46 Ly Pham Rivera
In 2008, I was a co-host for a Vietnamese diaspora talk show amplifying authors, political activists, nonprofit founders, and business owners in our communities. Continuing the theme of advocacy, I’ve promoted volunteer projects tied to The Global Goals for vacationers to give back to the local people and places they visit. Since 2021, my focus has been on self-improvement and creative practices to heal myself, and hopefully others, while uniting people through dance music as a DJ. Though I’m still a beginner, DJing events in San Francisco has provided a platform to expose audiences to socially conscious music, which I’ve termed: melodies with a message. Powerful lyrics with tunes that resonate can uplift people and expand minds. According to the American Psychiatric Association, “Research has shown that exposure to diverse musical genres and artists can broaden perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and foster empathy among listeners especially when dancing together.”
