Alessandro Iaia has always believed in the American dream. That anyone – whether they are born in this country or have made this country their home – with hard work, can get far. With perseverance, they can receive equal treatment and be able to live their lives without anyone looking down on them or thinking anything negative about them. 

But as he got older, the Wilmington teen realized that not everyone subscribed to that same ideal. Iaia is half Mexican and half Italian. Both his parents immigrated to America, met here and now have two biracial boys, the younger of whom is 18-year-old Iaia.