‘My race and gender are not obstacles. They’re gifts.’ + Nikki Toyama-Szeto

At the end of 2021, the NY Police Department reported a 361 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes since the year prior. New York City is the first place we've lived among so many Asian American neighbors — and the place we've been introduced to the rich diversity of the Asian American experience. Yet, it's also been the place that's opened our eyes to the violence, harmful stereotypes and erasure our AAPI neighbors face. On this episode, Katelyn and Roxy talk with Nikki Toyama-Szeto about how she's learned to lead authentically from both her race and gender — finding the gifts God has given her through both. She also shares some of her family's story as survivors of the Japanese internment camps in the U.S. during World War II. GUEST: Nikki Toyama-Szeto is the executive director at Christians for Social Action, the author of God of Justice and host of the 20 Minute Takes podcast.