Hello Prosper

It all began during a family car ride in February 2024 when Tejasvi’s 85-year-old grandfather nearly fell victim to a scam that impersonated a relative asking for $2,000.

Fueled by that moment, the then-16-year-old, fluent in Java, Python, and HTML, had an idea: Shield Seniors—an intuitive, AI-powered website that:

> Educates older adults about online scams
> Offers a simple chatbot “Ask” responding in two-sentence clarity
> Analyses uploaded emails or texts with 95% accuracy
> Links users to trusted agencies to report scams.

Tejasvi has been recognized with an honourable mention in the 2024 Congressional App Challenge, delivered a 2025 TEDx talk in Plano, Texas, and conducts seminars at assisted-living centers.

At her first seminar, she admitted being nervous: “What if no one shows up? What if I totally mess up?”

But as she shared, “They showed up... taking notes on their notepads... at the end some of them came to ask questions—I was able to help them.”

Now 17, Tejasvi plans to study computer science, with a focus on AI or cybersecurity—and hopes to expand Shield Seniors into a full app with greater accessibility.

Hey New Jersey Educators!

Did you know that there were Asian Americans who enlisted to fight in the Revolutionary War? Or that Asian Americans have a long history—over 250 years!—of engaging in solidarity and resistance in New Jersey?

We’ve been curious about our shared history too, and that’s why we collaborated with AAPI New Jersey to present a curated map showcasing the stories of Asian Americans who have helped shaped the Garden State.

They are giving away 1,000 copies to display in classrooms across the state. Sign up to receive a map or donate a map to a favorite teacher!

New Jersey AAPI History Map Giveaway - Teach Asian American Stories Photo by Punil Shah Sign Up to Receive a Map Teach Asian American Stories strives to help educators implement New Jersey’s AAPI Curriculum Mandate. Educators in New Jersey are invited […]

Kiss Papercuts Goodbye is coming to Austin, TX! 🌵 🏜️

Join us THIS MONDAY for a virtual fireside chat with curator Kelly Lan and Irene Kang from as they kickoff a new art exhibit opening at !

Discover their founders’ stories and how they navigated their entrepreneurial paths. They’ll reveal how they embraced their Asian American identities to power their small businesses. The session culminates in an open 15-minute Q&A, inviting dialogue and shared insights.

RSVP with link in bio! Participants are required to register to receive a zoom link. We hope to see you there!

This week, we supplied our largest order yet: 50 hardcover books for a New Jersey Public School District in South Jersey! These books will serve as required reading for their inaugural AAPI studies course!

Our contribution aims to empower district curriculum directors and meet the growing student demand to learn about Asian American history. We are uniquely positioned to solve a big problem: As a new state mandate, public schools are required to teach AAPI history, and students want to learn it. However, the challenge lies in the lack of resources and guidance to effectively do so. Together, we can make a difference in bridging this gap and providing the necessary support for comprehensive AAPI studies.

If you would like to add Kiss Papercuts Goodbye to your high school or college curriculum, connect with us!

One of the core values at SCAD is to be transformative and create life-changing experiences for their students. Kelly's lecture and workshop facilitation perfectly embodied this ethos. Her insights about her self-publishing journey for Kiss Papercuts Goodbye left a lasting impact on both faculty and students across six writing and advertising classes, both in-person and online over four days. Thank you for inviting us to your WRIT 123 class where KPG is a required reading!

Message us to learn more and invite Kelly as your next speaker.

At the end of every speaker opportunity, we pass around a piece of paper to get feedback from participants. Here are a few heartfelt notes about the impact on their creative careers.

Three years ago, on the day of our first art show, NYC came to a standstill. But we didn't let that stop us! Now, we're back and better than ever with "Jump into Pictures: Children’s Book Illustration."

Join us for the grand Exhibition Opening on Friday, July 21, from 7 to 8:30 pm at West Windsor Arts, where several artists in the central Jersey community will showcase their work, transporting you to the enchanting world of captivating illustrations.

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of children's book illustrations and support the talented artists from our local community. See you there! ✨🎨

🌟 Team Appreciation Post 🌟

Let's take a moment to celebrate the incredible talent and spirit of Priyanka Oza , a gifted poet and contributing author for "Kiss Papercuts Goodbye"! 📚✨

Priyanka has been our biggest cheerleader, always inspiring us to reach new heights with her beautiful words and unwavering support. 🙌❤️

We had the pleasure of meeting Priyanka at the Slashie Summit in NYC back in 2019, where our paths aligned and a remarkable creative connection was formed. ✨🗽

Her poetic prowess shines brightly within the pages of the book, captivating readers with evocative expressions and heartfelt emotions. 📖💫

But Priyanka's influence extends beyond the written word—her powerful performances leave a lasting impact, reminding us of the beauty and strength found in poetry. 🎤🌹

Today, we raise our virtual glasses to Priyanka Oza, a cherished member of our team and an inspiration to all aspiring writers! 🥂✍️ Keep shining, Priyanka! You are incredible! ✨💕

Exciting news! Our book is now a required reading for the ENGL 123 course at SCAD, the Savannah College of Art and Design. The class is centered around our work, and we’re so excited about the impact we are making for diverse storytelling. Students looking to pursue a creative career can now study our unique process as part of their college curriculum. The feedback was so great last spring, the course will be back this fall.

Huge thank you to Ananya Vahal () for making the critical connection as an alumna of SCAD!

We have an exciting update to share! Kiss Papercuts Goodbye is now available through Follett, a prominent distributor of educational materials. This means that our book can reach schools, libraries, and educational institutions across the country. We are grateful for this opportunity to expand the reach of our book on a broader scale.

This partnership marks a significant milestone in our publishing journey and validates the relevance and value of our work. Stay tuned for further updates as we embark on this new chapter with Follett.

Philadelphia Chinatown has survived for 150 years because we fought to be here. Chinatown is one of the few remaining communities of color and low-income communities in Center City. We are here to stay. Meet us on June 10th at 11 AM at the 10th Street Plaza (10th & Vine). Remember, you can be a basketball fan and Philly sports AND oppose the stadium build. Swipe to learn what’s happening and what you can do to take action.

We will host a special program on June 8 at 5:00 pm. Titled “We Are Multitudes: An AAPI Workshop for Creative Youths,” this one-hour workshop covers themes of Asian American identity, belonging, and history. The program features two immersive activities during an invigorating evening of fun, togetherness, and meaningful connection. Participants will learn about the history of Angel Island and deconstruct the meaning behind their names. The program is perfect for grades 5-8 interested in art activism.