Scholars of Color- Nikki Chan
What is Scholars of Color?
It is a platform in which scholars of color are purposefully celebrated. It’s a space where scholars of color are showcased front and center. It is a digital space where we feel empowered and resilient. Let us get to know each other. Let us cheer each other on AND show the world what we have to offer.
Let us now welcome Nikki Chan to the Scholars of Color space!
Name: Nikki Chan
Location: Stockton, CA
Gender Pronouns: she/her
What's your current occupation? (i.e. Student, Scientist, Coach, In transition, etc.): Exec Director
Without positions or titles, how would you describe yourself?: I am a creative community advocate who is driven by a passion for liberation, social Justice, and transformative power.
What are you passionate about?: Freedom of our people, television shows, intentional sleep and rest, and experiencing new ways to active creativity.
What does the representation of Scholars of Color mean to you?: That being a "scholar" doesn't have to start in a classroom or the letters by your name. As POC, we have and always continue to learn in community with others first.
If people are interested in getting connected to you, how can they?: email - nikki@emacstockton.org
Anything else you would like us to know?: Nikki Chan is a community advocate, graphic designer, small business owner, and journalist from Stockton, CA. She comes from a family of field workers of the “Manong” generation who immigrated to the Central Valley to work in the agricultural fields.
She uses her skills in design and journalism to raise voices of marginalized communities. She has designed for various social justice campaigns like Stop Asian Hate, get out the vote, and police-free schools. She has also written and published headlines at Fusion Media and Mahalaya.
She has lent her skills to city health initiatives like the Healthy Beverage Ordinance, Greenlining the Hood, and issues affecting Asian American Pacific Islanders. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities (EMAC) in Stockton, CA, an organization that serves and supports marginalized Southeast Asians by empowering communities through advocacy and healing from our present and past disparities to build an equitable and robust future. Some of EMAC’s programming includes supporting victims of violence, re-entry services, youth leadership development, and movement building.
On the side, Nikki runs her small food business Sarap Sa Chan, that specializes in Filipino and Asian inspired eats that are “yummy for your tummy” and shares taste that are reminiscent of your childhood. She was also finally diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and has been actively navigating and engaging in care practices that support those who are neurodivergent.
Thank you Nikki for sharing space with us!
Stay tuned everyone for more Scholars of Color profiles. Interested in being showcased yourself? Please email the Scholars of Color team at scholarsofcolor@reclaimingyourhappiness.com and we will get back to you shortly.
