Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Shimamura.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Well, I come from a pretty humble background. Japanese dad and Ecuadorian mom giving me that “first generation” lifestyle! Haha. Growing up I was hardwired to love intentionally and with conviction. I was bullied most of my childhood and young adult years and really found myself at odds with finding an identity. I lacked a sense of belonging. I didn’t fit in with kids in school because of our. culture clash; which I didn’t understand until way later in life, but I wanted to find a community to connect with. I didn’t have a big family. I had my mom, a fiercely passionate Latina from Ecuador, and my father who was a spicy Asian from Japan. So with our broken English and ambitious faith, we embarked on that good ole American dream! I saw my parents tirelessly try and fail to introduce their passions locally and eventually consume them both. I watched the toll it took on them to feel isolated and lost without a sense of belonging. Eventually, it was their demise.
I lost everything in a downward spiral that began in 2006. Mom committed suicide, dad died with her the very next day and I watched the psychological toll crush my grandmother, and eventually, her attempts took her from me too.
So in truly chaotic fashion. I lost myself in the dark space of loneliness and self-pity. I was in one abusive relationship after another, made horrible choices, and embraced my abrasive and angry persona as I’d felt entitled to this hate.
The thing no one explains about anger and hatred in your bitter heart is that it’s like a fire. The higher it burns the more work is required to stay there. Eventually, the self-hate faded, that bitter rage became all but a rumble in my chest, and I couldn’t do anything but cry. I felt lonely and abandoned. I couldn’t kill myself. I thought I should at this point. I had no family, pushed away all my friends, and literally kept surviving one catastrophe after another. I was at that rock bottom spot I didn’t know I needed to be in. I realized in my isolation that the time I wasted and lost will never come back with regret or anger, but when you exhaust energy into finding the light, you get closer to becoming that light others need, therefore drawing in those that need it and that I needed just as much. I embraced the fact that chasing the sun like wildflowers, brings new life and beauty to the world, and if you ever meet me; I’m definitely a wild thing! Haha, I made a choice to love in the share this light I fought long and hard for, with those in need. No conditions, no expectations, just authenticity…
I found art, music and of course, FOOD is the goodness that fuels and heals. So in my brokenness, I found the gold to mold me back together, an homage to the Kintsugoroi Japanese methodology. Growing up with restaurant owners and chefs and traveling internationally I found this universal language of love thru food and the power it has to speak to every language and culture. So I launched a nonprofit organization to support and advocate for individuals or families in need. I wanted to be all-inclusive in a universal way to connect and with no hidden agenda except to show kindness and goodness. So 4Goodness Project Inc was born, on November 30, 2020, I officially started my nonprofit journey to serve my community. I wanted to serve the misfits, the broken, broken, lost, and the ones so busy surviving that a little goodness goes a long way. So I curate one event at a time, I help advocate and support a network of small businesses and individuals looking to connect and serve our local community and collaborate with other nonprofit organizations like the children’s shelter and Providence Place.
So I host markets and popups to raise funds to support my efforts for events for the residents of Providence place and bring joy to the children’s shelter and work tirelessly to make my small efforts and time to give to those in need.
I’ve been there before and learned it’s the little things that make it all worthwhile so I’m honored to hold space for and to serve a greater good for goodness sake. Stay tuned… lunar new year is coming up and I’m working on an event to ring in the next year of the 4Goodness Project!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Launching a nonprofit organization with no political or religious affiliation in Texas felt impossible! Even on the small scale, I’d hoped to remain on. With the inspiration and ongoing support from my family at Jefferson Bodega, I continue this journey to serve our city and what we affectionately refer to as the BODEGAFAM.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
This nonprofit organization is my most proud project. It’s a blip in the sea of organizations worldwide but this one is mine and yours. So I feel like I embrace the true creative freedom to serve a need where and when it is presented.
What does success mean to you?
As a mosaic emotion. It’s gotta be broken up and molded back together by your own will and need.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @4goodness_sa
