Interviewee:
Rachel TonThat (she/her)
In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative.
We are a community group and small nonprofit working to build an AAPI community in the North Shore through social events, civic engagement, and collaborations with allies. Currently we’re an all volunteer staff, and if you are AAPI or an ally and have any interest in getting involved, please reach out!
Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do. Share your passions for your business, organization, or initiative.
We are the first AAPI community group in the North Shore. Many of our members grew up here and remember the isolation of being one of the few AAPI families around. We came together to slowly build a network that people can reach out through and to increase the visibility of AAPI presence and culture in this region.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that had an impact on you?
The Making of Asian America by Professor Erika Lee at Harvard, who also came to Salem to meet with us! It’s a comprehensive history of Asians in America and the formation of our political and cultural identities.
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you or your business?
We are only about one year old. People have come up to us asking if we’ve been around for awhile, and are always surprised to learn we just started.
What is Creative Collective?
Creative Collective delivers comprehensive business services – marketing promotion, technical assistance, business consulting, and advocacy at all levels – for Essex County entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators. We support the whole person, not just the business, through a collaborative community where members learn from each other, not just from us, because we know thriving businesses are built by thriving humans supporting each other. Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join
