions. In this way, my art becomes a tool for advocacy, pushing boundaries and fostering empathy within and beyond my community.”
Brianna Chang | ATG Artistic Scholarship
Temecula, CA | Berklee College of Music | Contemporary Writing & Production | Taiwanese
Listen to Brianna’s music compositions here.
“Going Against The Grain is the strength to stay resilient and to move forward despite how difficult it may be to see the light ahead of you. Having the strength to do something unconventional that is not widely accepted. We are all aware of struggles that life throws at us nonstop, but that’s why it is so important to be your biggest supporter, that the hardest obstacle in your path is ultimately yourself. Going Against the Grain to me has always been how different experiences can change you, but also what you want to positively do about it.
I go Against the Grain by trying my best to stay open-minded but also taking what I have learned from my experiences to make the best decisions for myself: being my biggest fan. Believe it or not, I find it more difficult being in my twenties to make decisions that are right for me. I’ve had to re-learn and unlearn many old habits that were considered normal to me. Naturally being sensitive to around me, I realized that I lacked the belief that life was fully in my control, and that I put too much pressure in perfecting “me.” It ultimately wasn’t “me,” but just a reflection of everything I was insecure about: Not having my life together, being jobless, and not being the best version of me. But I ended up neglecting the part of me that enjoyed the little things in life, the me that valued being unapologetically myself. The truth is, I will never have my life together, but I go Against the Grain by accepting the fact that that is okay. Staying open-minded that I can always learn more drives me to stay curious and motivated that I can always take something out of anything.”
Rei Kimura | Artistic Scholarship
Brattleboro, VT | Belmont University | Songwriting | Japanese Irish
See Rei’s work here.
“To me, to go Against the Grain means to think outside the box. Rather than following the same beaten path, I always try to approach problems with an innovative mindset. I think it’s important to think divergently and to work with others to find the strongest solution. I believe our greatest strengths can be found through embracing differences rather than seeking similarities. When faced with a task, I welcome those with perspectives that differ from mine, to listen and pool our ideas together to find understanding that will help us build the best final product possible.
I go Against The Grain through my work as a musician because I represent a small percentage of the music industry as an Asian-American, female, singer / songwriter. Only 22.3% of artists are women, 12.8% are songwriters, and 2.8% are producers. Through my own experience touring and performing, I have dealt with both race and gender related discrimination. I spent the past two summers working as an instructor and fundraising coordinator at Institute for the Musical Arts (IMA) in Goshen, Massachusetts. IMA is a non-profit music education organization serving girls and women, which aims to expand career opportunities for women in the music industry. In the last year, I also worked on a Vermont venue’s Women’s History Month program called “Grrrls to the Front” – a multi-pronged initiative to create systemic change through empowering and connecting musicians affected by gender issues. In creating, performing, educating, and encouraging other young women to develop their musical and technical skills, I hope to improve the gender gap and underrepresentation of women in music, as there’s no better way to ignite systematic change than through education.”
Madi Murphy | Thear Sy Suzuki R.I.S.E. Scholarship
Delray Beach, FL | University of Michigan | Communications & Media | Chinese Adoptee
Support Madi’s family’s nonprofit here.
“When someone goes Against The Grain they not only break down barriers, but they set a new standard. They are the ones stepping outside the box and creating change. They face adversity. They face hardship. They struggle. But they are the ones who use these lessons to bring them up, not tear them down. Throughout my life, I have gone Against The Grain. My experiences with my family taught me not to be afraid when something happens but to use it to find a purpose and make myself better.
At four years old, my parents told me they were going to China to adopt a two-year-old boy. Little did I know, Daniel had a serious heart condition that would only give us months together. After weeks of trips to the hospital, I learned that my brother had passed away. In 2016, my family started a nonprofit organization in Daniel’s memory: Open Hearts for Orphans. My desire to help children with special needs was sparked by Daniel’s broken heart. My brother taught me to bravely accept my own imperfections and know that I can power through any challenge. I have secured my seat at The University of Michigan, where I will study Media and Communications. Even though my parents didn’t leave college with a four-year degree, they’ve taught me invaluable lessons about seeing the world through a different lens, and I plan to cross the finish line for all of them – those who gave me life, and those who gave me love. I am ready to embrace this power within me and ignite my passion.”
