Jace (they/them) was born and raised in New York. They received their BA from NYU in 2022, where they majored in comparative literature with a minor in linguistics. Through their studies, they developed a strong interest in the intersection of history and language. And how there are historical influences to why we say what we say, hidden implications in the words we choose, and regional influences on the cadence and rhythm at which we speak.

Storytelling has always been a point of interest for them. During college, they founded a multimedia publication called Pier To with a fellow classmate. Their mission statement revolved around amplifying and uplifting their generation’s voices through person-first narratives. After a year, the publication had a team of around 40 staff members who worked on marketing, digital development, print development, and literary and creative editors/curators. Pier To concluded with the release of its print issue, which showcased a diverse range of original works from around 20 artists.

Their interest in oral history begins at home, where they speak Shanghainese with their family. This Chinese dialect has no formal written language, and its practice is diminishing in Mainland China. This conflict has influenced their current research interests to focus on subjects of language diaspora, immigrant history, and linguistic anthropology.