Houston's Asian American Journeys: Mal Bernardo
Produced in partnership with the University of St. Thomas MAX Studios and Yetter Coleman LLP
As a Chinese-Filipino and native Houstonian, Mal Bernardo is passionate about celebrating the region's diversity. Whether through connecting with students in her classroom or enjoying one of the many food stops in Houston, Mal embraces the city as she explores how her identity and understanding of her family's history have impacted her past and shape her thinking of the future.
On Family:
On Teaching:
About Mal Bernardo
A native Houstonian, Mal Bernardo is a high school English teacher who loves to hold conversations with her students about mental health, identity, and representation. In addition to her own Chinese-Filipino American experience, her studies at the University of Houston and Rice University has helped her advocate and make space for these important topics in the classroom. She also dabbles in many interests but spends most of her time trying out new recipes, analyzing film, and reading non-fiction. She pursued what she was passionate about and feels lucky to have the opportunity to impact our valuable youth.
About Houston's Asian American Journeys
In partnership with the University of St. Thomas MAX Studios, Asia Society Texas presents a new video series, Houston's Asian American Journeys. Through short video interviews with local Asian Americans, the series illuminates the voices that make up a vital part of the most diverse city in the U.S.
Featuring Houstonians who reflect the richness and diversity of the local Asian American communities, the series highlights a variety of experiences, cultures, religions, and ethnicities and explores themes of identity, memory, and shared humanity. In sharing these personal journeys, Asia Society Texas and the University of St. Thomas seek to build empathy and connectivity between people, as well as deepen our collective understanding of Asian American experiences in Houston.
About the University of St. Thomas
The University of St. Thomas is a comprehensive university, grounded in the liberal arts. Committed to the unity of all knowledge, we offer programs in the traditional liberal arts, professional, and skill-based disciplines. Graduates of the University of St. Thomas think critically, communicate effectively, succeed professionally and lead ethically.
By pursuing excellence in teaching, scholarship and service, we embody and instill in our students the core values of our founders, the Basilian Fathers: goodness, discipline and knowledge. We foster engagement in a diverse, collaborative community, and our student body reflects the rich diversity of the city itself. We welcome undergraduate and graduate students of all faiths and of no faith.
About UST Max Studios
In his lifetime, St. Maximilian Kolbe founded and ran a radio station and several publications. It is in this tradition that University of St. Thomas – Houston steps into the realm of digital content creation through MAX Studios. Inspired by St. Maximilian’s passion and emboldened by St. John Paul II’s words in his encyclical “Redemptoris Missio,” MAX Studios’ goal is to provide fresh monthly content and conversation. MAX Studios aims to encounter the surrounding culture while highlighting the diversity of the Catholic Faith Tradition.
About Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.
Series Sponsor
