Throughout May we have recognized and celebrated our Asian American and Pacific Islander team members at Enterprise. While AAPI Heritage Month is coming to a close, we know AAPI heritage and history influences us year-round.
This week, get to know South Florida Accounting Supervisor, Lili P. Lili shares how her family’s journey to where they are now has shaped her as a person, why her AAPI heritage is important to her, and how she shares wisdom and lessons she’s learned on her journey with her Enterprise team.
When reflecting on your AAPI heritage, what do you think of?
When I think about my AAPI heritage, I recall stories my mom has told me of my family’s journey to where we are currently.
Her family became war refugees and escaped from Vietnam to Hainan, China. My mother was forced to give up on her education and work at a hotel to provide for her family. There she met my dad, who had followed his Shifu (chef mentor) to Hainan from his hometown of Guangzhou.
After I was born, my mom and I returned to my dad’s hometown. His U.S. citizen sponsorship was approved, he moved to the U.S., and thus began our journey here.
My mom and I continued to live in Guangzhou for 10 years and then reunited with my dad in Florida. I spoke only Cantonese and Mandarin, had to learn English, and repeated third grade here. The transition felt impossible at the time, but I overcame that hurdle!
My family and I are very proud of our traditions. My family still hosts huge gatherings for Chinese New Year, where my mom continues to make my favorite dish, ginger and scallion lobster. My parents have owned a Chinese restaurant in the town I grew up in for over eight years!
Why is your heritage important to you?
My AAPI heritage is the foundation of my success. My family worked extremely hard to chase the “American Dream.” Their drive inspired me to attain a level of education never available to them.
My parents beamed with pride when I graduated as a first-generation college student. I’m proud of my success and grateful for the opportunities my parents provided me. I love working at a company like Enterprise where everyone belongs, and my team feels like a second family. Many of my coworkers have immigrant roots which help us relate to each other and the communities we serve.
Like many Asian Americans, my journey hasn’t been without adversity. I vividly recall my experiences in fourth grade, when I was teased due to my inability to articulate myself. I experienced verbal attacks, theft of my school supplies and even physical altercations. Those experiences shaped me and how I work with my team now.
Is there an AAPI person who inspires you?
My mother has always been an inspiration to me. She doesn’t give up when times get hard. She thinks outside the box to come up with a solution in any situation. Her life outlook sticks with me every day, reminding me that tomorrow is not promised and to make today the best I can. I strive to share this bit of my inspiration with my team when we face obstacles at work. Nothing is impossible when you have a team full of supportive teammates!
What do you think people can do to raise awareness and learn about important issues that impact the AAPI community?
I think many AAPI individuals share a past similar to my own, with families that came to America looking for a better future. Treat others the way that you want to be treated. If you wouldn’t scrutinize yourself for looking different or being from another place, you shouldn’t do that to anyone else. You never know what someone has had to overcome. Have an open ear and an open mind when it comes to learning about AAPI heritage.
What excites you about your Enterprise future?
When I think about my Enterprise future, what excites me the most is the connections I continue to make. The amount of support and encouragement team members provide each other at Enterprise is beyond what I’ve experienced at any other company. I have learned so much from my mentors and I know I have much more to learn. I also look forward to developing the next generation of Enterprise accountants.