Nehemiah Park

Nehemiah Park was born and raised in Arizona to Korean immigrant parents. Although his parents were not religious, his family found community and belonging through their local Korean church. As a young man, Nehemiah dreamed of becoming a youth pastor who would guide young Korean Americans find their identities in the same way that his pastors guided him. In this interview, Nehemiah discusses how living in Korea made him realize his Korean American identity is a strength. He uses his identity to not only bridge the gap between Koreans and Americans, but also between first and second generation Korean Americans as well. Now, he dreams of opening a school in Korea where low-income students would have access to the quality of education and guidance they need to help them succeed.