About Bo & Mei

My name is Mai (pronounced "my"), and I used to hate my name. Growing up Vietnamese American, I desperately wanted a name that sounded less foreign, that would just fit in. But it wasn’t just my name; it was the food I ate, the language I spoke at home, the shape of my eyes, the color of my skin; the list goes on. The world around me taught be to be ashamed of my Asianness.

I know I'm not alone. 1 in 3 US-born Asian Americans say they have hidden part of their heritage from those who are not Asian, according to a recent Pew study. Another study found that nearly 80% of Asian Americans feel they don't belong.

Now, as a mother raising two Asian American girls, I ask myself, “How can I make sure their Asian identity isn’t a source of shame and instead, a source of pride?”

But after decades hiding from my culture, I feel ill-equipped to carry on the traditions and customs of my heritage. I know others who feel similarly.

Naming this project after my girls, I decided to start Bo & Mei to strengthen cultural connection and appreciation.

We offer thoughtfully designed items and curated kits that make it easy to celebrate Asian culture with confidence.

Through our joy-filled kits, we hope to empower you to build the cultural bridges needed to create a world where everyone feels they belong.