Emerging Leaders Summit
Build something that matters.
Build something that matters.
Build something that matters.
The Emerging Leaders Summit (ELS) is a two-day virtual leadership intensive exploring Asian American history, identity, and community action.
Through ELS, students will design a community project grounded in their own personal story, built to serve their community, and fully ready to launch by the end of the program.
The Emerging Leaders Summit (ELS) is a two-day virtual leadership intensive exploring Asian American history, identity, and community action.
Through ELS, students will design a community project grounded in their own personal story, built to serve their community, and fully ready to launch by the end of the program.
The Emerging Leaders Summit (ELS) is a two-day virtual leadership intensive exploring Asian American history, identity, and community action.
Through ELS, students will design a community project grounded in their own personal story, built to serve their community, and fully ready to launch by the end of the program.
Applications are open to all rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school who identify as Asian American.
Apply today! Deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 30th, 2025.
Applications are open to all rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school who identify as Asian American.
Apply today! Deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 30th, 2025.
Applications are open to all rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school who identify as Asian American.
Apply today! Deadline to apply is Wednesday, July 30th, 2025.
Mentors & Program Staff from
Mentors & Program Staff from
From Our Students
Real stories of growth, success, and transformation through AAYA.
"I started valuing my heritage in a whole new way."
I may not remember every historical fact, but I remember how it made me feel. The program helped me understand the broader context of Asian American history—and made me deeply value my heritage for the first time.
"It gave me the confidence to take the first step."
I used to hold myself back because I was afraid of judgment. But hearing my peers take initiative helped me realize my fears were only hypothetical. The program gave me the courage to act—even when I was scared.
"This program changed the trajectory of my life."
Instead of wishing for change, the program motivated me to get out and make it. I worked with my school to implement Asian American history and lobbied for legislation in Ohio. Nothing would’ve happened without the program.
"I realized I wasn’t Asian American in a vacuum."
Learning about cross-racial solidarity during the Civil Rights Movement made me rethink activism. The program helped me see that identity is deeply connected to community—and that real change means building together.
"I finally had space to reflect on who I am."
I’d never had a space to connect with my identity. The program gave me that—and showed me I wasn’t alone. I left the program not just more informed, but more confident and proud to be Asian American.
"It taught me to believe I could make a difference."
My community project started as a requirement—and became a passion. After years of trial and error, I launched a history lesson for middle schoolers. That only happened because the program taught me to believe in myself.
"I started valuing my heritage in a whole new way."
I may not remember every historical fact, but I remember how it made me feel. The program helped me understand the broader context of Asian American history—and made me deeply value my heritage for the first time.
"It gave me the confidence to take the first step."
I used to hold myself back because I was afraid of judgment. But hearing my peers take initiative helped me realize my fears were only hypothetical. The program gave me the courage to act—even when I was scared.
"This program changed the trajectory of my life."
Instead of wishing for change, the program motivated me to get out and make it. I worked with my school to implement Asian American history and lobbied for legislation in Ohio. Nothing would’ve happened without the program.
"I realized I wasn’t Asian American in a vacuum."
Learning about cross-racial solidarity during the Civil Rights Movement made me rethink activism. The program helped me see that identity is deeply connected to community—and that real change means building together.
"I finally had space to reflect on who I am."
I’d never had a space to connect with my identity. The program gave me that—and showed me I wasn’t alone. I left the program not just more informed, but more confident and proud to be Asian American.
"It taught me to believe I could make a difference."
My community project started as a requirement—and became a passion. After years of trial and error, I launched a history lesson for middle schoolers. That only happened because the program taught me to believe in myself.
"I started valuing my heritage in a whole new way."
I may not remember every historical fact, but I remember how it made me feel. The program helped me understand the broader context of Asian American history—and made me deeply value my heritage for the first time.
"It gave me the confidence to take the first step."
I used to hold myself back because I was afraid of judgment. But hearing my peers take initiative helped me realize my fears were only hypothetical. The program gave me the courage to act—even when I was scared.
"This program changed the trajectory of my life."
Instead of wishing for change, the program motivated me to get out and make it. I worked with my school to implement Asian American history and lobbied for legislation in Ohio. Nothing would’ve happened without the program.
"I realized I wasn’t Asian American in a vacuum."
Learning about cross-racial solidarity during the Civil Rights Movement made me rethink activism. The program helped me see that identity is deeply connected to community—and that real change means building together.
"I finally had space to reflect on who I am."
I’d never had a space to connect with my identity. The program gave me that—and showed me I wasn’t alone. I left the program not just more informed, but more confident and proud to be Asian American.
"It taught me to believe I could make a difference."
My community project started as a requirement—and became a passion. After years of trial and error, I launched a history lesson for middle schoolers. That only happened because the program taught me to believe in myself.