Honoring Heritage and Inspiring Leadership: AANHPI Heritage Month at Nonotuck

Nonotuck Resource Associates, Inc. was honored to recently host Massachusetts State Representative Tara Hong in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month this May. 

At just 25 years old, Representative Hong made history as the first Cambodian American elected to the Massachusetts Legislature, representing the 18th Middlesex District. Hong shared his compelling journey from rural Cambodia to Beacon Hill—a story marked by resilience, civic passion, and a deep commitment to his community. He detailed his family’s immigration to Lowell in 2013 after the death of his father, overcoming poverty, language barriers, and culture shock. He credited the support of his mother—who continues to work in a factory and recently enrolled in community college—and the strong Cambodian American community in Lowell as key to his adaptation and success.

Although he narrowly lost his first campaign in 2022, he persisted and secured victory in 2024. Hong’s election was not only a personal triumph but also a unifying moment for the Cambodian American community in Lowell.

Hong closed by encouraging young people to pursue their goals boldly: “Don’t let people put limits on what you can and can’t do. If you’re passionate about something, go for it—and never be afraid to ask questions.”

“Representative Hong’s story reminds us that leadership rooted in lived experience, love for community, and the courage to keep showing up—even when the odds seem stacked—is exactly what our world needs more of,” says Nonotuck CEO/President George H. Fleischner.  “At Nonotuck, we are honored to learn from voices like his as we continue in our perpetual quest  to build a culture that celebrates heritage, uplifts resilience, and inspires action.”