young, educated & BROKE
An Introduction to Americas New Poor
2015 JAMIE BORROMEO.
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ISBN 978-1-63047-089-0 paperback
ISBN 978-1-63047-090-6 eBook
ISBN 978-1-63047-091-3 hardcover
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014933827
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Interior Design by:
Bonnie Bushman
Photographs by:
Adam Von Mack Paris Photography
Alloria Winters Photography
Kevin Hofer San Francisco Photography
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Acknowledgments
When I embarked on this project, I didnt really know what I was asking for. It took a village to write this book, and I am so grateful to the many friends and family who created an environment for me to give birth to these ideas. Ive shared such a big part of my heart with readers, and that is only because the following people shared their heart with me:
To all the Millennials who submitted testimonials, those who allowed me to publish your story and others who simply gave me insight into the lives of our generation: Thank you for clearing up the record for young people everywherefor making the unseen, seen; for making the invisible, visible.
To my literary attorney, Denise Gibbon of Above the Dotted Line, whom I call my Literary Angel: Thank you for your guidance without which this process would not have even been possible.
To the Morgan James publishing team: Thank you for this partnership and for giving me the opportunity to tell this story to the world.
To Stuart Grady, Joseph Joe Grande Lopez, Ann Darmola, Sonja Montgomery, Ed Nemetz, Daniel Roubian, Gloria Brosky, Susan Rasky, Sylvia Gex, Sonya Dukes, Michael Synn, Tam Nguyen, Rachel Rola, Raziel Arciega, Brian Tippens, Scott Vowels, Sonu Ratra, Gia Ly, Ken Duong, Bele Nguyen, Sally Starr, Charles Filius, the trio, Odette, Leila, and Elizabeth, to Humpys Kona, James and Sandoz Maurer, Jason Leau, Tonic Heaukulani, Kolo Paakonia, Kapiolani Mahoney, Colonel Dave Bateman, Dr. Cliff Kopp, Victoria Kalman, Mitch Tam, Rotary Club Kona Sunrise, Tracy Fosso from West Hawaii Today, The Wave 92FM, Habitat For Humanity West Hawaii, Diana Bertsch of World Championship Event IRONMAN, YogaBody Chino Hills, Adam Von Mack, my Washington D.C. network, the City of San Jose, the Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Congressman Honda, the folks on the Blue Carpet, to my editors at Split-Seed, and the GenerationDrive founding board membersthank you for your friendship, support and love.
Thank you to the GenerationDrive models: Ade Gibbs, Christina Booth, Marcus Allen Henderson, Molly Yee, Jessica Flores, and Shaelenn Hlinka. To Kevin Hofer Photography and his team of hair, makeup and wardrobe stylists; youve given a beautiful face to the Millennial generation.
To Sophia Khan, my sister, my confidant and my friend: I will always remember the generosity of you and your family. Thank you to your two very special brothers, Ali and Kareem, for making me your adopted sister. A big hug to Amir & Isma.
To my nieces Addison, Ziva, Brooklyn, and Dior and my nephews Branden, Tristan, Jayson, Logan, Jorden, Landen, Ayden, and Avery: I write every word of this book with you kids in mind. I wrote it so that the future is brighter, not only for this generation, but for yours. Tita Jamie loves you all so very much.
To my childhood best friends, Jennifer Stevenson, Stephanie Buenaventura, Nicole Aguila and Kristen Ludwick: Ive watched some of you walk down the aisle, spent nights in delivery rooms with you and sat by you through lifes greatest moments. Despite having to miss some of the milestones due to the nature of the traveling this book required of me, I appreciate you all for supporting me every step of the way.
To my sisters, Nicole Chang and Veronica Oliver: Thank you for sharing a childhood of the 80s with me that I can write in fondness of today. I love you both.
To my Mom and Dad whom I write so much about: You clearly have shaped much of who I am. Thank you for teaching me the gift of entrepreneurship. You were my true mentors, in both life and business. I am eternally grateful for both of you.
To Lolo and Lola: Thank you for giving me the spiritual tools necessary to navigate through this world. Thank you for epitomizing the love of God through your relationship with each otherit has provided a stable upbringing that I would be lost without.
To Eduardo and Holly: Thank you for your generosity, graciousness and support for Eric and me through the writing of this book. You have opened your hearts and your home to me in which I was able to spend many days on this manuscript. Eduardo, I thank you for your invaluable knowledge that you share in the interview contained in this book.
To my editor, my partner, and my best friend, Eric Ochoa: This book would not have been possible without your developmental editing, trips to the grocery store to buy me gelato on deadline, and your generous heart that allowed me the time and space to work on the manuscript. More importantly, your contributions and research on the rising income inequality in America and our shared desire to reverse the trend of poverty in our country gives voice to those who have none. For that and so much more, I love you.