Our family like so many others, had to escape Laos, crossing the Mekong River to seek refuge in Thailand.

When the war ended, our family, like so many others, had to escape Laos, crossing the Mekong River to seek refuge in Thailand. We arrived in the U.S. in 1976, I was 4yrs old, strangers in a foreign land, yet grateful for the safety and the hope of a new beginning. My father worked tirelessly, taking on  a full time job as a janitor for years then in my teenage years as a farmer balancing both jobs. Together with my mother, they cultivated not only crops but the foundation of their little side business , selling their produce to the farmers market 3 to 4 times per week . Somedays he only slept for 3-4 hours. 

My father carried the weight of his family’s survival across turbulent times, much like water flowing through uncertain paths, nourishing life wherever he went.

In many ways, my father Xay embodies the spirit of “The Waterers.” He carried the weight of his family’s survival across turbulent times, much like water flowing through uncertain paths, nourishing life wherever he went. During the Secret War in Laos, he took on a dangerous job with Air America, guiding planes to land, cleaning them inside and out, and providing essential support to covert operations. Without formal education, he left behind his loved ones, risking his life daily, driven by a simple yet powerful purpose: to create a path forward for us.

His life, like water

carried strength

and quiet persistence

flowing into my generation

as a legacy of

resilience and dedication

His life, like water, carried strength and quiet persistence, flowing into my generation as a legacy of resilience and dedication. My father is a true “Waterer,” a reminder that knowledge, sacrifice, and strength flow from one generation to the next, nourishing us and preparing us to carry forward. I will miss his big smile regardless of the hardship. 

Shang Thao-Berg immigrated to the United States from Laos in 1976 at the age of four, bringing with her a legacy of resilience and cultural pride. Fluent in Hmong, she embodies the spirit of her heritage, influenced by her mother’s storytelling through traditional cloth art during challenging times. Shang graduated from Augsburg College with a BA in Business Management and a minor in Marketing and MIS, which laid the foundation for her successful 20+ year career as a full-time realtor with the Onyx Team at Realty Group.

Her passion for fashion has grown into Zen Fusion Designs, her upcoming 2025 clothing line that merges modern simplicity with ethnic Asian influences. Shang has directed various Hmong fashion events, over the years. Just recently was Fresh Traditions XVII Runway show, Hmong Noveau just to name a couple. She has incorporated her 3 kids into these community projects to deepen their connection to their roots. With a background that includes modeling for local companies and notable runway shows with Prince back in the 1990s. Shang continues to inspire by blending her real estate expertise, fashion passion, and cultural mentorship.