An Interview With Vanessa Ogle
But perhaps my most personal moment of all — I was once that shy kid who didn’t want to stand out. I feared being different would make me an outsider. But with encouragement, I found my voice, founded the first Korean club at my high school, and started a leadership program that still inspires others today. If that quiet girl could grow into a leader, so can any child who reads my book.
In a world where diversity is often acknowledged but not always celebrated, we are taking a step forward to highlight the importance of inclusivity in building strong, vibrant communities. This series aims to explore the various facets of diversity — be it racial, cultural, gender-based, or within the differently-abled community — and understand how embracing these differences strengthens our social fabric. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Chelsea Chong Kim.
Chelsea Chong Kim is a dedicated award-winning children’s book author and former middle school math teacher. Her experiences growing up as a Korean-American in a diverse community have deeply influenced her storytelling. She is the author of Carol the Carrot Bowls for the Salad Bowl, inspired by her background in education and her commitment to celebrating diversity, leadership, and individuality in children.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about celebrating diversity, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Absolutely! My journey started in a middle school math classroom, where I spent over a decade watching young minds grow, challenge themselves, and navigate friendships. But something always tugged at my heart — the stories I wished I could tell, the lessons that went beyond equations and angles. That’s when I took the leap from teacher to author. I created Carol the Carrot Bowls for the Salad Bowl, a children’s book that celebrates diversity, leadership, and teamwork — values I saw my students struggle with and conquer every day. Now, I spend my days writing, speaking, and helping young readers see themselves as leaders in their own stories!
Can you share an interesting or hopeful story where spending time with someone who did not look like you or who was different from you taught you something that has been useful to you?
One of my most transformative experiences came from a student I’ll call David. He was new to the country, learning English, and trying to fit into a school system that didn’t quite embrace his uniqueness. Instead of trying to mold him into what was “expected,” I encouraged him to teach the class a few words from his language, and soon enough, the other students were engaging with him in a way that didn’t require perfect English. David taught me that leadership isn’t about being the loudest or the most fluent; it’s about connecting. And that’s a lesson I carry into my work as an author and speaker today.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
- Empathy: When I was a teacher, I had a student who was incredibly smart but lacked confidence. Instead of just pushing her academically, I asked about her dreams and fears. That small shift in approach helped her believe in herself, and she ended up leading our school’s debate team!
- Resilience: Transitioning from teaching to publishing was hard. There were rejections, self-doubt, and moments I questioned everything. But every “no” reminded me that I had a bigger purpose, and every setback fueled my next step forward.
- Creativity: I never saw storytelling as just words on a page — it’s an experience. That’s why I infused my books with characters who feel real, diverse, and vibrant. Because kids deserve stories that reflect them!
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a personal story that highlights the impact of diversity and inclusivity in your life or career?
Growing up as a Korean-American felt like living in two different worlds — one filled with my family’s rich traditions and another shaped by American expectations. I rarely saw kids who looked like me in the books I read, leaving me wondering where I truly fit in. This longing for representation shaped my path as both an educator and an author.
As a teacher, I made it my mission to ensure every student felt valued. I remember a student who had just moved to the U.S. and barely spoke in class, afraid his accent would make him stand out. Instead of pressuring him to fit in, I encouraged him to share his culture with his classmates. The change was incredible — his confidence soared, and he eventually took on leadership roles at school. That moment reinforced the power of inclusion and belonging.
Fast forward to my life as an author, and I see that same magic happening through my book. One moment that truly hit home was when a parent told me their child pointed at Carol the Carrot Bowls for the Salad Bowl and exclaimed, “She looks like me!” Another father shared how reading my book with his son sparked meaningful dinner conversations about leadership and courage. And a mother told me she finally found a way to teach her daughter about sportsmanship through Carol’s story.
But perhaps my most personal moment of all — I was once that shy kid who didn’t want to stand out. I feared being different would make me an outsider. But with encouragement, I found my voice, founded the first Korean club at my high school, and started a leadership program that still inspires others today. If that quiet girl could grow into a leader, so can any child who reads my book.
