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In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the Washington Spirit is celebrating the community members and leaders making change, empowering others, and leaving a lasting impact on the DMV community through the latest edition of District Diaries.
Jimmy Lynn (he/him)
Jimmy Lynn is a dedicated change-maker committed to mentoring, giving back, and advocating for representation. He is the Co-Founder and Vice President of Business Development at Kiswe Mobile and serves as adjunct faculty and a senior advisor at Georgetown University.
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On AANHPI Month:
AANHPI Month is important to me personally. I’ve been teaching and mentoring AAPI students from under-served communities in the DMV for the past 25+ years … trying to create a more level playing field. I’m proud of my Asian heritage and strive to share best practices and life lessons.
On his background:
I’m bi-racial. My mother was of Asian heritage (Japanese) and my father was of Caucasian heritage (Irish, French, and German). I lived 13 years of my first 16 years in Japan. I was fortunate to have a blend of cultures.
On how his heritage has impacted his career:
“It’s been a key part of my life over the past three decades. From my corporate work to teaching to mentoring to non-profits, I’ve also worked on raising the visibility of the AAPI community to board rooms and the C-level. A decade ago, I was part of an AAPI group that held the meetings at the White House with a big focus on the AAPI community.”
On diversity in sports:
“Diversity is very important to the sports world. The demographics are changing dramatically in the U.S. and sports teams have done a good job of focusing on growing demographic segments including Hispanic, women, and LGBTQ+. Asian athletes are important role models and can change the perceptions of many.”
Songmi Kim (she/her)
Songmi Kim serves as an Athletic Performance Coach at the Spirit and is passionate about increasing representation in sports and fostering diversity.
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On AANHPI Month:
“I think it’s great to have a month dedicated to recognizing and celebrating these specific cultures’ contributions to the history and society of the USA. I’m from South Korea, and luckily, I’ve experienced multiple cultures which has shown me how amazing sports can be in a multicultural environment. Sports bring people together, no matter where they’re from, and give us a chance to share our own stories.”
On visibility:
“I grew up watching Korean athletes like Ji-Sung Park in soccer, Se-Ri Park in golf, and Chan Ho Park in baseball. Their visibility gave hope and passion to a lot of aspiring athletes back home, including me. I hope to have the same impact.”
On building inclusive work places:
“I’m fortunate to work with such a diverse group of staff and players. We often talk about our own cultures and life experiences. This not only helps us understand, respect, and support one another both at work and outside of it, but it also creates an inclusive environment for all.”
On the future:
“The sports world is becoming more diverse, and we’ll continue to see that increase. I’m excited about the prospect of seeing more Asian athletes, as their performances not only have the potential to reshape recognition of our heritage but they also serve as role models for children from similar backgrounds.”
Lahaina Mae Mondoñedo (she/her)
Lahaina is the co-founder of Every Person Run Club and is the Director of Member Marketing at Volo Sports. As a Filipino-American, she works to make all spaces inclusive for every identity.
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On AANHPI Month:
AANHPI Heritage Month means that my culture matters. My Filipino-American upbringing, the contributions my family and ancestors have had to society, and the impact I have on my immediate community, all play an essential part in shaping the way of life here in the United States. So personally, AANHPI Heritage Month reminds me of my privilege and responsibility of doing what I can to have a lasting positive impact.
On her Filipino heritage:
Filipinos are well-known for their hospitality, welcoming demeanor, and strong work ethic. I believe that having those traits and leaning into them have greatly helped me in my roles as a community builder and leader.
Both my parents are Filipino and I spent almost half my life in Asia—a lot of my beliefs, my skills, and my personality are greatly shaped by Filipino culture and customs. Fully embracing those means that I can be confident in who I am and what makes me unique.
On inclusivity:
I am passionate about creating safe spaces where people can have moments of connection and have the opportunity to better themselves, and I want those to be as accessible as possible.
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