Emily Okamoto | Artistic Scholarship
Irvine, CA | The Juilliard School | Dance | Japanese
Watch Emily’s choreographic film here.
“I am a dancer that creates and expresses myself at the intersection of identity, culture and grief. To me, going Against The Grain means intertwining these values with my efforts in activism to create original works that are authentic and will translate through movement. I want to explore this artistic purpose and my place in the arts world as a Japanese American.
Examples of my mission to go Against the Grain can be found in one of my interdisciplinary projects called 永遠 (EIEN): FOREVER. This choreographic film reflects the intergenerational trauma of my grandmother’s incarceration camp, a theme that perpetually drives my work, movement and place in the world as a Japanese-American. My journey in activism began when I organized my first protest in middle school by leading students in the National School Walkout against gun violence. Following this, I co-founded the Japanese Student Association club at my high school, where my co-founder and I led discussions on racism and identity, organized volunteer events and led a safe environment for processing concerns about the increasing violence in our communities. In 2024, I continue to try and lead my communities as an Orientation Leader, Campus Activities Board member, and founder/president of the Juilliard Asian Student Alliance. I will carry these goals and intertwine these values as a selected choreographer for the season’s upcoming performance, Choreo Comp, where I will be exploring my complex, traditional Japanese identity.”
Yezy Suh | Artistic Scholarship
San Diego, CA | New York University | Film & Television | Korean
See Yezy’s work here.
“Going Against The Grain means becoming a catalyst for amplifying Asian narratives. By finding resilience in stories of the Asian diaspora, we can continue to shed light on underrepresented stories and break down the flurry of stereotypes and misconceptions in mainstream media.
In my explorations of Korean identity in film, I have sought to subvert the monolithic portrayal of the Asian American experience – strict parents and math wizards – and show how richly diverse our stories can be. I use vulnerability as a strength in my storytelling as I shed light on my culture, family, and values that are often overlooked. I delve into the universality of the push and pull of identity: trying to force yourself into the American cultural fabric while recognizing the unique voice that Asian families carry. Filmmaking has provided the space for me to utilize empathy as a source of social change, and I feel a responsibility for portraying these underrepresented stories authentically. I will continue my mission of exposing Western media to the unique intricacies of Asian American narratives, as that is something that I have found truthfulness in.
Jessica “JT” To | Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship
Stone Mountain, GA | University of Southern California | PR & Advertising | Vietnamese
See Jessica’s work here.
“Going Against The Grain means embracing the label of “problem maker” while pushing boundaries to create meaningful change. For me, it meant stepping away from the expectation of taking over my family’s business and pursuing a path in advertising and civic engagement. In a culture where tradition often defines success, I chose to use my creativity to uplift underserved communities. It’s not just about rejecting norms but turning adversity into leadership. By defying expectations, I’ve redefined success on my terms, building a future driven by purpose, not conformity.
I go Against The Grain by challenging the path others laid out for me and creating my own. Growing up, I was constantly reminded of my “fate” to take over my family’s nail salon, but that vision never fit who I wanted to be. The pandemic opened my eyes to a world outside tradition, pushing me to explore what mattered most to me: using my creativity to uplift marginalized communities. Going Against The Grain isn’t just about saying no to expectations — it’s about actively seeking discomfort to grow. As an introvert, I threw myself into leadership roles, organizing community service events that helped feed thousands in Atlanta. Transferring to a new college for more opportunities was another leap of faith, showing me that breaking away from comfort zones can lead to incredible outcomes. Where tradition said “stay,” I chose to move forward. I’m now on the path to a Master’s degree in PR and Advertising, with a mission to redefine what success looks like for me and my community. Going Against The Grain has empowered me to challenge norms, lead with purpose, and build a future fueled by creativity, not convention.”
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