That’s why I do what I do — whether through teaching, writing, or speaking, I want every child to know their differences aren’t obstacles; they’re their greatest strengths.
How do you approach and manage the challenges that arise when working towards creating more inclusive communities?
By listening first. So often, inclusivity is seen as a checklist rather than a lived experience. I make it a point to involve real conversations, real voices, and real stories in everything I do.
What innovative strategies or initiatives have you implemented or observed that effectively promote the importance of diversity and inclusivity?
One of my favorite initiatives during my author visits is an interactive activity where students write letters to their future selves. In these letters, they describe what they want to be and what kind of leaders they aspire to become. Through this exercise, students reflect on their unique strengths and how they can contribute to a diverse world. During my presentations, I also highlight diversity through the themes in my book, helping students see themselves in different roles and leadership positions. These activities make learning about inclusivity engaging and personal, reinforcing that leadership comes in all forms.
In your opinion, what are the key elements that make a community truly inclusive, and how can these be fostered on a larger scale?
- Representation
- Active Listening
- Equity in Opportunity
- Storytelling that Reflects the World
- Celebrating Differences, Not Just Tolerating Them
Ok super. Here is the main question of our interview. Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways We Can Build Inclusive Communities”? If you can, please share a story or an example for each.
1 . Representation Matters — Books, media, and education should reflect the world we live in.
2 . Inclusive Conversations — Invite voices from different backgrounds to the table.
3 . Empowering Kids Early — Teach leadership through diverse stories and role models.
4 . Cultural Exchange Programs — Encourage schools and workplaces to engage in experiences beyond their norm.
5 . Support Diverse Creators — Buy, share, and celebrate works by people of different backgrounds.
How do you measure the impact and success of diversity and inclusion efforts, and what changes have you seen as a result of these initiatives?
Success is when a child reads Carol the Carrot and feels like they belong. It’s when a school librarian says, “We needed this book.” It’s when communities start normalizing diversity instead of treating it as an exception.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
The Salad Bowl Movement! Instead of a melting pot where differences disappear, I want kids to see the beauty in standing out while coming together. A world where individuality is celebrated, and leadership isn’t about fitting in, but about shining.
How can our readers further follow you online?
Join me on my journey!
- Instagram: @chelseastory_nook
- YouTube: @chelseastorynookpodcast — Join me for engaging storytelling and insightful conversations!
- Website: Chelsea’s Story Nook
- Store: Chelsea’s Story Nook Store
Let’s build a world where every child sees themselves as a leader!
Grow Strong, Stay Rooted! Let’s Carrot On!
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you continued success in your great work!
About The Interviewer: Vanessa Ogle is a mom, entrepreneur, inventor, writer, and singer/songwriter. Vanessa’s talent in building world-class leadership teams focused on diversity, a culture of service, and innovation through inclusion allowed her to be one of the most acclaimed Latina CEO’s in the last 30 years. She collaborated with the world’s leading technology and content companies such as Netflix, Amazon, HBO, and Broadcom to bring innovative solutions to travelers and hotels around the world. Vanessa is the lead inventor on 120+ U.S. Patents. Accolades include: FAST 100, Entrepreneur 360 Best Companies, Inc. 500 and then another six times on the Inc. 5000. Vanessa was personally honored with Inc. 100 Female Founder’s Award, Ernst and Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Enterprising Women of the Year among others. Vanessa now spends her time sharing stories to inspire and give hope through articles, speaking engagements and music. In her spare time she writes and plays music in the Amazon best selling new band HigherHill, teaches surfing clinics, trains dogs, and cheers on her children.
Please connect with Vanessa here on linkedin and subscribe to her newsletter Unplugged as well as follow her on Substack, Instagram, Facebook, and X and of course on her website VanessaOgle.
Celebrating Diversity: Author Chelsea Chong Kim On How To Build Inclusive Communities was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.