2/25/2021
5:30PM
Via Instagram DM…
Sean: Hope everything’s well and you’re doing safe!
Maggie: Thank you! You too! It’s crazy out there! I am going to the protest this sat with my friend and hopefully it will make some difference. Be careful out there!
Sean: Can you send me details on the protest? I didn’t know there was one going on.
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Although Maggie Xue and I did not meet at the rally (not protest) hosted by AAF, we still chatted with one another. It was mainly through us sharing thoughts with one another when the other individual posted about a hate crime that happened within the AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans) community.
When I shared about my birthday donation fundraiser to Heart of Dinner, she sparked a conversation with me about wanting to raise money for the family of 46 years old Yong Zheng, a victim of an Asian hate crime.
Maggie: Yea he died of stepping up for others and lost his own life. Left his family without any source of income. Yea he’s so young. I will talk with my team and see how can we help.
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Soon after on March 16th, Us Two Tea was partnering with Activist Teahouse to raise money for the family of Zheng. 100% of the proceeds of the tea will be donated to them. More details can be found here. Please consider being a part of this education, discussion, and change.
After Maggie told me about this event, we decided to meet in person over some lunch at Noodle Village in Chinatown. This is one of the default places that she and JJ, Us Two Tea’s editor, always take their friends while in NYC! It was also going to be me first time meeting them, since social media is just such a powerful tool for connecting with one another.
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Tell me about Us Two Tea! How did it come about?
Tea is at the heart of Asian culture and it has always been a part of my life, yet the tea brands we know and love are not Asian. I think It is our generation’s responsibility to claim our culture and create a brand that represents us. I wanted to bring forth a really beautiful, high-quality product that could appeal to the new generations of tea drinkers here in America.
Since JJ, your editor, is also here, how did you 2 meet? And how many people are on the team?
We were ex-roommates in 2018 when I first started Us Two Tea. We have 12 people on the team right now, 2 full-time and JJ as the part-time editor. There’s also 9 interns working for Us Two Tea.
Is Us Two Tea your full-time job?
Yes, I put my heart and soul in it!
How has your company been doing these days, especially during the pandemic?
The pandemic didn't affect us because we are all e-commerce. I think the pandemic really shifts how people shop and expect from brands. They care more about the brand value, mission, and supporting local small businesses during these difficult times.
Tell me about the tea campaign that you’re raising money for Yong Zheng’s family?
We have partnered with Activist Teahouse's Project Tea for Change to support the Asian American community. On Saturday, April 10th, we’re offering a traditional tea tasting event. 100% of proceeds from the Blossom Tea Set will go to the wife and children of Yong Zheng - a Chinese immigrant, bus driver, and the sole provider of his family - who was fatally stabbed while trying to stop a robbery in March. Register for the event here.
How do you think others can help during these times?
Talk about this issue with your family and friends. Have that difficult conversation, donate, go to a protest and use your voice on social media to raise awareness.
What has been your fondest memory with tea? Do you have a favorite flavor?
Baozhong tea is my favorite! It was a ritual for my grandpa and I to drink tea together every weekend after our family dinner. I remember he would always ask me the same question, “How’s school?”, and I would always answer, “Good!”. That was our conversation. But I looked forward to it every weekend because I knew that was his way of saying “I love you”. People say food can transport you back to your childhood. For me, Baozhong is more than an afternoon tea, it is also a loving memory.
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Here are only a few of many many other AAPI Organizations to consider looking into:
It’s been a really really hard couple of weeks, and even months, for the AAPI community. With what my bandwidth is right now, honestly I am doing a lot. But is it wrong to say that I still feel like it’s not enough? There’s just so much pain right now amongst us and it really makes me uncomfortable seeing us suffer. So I want to help, and keep helping until hopefully things get better.
I hope whoever reads this feels this too. Again, please consider donating to Us Two Tea’s cause and to participate in their discussion to bring change on Saturday April 10th. Hope to see some of you all on field with me. And if you don’t really know how to start, please please reach out! Let’s have a friendly conversation. We can catch up and just have an engaging time with one another.
As always, stay safe and vigilant.
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