The Asian American Experience
The rise of Asian American hate crimes. The lack of Asian American representation in leadership, media, education, the arts, and more. The fetishization of Asian women. The demasculinization of Asian men. Stereotyping in TV & Film. The continual exclusion of Asians when addressing people of color. The “model minority myth.” These are all problems that persist in our country.
Yet, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing minority in the US. It’s time to change the narrative of AANHPI (Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander).
As a bilingual and bicultural 4th generation Japanese American, born between a 3rd generation Japanese American father from Hawaii and a native Japanese mother, I know what it feels like to not belong: Not American enough in America, not Japanese enough in Japan. As a dancer, I have been repeatedly excluded from roles due to my ethnicity. As a social entrepreneur, I’ve found myself as the only Asian American in many spaces, including DEI spaces.
Despite this, through lots of soul-searching and trial and error, I found a unique career path that transcends these divisions in our society, and combines my passion for dance with a purpose of inclusion. There’s a saying in Japanese that says, “When the nail sticks out, it gets hammered down.” Adding to this: … But when the nail sticks up too high (for good reasons), the nail can’t be hammered down.
Please consider inviting me as a speaker and/or performer to add to the conversation about the Asian American experience at your enterprise, campus, or event.
AANHPI Speaking Topics Include:
Finding Belonging as an Asian American
Overcoming Adversity
Movement Mindfulness & Self Care
My Speaker & Story Reel:
On abc Nightline News following Monterey Park Shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio:
Sharing the stage with newscaster Dion Lim of abc News
With George & Brad Takei at the Japanese American Citizen League Gala. George has shared some of Marisa’s videos on his social media feed.
About Marisa Hamamoto:
The first professional dancer to be named People Magazine “Women Changing the World”, and named InStyle Magazine Badass 50, adidas "women reimagining sport," CBS News “People Making a Difference”, and featured on Good Morning America and NBC Today, Marisa is an award-winning Transformational Movement Artist, Speaker, and Changemaker dedicated to creating a more inclusive just world where we can each feel alive, not just survive.
Marisa’s lived experiences of her body repeatedly not being accepted as a dancer, her Japanese American identity not fitting the box in many spaces, and surviving a stroke that initially paralyzed her from the neck down, eventually led her to create Infinite Flow in 2015, an award-winning nonprofit dance company that advocates for disability inclusion. A few years into devoting her life to disability inclusion advocacy, Marisa was diagnosed with two invisible disabilities: PTSD (2021) and Autism (2022). The diagnoses brought much clarity to challenges she’s coped with throughout her life.
Marisa is passionate about transforming forward-thinking businesses through keynotes, performances, and content that inspire inclusivity and move hearts, bodies, and minds, so that their teams become more connected, purpose-driven, and alive. She has brought unique unforgettable keynote presentations and performances, to some of the biggest enterprises in the world, including Google, Microsoft, Meta, Apple, Red Bull, NBCUniversal, Deloitte, PayPal, International Monetary Fund, Farmers Insurance, Kaiser Permanente, Porsche, McKinsey & Co, Clifford Chance, amongst other brands. Marisa made history along with wheelchair dancer Piotr Iwanicki by becoming the first dancer to perform at Apple’s Steve Jobs Theater, sharing the stage with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Since 2015, Marisa has led Infinite Flow to perform at over 200 events, from large global events to local school assemblies & community festivals. Heading the creative & artistic direction, Infinite Flow’s videos have tracked over 100 million views across social media. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Marisa spearheaded Infinite Flow to turn its in-person elementary school assembly program into a virtual program, launching Scoops of Inclusion, a 47-minute short film celebrating diversity and empowering kids to take an active role in creating a more inclusive world where we each feel we belong.
Marisa is bilingual and bicultural. She completed her BA & MA from Keio University, Tokyo. She is an Honorary Member (Distinguished Artist) of the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science. She is a speaker, thought leader, performing artist, and multi-dimensional creator on the rise, seeking to creatively inspire inclusion, innovation, and transformation through movement, dance, and storytelling.
presentation DNA: in-person + Virtual
Dance Performance
Authentic Dialogue + Creative Thought Leadership
Audience Interaction + Student Q&A
** I am available for both solo talks, and presentations with 1-5 Infinite Flow dance artists.
Featured in
brands i worked with include
Previous Clients for AANHPI Events Include
NBC Universal
Tulane University
Princeton University
California Polytechnic University - Pomona
Center for Pacific Asian Women
What EVENT ORGANIZERS Are Saying
“I cannot thank you enough for your partnership in this. That was such a fun hour, and I am so happy you were able to join us. Everyone absolutely loved your story and your movement. “
Caroline Delfin, NBC Universal
"Infinite Flow was an entertaining and enlightening performer to have at a college campus. Those in attendance thought they were a hit! I highly encourage any schools or youth organizations who work with students ranging from elementary to university level. Any student can enjoy and experience something new with Infinite Flow! Marisa was also amazing to work with as the founder."
Roger Fang, California State Polytechnic University Pomona
