Celebrating Asian American, Native Hawaiian, & Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Interview with Jonah Ballesteros

Written By Guest User

If Jonah Ballesteros could go back and give his younger self advice, it would be to embrace his identity, ask for help when needed, and practice self-compassion. “I would tell my younger self to be proud of my cultural heritage and embrace my identity as a Tagalog and Kapampangan,” Jonah shared, “Growing up, I struggled with my identity and felt ashamed of my background. Looking back, I wish I had recognized the beauty and richness of my culture and celebrated it more openly.”

Today, Jonah is passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion and promoting the full human potential of all students, staff, and families in Richardson ISD where he works as a program specialist. In his role, he supports the district’s literacy initiative for K-2 students, working with families to develop and enhance early literacy skills that parents can help reinforce at home. Additionally, he serves as a resource to connect families with organizations and services to support them and ensure any gaps in their needs are being met.

“My greatest hope and dream for the students of Richardson ISD is that they grow up to be compassionate, empathetic, and respectful members of their community,” shared Jonah. “I want to see students from all backgrounds and identities come together to celebrate their differences and embrace diversity, creating a culture of inclusivity and acceptance. I dream of a future where every student has access to the resources and support they need to succeed, regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, or background.”

Jonah is of Filipino heritage, specifically Tagalog and Kapampangan ethnolinguistic identity. In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we asked him to share why celebrating these heritages is important not only in the month of May but all year long:

Celebrating and honoring Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage is essential for several reasons. Firstly, it recognizes the rich and diverse history, culture, and contributions of AANHPI communities to the United States. AANHPI’s have significantly shaped American history and society, yet their stories and experiences have often been overlooked. By celebrating and honoring AANHPI heritage, we can amplify these voices and bring their contributions to the forefront.

Secondly, celebrating and honoring AANHPI heritage is essential for fostering understanding and respect between different communities. AANHPI’s have diverse cultural backgrounds, languages, religions, and traditions, and recognizing and appreciating these differences can lead to greater understanding and empathy.

Finally, celebrating and honoring AANHPI heritage is essential for promoting social justice and equity. AANHPIs have faced discrimination, marginalization, and violence throughout American history, and these issues persist today. By highlighting AANHPI’s contributions and experiences, we can challenge harmful stereotypes and promote a more inclusive and equitable society for all.

Jonah is very active in his community and in the United Methodist Church. As an expression of his Filipino heritage, his cultural identity, and his Christian faith which is also very important to him, Jonah helped develop Ka:ll (pronounced call), an AAPI community that aims to liberate and re-create a world in the image of the kin-dom of God. 

“We gather around food to expose and heal from AANHPI's invisibility caused by the model minority myth and reclaim our Christian faith. Our name is inspired by the Tagalog word kapwa, meaning "the self is in the other," and reflects our belief in the interconnectedness of all people and with living and non-living things alike. We celebrate our diverse heritage while recognizing our shared humanity, created in the image and likeness of God. Community, courage, revolutionary, restoration, and spicy AF (Asian food) are essential to us.”

Resources Recommended by Jonah: 

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