As we wrap up Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we’re spotlighting a colleague who’s helping shape a more inclusive future for our college: Cherisse Smith, coordinator of DEI education in the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

Cherisse joined the Office of DEI in February. “I have brought a passion for creating meaningful learning experiences and supporting inclusive growth across the college,” she said. 

Originally from Detroit, she holds a bachelor’s in social work and a master’s in college student personnel with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. 

“Over the past five years, I have dedicated my career to advocating for marginalized student populations and developing trainings and workshops that encourage dialogue around equity and inclusive excellence,” Cherisse said. 

In her role, Cherisse leads educational programs for students, staff, and faculty, encouraging all of us to engage with “diverse cultures, perspectives, and lived experiences” in meaningful ways. 

“Whether I’m guest speaking in classes, designing resources, or collaborating with university partners, my goal is to help the ACES community strengthen its commitment to equity and inclusion and prepare to thrive in a diverse global society,” she concluded. 

In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month, Cherisse has curated a list of resources exploring AANHPI contributions in agriculture, food systems, and family life — core areas of impact across ACES disciplines.

Resource Guide

Books

• This Bittersweet Soil: The Chinese in California Agriculture, 1860–1910 by Sucheng Chan — This scholarly work delves into the significant contributions of Chinese immigrants to California's agricultural development during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chan, a pioneering Asian American historian, provides a comprehensive analysis of the social, economic, and political challenges faced by Chinese agricultural laborers.
• America Is in the Heart: A Personal History — A semi-autobiographical novel that chronicles Bulosan's experiences as a Filipino immigrant laborer in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. The narrative offers a poignant look into the lives of migrant farmworkers, highlighting themes of exploitation, resilience, and the pursuit of the American dream. ​
• All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki — This novel follows Yumi Fuller, a Japanese American woman who returns to her family's Idaho potato farm amidst debates over genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Ozeki weaves a story that explores environmental activism, family dynamics, and the complexities of modern agriculture.
• Eating Asian America: A Food Studies Reader Contributing essay by Nina F. Ichikawa — This anthology examines the intersections of food, culture, and identity within Asian American communities. Ichikawa's essay contributes insights into agricultural practices and food justice, drawing from her extensive work in food policy and advocacy. ​
• Kō: An Ethnobotanical Guide to Hawaiian Sugarcane Cultivars by Noa Lincoln — Drawing from a decade of fieldwork, historical research, and traditional knowledge, Lincoln documents over 100 native and heirloom sugarcane varieties cultivated by Native Hawaiians prior to European contact, as well as those introduced from other Pacific regions and early commercial hybrids. The guide delves into the ethnobotanical aspects of kō, highlighting its uses in food, medicine, and cultural practices, and features more than 370 color photographs to aid in identification. By bridging indigenous wisdom with contemporary agricultural insights, this work underscores the importance of preserving traditional crops to foster sustainable, place-based farming systems in Hawaiʻi and beyond.
• Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change by Angela Garbes — In this compelling work, Filipina American author Angela Garbes explores the undervaluing of caregivers, particularly highlighting experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Drawing from her own heritage and her parents' careers as caregivers, Garbes delves into the racial and economic inequities faced by women, especially women of color, in caregiving roles. The book advocates for fair labor practices, economic equality, and the recognition of caregiving as essential labor, emphasizing the need for a better social safety net for caregivers.
• Building Community, Chinatown Style: A Half Century of Leadership in San Francisco Chinatown by Gordon Chin — Gordon Chin, a founding member of the Chinatown Community Development Center in San Francisco, provides a firsthand account of grassroots efforts to produce meaningful social change. The book is rich with local history and stories of resistance, highlighting how community leadership can improve lives.

YouTube/ Social Media

• "Asian American Farmers Look Back to Go Forward" (Smithsonian CULINASIA Series) — This panel discussion, presented by the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art, delves into the historical and contemporary roles of Asian American farmers in the U.S. It features personal narratives that shed light on the challenges and triumphs faced by these communities in the agricultural sector.
• “The Impact of Family Caregiving on AAPI Communities” (AARP Real Conversations) — This panel discussion features AAPI family caregivers sharing their experiences, challenges, and the cultural nuances of caregiving within their communities
• Stories of Asian Farmers in California" (KQED) — This documentary explores the significant yet often overlooked contributions of Asian and Asian American farmers in California's agriculture industry. It highlights their enduring legacy and the cultural heritage they bring to farming practices.
• "A Taiwanese-American Farmer Returns to Her Roots" (Cultural Roots Nursery) — This short film profiles Li Schmidt, a Taiwanese-American farmer who cultivates Asian heritage vegetables in Sacramento, California. It showcases her journey of reconnecting with cultural roots through sustainable farming.​
• Hawaiʻi – Indigenous Agriculture (PBS) — This episode from PBS Hawaiʻi's "Insights" series discusses how traditional Native Hawaiian agricultural practices can address modern challenges like food insecurity and climate change. It features interviews with farmers and experts who are applying ancestral knowledge to contemporary farming. ​

Articles

• Deeply Rooted: How Asian American Farmers Shaped U.S. Agriculture
• Podcast
• Minari and the Real Korean-American Immigrants Who Have Farmed U.S. Soil for More Than a Century
• A Concise Review of Current Lignin Production, Applications, Products and Their Environmental Impact"
• Balancing Sleep and Study: Cultural Contexts in Family Informatics for Taiwanese Parents and Children"

University Department

• Asian American Cultural Center
  1210 W. Nevada Street -Urbana, IL 61801
  217-333-9300
  Email: aacc@illinois.edu