Background & Journey to the U.S.

Sanghyun Lee moved to the U.S. from Korea on December 14, 2014, shortly after her first child turned one. She chose the U.S. over remaining in Korea (where she was born and raised) or returning to China (where she worked) because she believed it offered the best opportunities for children to grow up playing freely in nature.

Experiences in Dayton

Starting over was challenging. Sanghyun was a new mom, in a new community, in a new country. Her first connection point was the ASPIRE ESOL classes, where she made lasting friendships and began giving back by volunteering as a classroom assistant. She later participated in a World A’Fair and other cultural community events and became a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate).

When she started working at Dayton Metro Library as youth-focused staff, she created programs to connect immigrant families to library resources and build bridges between cultures, especially for those who might not have seen the library as a space for them.

Feeling Welcome

Sanghyun believes Dayton is emotionally open to immigrants. She was excited to discover Welcome Dayton as part of the city, and small moments, like seeing the library’s World Language Collection or being valued as a CASA volunteer, made her feel seen. She shares that she has faced stereotypes, but she has also met many others in Dayton who share similar experiences and show up with compassion and support.

Contributions to Dayton

As a mom and educator, Sanghyun focuses on supporting families and children—whether through volunteer work, professional programs, or simply being an engaged member of the community. She is passionate about inclusion and advocacy for the next generation.

Vision for Diversity in Dayton

Diversity is more than race or immigration status—it includes ability, gender, age, size, socio-economic background, and more. Sanghyun believes Dayton is slowly moving in the right direction. She adds, “with mutual learning, systemic support, and intentional effort, we can create a truly inclusive city.”

Hopes for the Future

Sanghyun would love to see Dayton become more human-focused where people are given second chances and more attention is paid to intersectional identity. For example, immigrant events should be in accessible locations, and materials for single parents who are immigrants should be available in multiple languages. She adds, “we all have intersectional identities that deserve recognition.”