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Jimmy Patel-Nguyen :: Jan 16, 2019 — The REFUGENE Token is our reminder of the connection between generations. The six sides of the Token represent the six steps of the heritage cycle. This symbol is our way of honoring our past, our cultural identity, and the potential of future generations.

Jimmy Patel-Nguyen :: Dec 05, 2018 — It’s Christmas time, and like other folks, my wife and I have set up our tree, strung our lights, and hung our stockings. We listen to Christmas music to get into the spirit, but one song in particular reminds me of something far different than the holiday itself.

Jimmy Patel-Nguyen :: Nov 15, 2018 — Camp Pendleton was one of four refugee camps America organized in the Spring of 1975. Marines had 36 hours to set up tents, toilets, and showers for tens of thousands of refugees who escaped South Vietnam. On a trip...

Jimmy Patel-Nguyen :: Nov 01, 2018 — Hi, my name is Jimmy and I am a Vietnamese American who was born and raised in North Carolina. I started printing REFUGENE shirts to connect with my heritage. As a father and as a minority, I worry our cultural identity will fade with each generation. The REFUGENE project exists to...

Jimmy Patel-Nguyen :: Oct 15, 2018 — I wrote ‘The REFUGENE Manifesto’ as my interpretation of what it takes to be successful, and I kept it in my wallet as a personal reminder to...

Jimmy Patel-Nguyen :: Oct 02, 2018 — We make shirts as a way to remind ourselves of our culture. It’s not the only way, but it’s our way. We believe clothing can connect communities, because what we wear says something about who we are:

Jimmy Patel-Nguyen :: Oct 01, 2018 — Xin chào quí vy — Hello there. We are REFUGENE, welcome to our blog. REFUGENE is a project we started with the goal of celebrating the cultures of refugees. Why? Because our parents were displaced from Vietnam in 1975. They, like many others, sacrificed and persevered to provide our family with better lives than their own. We are their children...