Little Yellow Jeepney: Cultivating Heritage Through Stories
The Kapwa Kultural Center is proud to feature Little Yellow Jeepney, a wonderful children's book series founded by Dr. Jocelyn Francisco. A proud first-generation Filipina-American, Dr. Francisco created Little Yellow Jeepney to introduce young readers to basic Tagalog language and inspire adults to reconnect with their cultural roots.
Dr. Francisco's inspiration came from her own bilingual upbringing and her experiences as a clinical psychologist working with Filipino families. She noticed many families wanted to preserve their language but didn't know how to start. "My firsthand experience with first-generation Filipinos struggling to pass on their language motivated me to develop a children's book series teaching basic Filipino," she shares.
Little Yellow Jeepney crafts heartfelt, family-centered stories that celebrate cultural preservation. Each book is a tribute to Filipino heritage and community, developed in collaboration with local artists, educators, and creatives in the Philippines.
Bridging Wellness and Heritage
Beyond her work as an author, Dr. Francisco is a licensed clinical psychologist with a deep passion for advocacy. She's committed to normalizing mental health, vulnerability, and healthy boundaries within the Filipino/a/x community. Her mission beautifully connects emotional wellness with cultural awareness, reminding us that our healing and identity are intertwined.
"I am a passionate advocate for cultural awareness, emotional wellness, and lifelong learning," Dr. Francisco states. "Through my work as a psychologist and author, I want to empower others to connect with their heritage, embrace their emotions, and create positive change."
For Dr. Francisco, being a small business owner extends beyond selling books; it's about fostering genuine connections. "My favorite part of being a small business owner is building real connections with the community—sharing stories, celebrating culture, and growing together," she explains.
A Shared Mission of Storytelling
Little Yellow Jeepney's mission perfectly aligns with the Kapwa Kultural Center's own goal: to honor and pass down stories rooted in love, identity, and community. As Dr. Francisco beautifully puts it, for Little Yellow Jeepney, Kapwa Kultural Center "is more than a space; it's a living expression of shared culture, where our books are not just read, but truly felt and uplifted."
You can explore Little Yellow Jeepney's inspiring books at our Kapwa space, or shop their online store!
At Kapwa Kultural Center, we recognize that community thrives when we support one another—not just in words, but through intentional Shop Little Yellow Jeepneycollaboration and shared space. Our vendors are a vital part of that vision. They bring color, culture, and creativity into Kapwa’s everyday rhythm, offering goods and experiences that reflect our collective values.
Through this blog series, we’d like to dedicate time and space to celebrate the amazing vendors who bring their passion, products, and presence to our community. Whether they’re serving up handcrafted goods, apparel, books, or showcasing art that speaks to our shared roots, each vendor adds something meaningful to our collective story.
Interested in being a vendor or collaborator at KKC? Click here for more information.