It is beautiful to have a blend and mix of cultures, but going in between worlds also brings with it a unique set of challenges. Whether that is communicating with parents on topics like dating, family, career or navigating a new system on your own, we noticed similarities between kids who grow up in first generation households.

When I grew up I started to naturally be different people in different places. It was a survival tactic if you may. As I grew older and my network of people and experiences expanded, I realized how unsustainable this was. It’s so much harder switching between the two constantly. Now, I’m at a different place, a place where I want those aspects of my life to meld a little more. I’m still figuring out what that will look like, and so I reached into this project – to see how others develop confidence in an identity when they have multiple ones.

Throughout the month of July, we talked to Challenge Detroit fellows who grew up in between worlds. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, these fellows identified as immigrants or children of immigrants. We conducted one on one interviews as well as held a meet up where fellows could come together and talk through their experiences. We asked them what school was like, how they related to parents, what they love about their cultural identity, what they wish they knew more about, and what they hope to pass on to children.

As we continue to gather footage for this project, we will showcase the rich diversity of these individual cultures, while also highlighting the experiences and moments that connect them.