It was September 2020, and Jennifer Chen had just joined TAP-SF after her cross-country move from Washington DC to San Francisco earlier that year. “I had been to a few TAP events during my time in Boston and DC; following my move, I wanted a way where I could not only build a community but also partake in social activities with those who identified similarly as me”.
During the nearly three years that Jenn has been a part of TAP-SF, she has run the gamut with the roles and functions that she’s held, from starting off as a professional development committee member to becoming the organization’s internal vice president, and now, president of TAP-SF. During her time with this group, she observes how she is “constantly impressed by how dedicated this community is in furthering its mission on their own time.”
For Jenn, there are too many memories that have been built with the organization over the years for her to just choose a favorite one. “My most favorite moments have been the moments when a board member discovers their own way of connecting with the community, and then I see their spark go off!” From board members who use TAP-SF as a professional development opportunity to build their creative skills to others who discover a newfound passion through the work they do with TAP, Jenn says that these breakthroughs are “particularly rewarding” for her to witness.
“As president of TAP-SF, I am humbled when I see a board member uncover their interests and grow during their tenure on the board. I am proud of all of the events we put on for the Bay Area, and I love seeing folks on the board support one another across our various events, committees, and initiatives. I am grateful to see that we have created a brave space for folks to be vulnerable in front of each other: learning from our own mistakes, sharing our own personal stories, and providing feedback to each other openly.”
1) How has being a part of TAP-SF influenced, supported, or otherwise strengthened your connection to your Taiwanese identity?
I personally identify as Taiwanese, and during my time supporting TAP-SF, I have met many other people who also identify as Taiwanese or as Taiwanese American. Most of my connections with those people have felt natural, and it has then opened up the space for me to build new friendships and then to discuss with them what it means to be Taiwanese.
This can take place in a small form – through conversations about whether we like stinky tofu or not; or a medium form – through discussions about what to showcase at our Taiwanese American Cultural Festival and how we would like to tell our stories; or in a much larger form – through a dialogue about our identity and what it means to be Taiwanese here in the Bay Area. I have experienced each one of these forms via my TAP-SF community, and so being in TAP-SF has definitely helped me explore the intricacies of being Taiwanese.
TAP-SF is also part of a larger national organization called the Taiwanese American Citizens League (TACL), and through the semi-annual conventions put together by TACL, I have been able to strengthen my connections with not only Taiwanese and Taiwanese Americans in the Bay Area, but throughout the country as well. It really is an amazing network.
2) What’s been your biggest discovery upon joining the TAP community/the TACL network?
I love the diversity of our community. Even within our TAP-SF board, we are diverse in terms of how we identify, what we do professionally, our age group and our hobbies. The coming together of a diverse group on a shared vision and mission is what I love about TAP-SF and TACL.
3) In your opinion, why is it important for heritage and identity-based organizations to exist for different heritage communities and community members?
I was born in Taiwan and came to the US for the first time for college. In the first few years, I really missed home, and whenever I went back to Taiwan to visit family, it always felt like home. I’ve now lived in the US - believe it or not - longer than I have lived in Taiwan. I’m often confused about my identity: when I am in the US, I feel more Taiwanese; when I am in Taiwan, I feel more American. It’s a strange feeling.
As a result, when I’m in the US, I find myself constantly seeking the opportunity to connect with a community that has shared experiences as me. And through TAP-SF, I have found that. I find myself craving for the opportunity to go eat Taiwanese food without having to explain the dishes, dialogue about the intricacies of being ‘Taiwanese,’ and ask a friend to grab boba without needing to justify why it’s good.
Outside of that, I believe that it is important for an organization like TAP-SF to exist because the culture, values, and heritage of Taiwanese and Taiwanese Americans are constantly evolving. It is valuable for us to continue to connect with our communities to learn about what we do not know, and also to share about our own identities with the rest of the Bay Area.
We are also so much more than what folks see on the news or in the media. In this day and age, representation and anti-discrimination efforts are more important than ever. It is critical for us to be present and visible in our communities because as we witness hate crimes around the country, we are there to form a community of support for those impacted, and to stay visible so that we are there to tell our own stories, and not have others tell our stories for us.
4) What does it mean to you to be able to lead one of the largest Taiwanese American community organizations in the Bay Area?
I am honored and humbled to be in this role. Sometimes I forget that we are a 100% volunteer organization because the folks on the board are so committed, intentional, and passionate about the work that we do.
I believe that TAP-SF is a critical anchor for the Taiwanese and Taiwanese American community in the Bay Area. It is an organization that welcomes folks new to the Bay Area, cultivates opportunities for people from all walks of life to learn about Taiwan, and connects our community throughout changes and challenges impacting AAPIs. I look forward to furthering our mission in the years to come!
