Photos of the Branching Out Project Tree located in the APASA Center and from the Branching Out Documentary screening.
About the Project:
Branching Out is a documentary that celebrates the voices of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) rooted in Tucson. It highlights stories of identity, resilience, and impact through the lives of four remarkable individuals: Feng-Feng Yeh, the visionary behind the Chinese Chorizo cultural events; Dr. Jacqueline Barrios, a professor and cultural educator at the University of Arizona; Matt Denney, a performing and visual artist with deep ties to the APASA community; and Dr. Sujata Saha, a surgeon specializing in endocrine surgery and surgical oncology.
The narrative unfolds through the metaphor of a tree: the roots representing the foundations of Asian heritage in Tucson, the branches embodying the guidance and influence of APIDA role models, and the leaves symbolizing students and future generations who carry their legacies forward to inspire change.
After the screening, Branching Out concluded with an interactive tree art piece inviting audience members to reflect on the role models who have shaped them. This evolving art installation is displayed in the APASA Lounge space, celebrating the enduring impact of APIDA voices in our community. At a time when DEIA is under threat, and especially during the creation of this documentary when this space was going to be removed, this growing tree is a symbol for the action and work that can be done to support our voices. It stands tall in APASA and is a testament to where we stand tall.
Through this documentary, we aim to amplify the stories of APIDA individuals while also providing students with role models in various spheres of life. By showcasing these remarkable journeys, we hope to encourage students to find their voice, embrace their identity, and see the potential for their impact within their communities and beyond.
Credit to UA Pre-Health APAMSA Youtube Channel
Filmmaker
About the Filmmaker: Nikhil Johnson is a junior undergraduate student at the University of Arizona. He serves as the Vice President and previous social media coordinator of the Asian Pacific American Medical Student Association, where he fosters connections within the APIDA community. Driven by a lack of connection to his heritage away from home, Nikhil developed this film as a way to connect students with role models that look like them, experienced similar hardships, and represent diverse careers. In the future, he hopes to continue amplifying underrepresented voices through storytelling, research, and community initiatives.
Special Thanks
Dr. Jacqueline Jean Barrios (she/her) is an Assistant Professor at the University of Arizona whose work bridges literature, urbanism, and public humanities. Her scholarship explores trans-urban imaginaries and spatial storytelling through projects like LitLabs, which reimagine canonical texts through the lived experiences of marginalized youth. A former LAUSD educator and founding member of the APA Faculty Network, Dr. Barrios engages deeply with community-centered learning and experimental urban design, with recent projects based in Tucson’s Southside and historic El Pueblo Neighborhood Center.
Matt Denney (he/him) is a mixed-race Filipino-American educator, recruiter, and artist whose work centers on theater for social change, ethical student development, and BIPOC representation in the arts. A former high school drama teacher and now a doctoral student in Higher Education at the University of Arizona, Matt co-founded Consent Creatives of Arizona and has presented nationally on topics in theater, equity, and care-based education. He serves as a Recruiting Coordinator in the College of Fine Arts, where he blends his passions for community engagement, ethical recruitment, and storytelling. When he’s not working, Matt enjoys tacos, comics, anime, and riding his bike through Tucson.
Feng-Feng Yeh (she/her/they/them) is a chef, artist, and cultural organizer whose work merges food, art, and activism to explore identity and collective memory. As the founder of the Chinese Chorizo Project, she revives a forgotten culinary symbol of Chinese-Mexican solidarity through public art, festivals, and performance. Named Tucson’s first Food Visionary by the City of Gastronomy, Yeh uses humor, sensuality, and community engagement to challenge norms and uplift immigrant narratives. Her dynamic, multidisciplinary work has been featured in Vogue, WWD, and numerous public platforms across the Southwest.
Dr. Sujata Saha (she/her) is a board-certified endocrine surgeon and Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Arizona. After completing her medical training through Northwestern’s Honors Program in Medical Education, she returned to Tucson following an endocrine surgery fellowship at Mayo Clinic. Passionate about surgical education and health equity, Dr. Saha also serves as the Assistant Clerkship Director for general surgery. Her clinical work focuses on thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and paraganglioma disorders, and her research includes PET choline imaging for parathyroid disease. Outside of the OR, she enjoys painting, cooking, and exploring Tucson’s vibrant food scene.