The Ideation phase of Keiki Stories was the easiest part; scoring highly in thinking and brainstorming, the idea of creating a non-profit to produce children’s books came naturally. Creating children's stories combined three of my passions—creative writing, understanding differences and cultural heritage, and helping the next generation—so it then seemed obvious that Keiki Stories was something I wanted to pursue.

The hardest part was the drive required to create Keiki Stories. Thankfully, I had two aspects of my personality—“catalyst” and “believer”—that helped me along the way. The “believer” trait describes my strong sense of “doing the right thing,” which helped me stay focused during the challenges I faced while building my non-profit. The “catalyst” trait, the ability to act and initiate action, may be inspired by my ADHD. What could be seen as impulsivity has often helped me complete important tasks promptly.

The ultimate goal of Keiki Stories is to celebrate the diversity and multitude of perspectives that kids share. I want children to see themselves in the stories they read, and I also want all children to be exposed to a variety of experiences so we can foster a kinder, more understanding world. I am committed to this goal because it addresses a gap I've noticed in stories about mixed-race kids. As a Thinker, Brainstormer, and Philomath, I know I can use my love of learning and deep thinking to create stories that reflect the complexity of mixed identities and affirm each child’s unique sense of self. I hope these books will help children, so they don’t have to struggle with their identity the way I did, but instead find comfort, representation, and a sense of belonging.