Meet Jessie.
ID: A smiling Chinese American woman with thick black hair, wearing round glasses, a white sweater, and a necklace. She is surrounded by cherry blossoms.
Hi, I’m Jessie!
I’m a researcher, writer/illustrator, and community organizer residing in Seattle, WA (Duwamish). I hold a Master of Science in Human Centered Design & Engineering, a Bachelor of Science in Informatics, and a minor in Diversity all from the University of Washington. I’m fluent in both English and American Sign Language, and I’m slowly learning Japanese (日本語). For what it’s worth, I am a U.S. citizen by birth, so I do not need visa sponsorship. Currently, I work at API Chaya as the Disability Justice Community Organizer & Program Coordinator.
In my role at API Chaya, I support survivors of gender-based violence (domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking) through community education, prevention activities, and trainings on building healthy, resilient relationships and accountable communities. To date, I’ve given multiple presentations on Disability Justice through a trauma-informed lens in English and ASL and facilitated meaningful dialogues from a place of safety and wellness.
Above all, I love narratives and listening to people tell stories.
From a young age, I devoured countless stories between paperback covers and title cards to the point that I became fluent in speed-reading rapid-fire The Tatami Galaxy subtitles. To me, stories are human news, our raison d’etre — our reason for existence.
Narratives cannot exist without relationships. When I engage in thoughtful conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, I travel to their worlds as a humble tourist. My identity as a d/Deaf & hard of hearing Chinese American woman contributes to my curiosity and appreciation for people’s unique experiences, narratives, and relationships.
Because I recognize and experience exclusion and differences, I advocate for inclusive design and accessibility in everything I do, from community-based participatory research to group facilitation. I believe in creating and sustaining opportunities for people to live — to thrive — to share their experiences, no matter what they are or where they come from.
Because when we lift one person up, we lift up everyone else.
I am actively seeking roles in UX research, design, community education, writing, editing, and art. If anything resonates with you, I’d love to chat with you!
Please email jessie.ly.zhang [at] gmail [dot] com, or contact me on LinkedIn. ありがとうございます！