Staff Update

• Isang Bagsak: A Farewell to AALEAD

  Goodbyes and farewells are never easy. They are not meant to be but they are necessary. They are necessary in how we make decisions. They are necess

• Changed For Good, Farewell to AALEAD

  During the final song in the musical Wicked, the Good Witch, Glenda, and the Wicked Witch, Elfaba, are in Elfaba's castle. They know the castle is about to be o

• Greetings From YLan!

  By YLan Nguyen, MD Middle School Program Coordinator Photos courtesy of YLan Nguyen Hey everyone, I am excited to join AALEAD as a Maryland Middle School Program Coordinator! I’m moving into my fourth week as a full-time staff and my experience so far has been nothing short of exciting. The staff has been so welcoming, it’s been great working with everyone. 

  An Asian American LEAD Thanksgiving

  By Neel Saxena, Development & Communications Director Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff Growing up, every Thanksgiving I would sit at my parent’s dining room table surrounded by freshly fried samosas, simmering matter paneer, spicy chicken biryani, and canned cranberry sauce - all the while wondering why I couldn’t have a “normal” thanksgiving meal like they did on The Wonder Years. The holidays highlighted the duality of my identity and the conflict between my Asian side

• AALEAD Making Gains in VA!

  By Yonsoo Kang, VA Middle School Program Coordinator Hello again! Last year, AALEAD’s Mentoring & Volunteer Programs Manager, Tina, and the VA Programs Manager, Shaima, worked really hard to establish AALEAD’s VA Programs, first through the Mentoring Program, then after school with the VA High School Program at Annandale High School. We are now expanding into Poe and Holmes Middle Schools in the surrounding community. Administrators and counselors in both schools have

• Hello Again, AALEAD!

  By Yonsoo Kang, VA Middle School Coordinator Photos Courtesy of Yonsoo Kang Hi everyone! My name is Yonsoo Kang and I am the new Virginia Middle School Coordinator based in Annandale!  I'm excited to be part of AALEAD again and to be spreading the wonderful programs this organization has to offer into the VA middle schools. Annandale has a special place in my heart because my father's side of the family lived in that area for decades. Even though I lived in New Jersey until I was ten, I visi

• Special Thank You and See You Later!

  It has been a wonderful five years at Asian American LEAD.  I have learned so much from AALEAD youth, staff, board members, mentors, and volunteers and I’m so thankful for everyone who has been a part of my AALEAD journey!  When I first started with AALEAD in 2010, I worked with the DC Elementary School Program and I immediately connected with the youth, staff, and AALEAD’s mission.  I knew at that moment that AALEAD would make a significant impact in my life and it definitely has.

• Thank You

  

  Thank you for this amazing journey (of almost five years!) with the AALEAD family! While I am no longer officially an AALEAD staff member, I will never

• Greetings from the New AALEAD Program Director

  By Mylynh Nguyen, Program Director Photos courtesy of Mylynh Nguyen Dear Friends and Families of AALEAD, I am delighted to join the AALEAD team to serve as the new Program Director. I started in this new role on June 9th, and just within a few short days, I have had the honor of witnessing the sincere dedication of the AALEAD staff and the exuberance of our some of our youngest elementary school youth. I have also already had the great pleasure of meeting some AALEAD parents and guardians. I

• Back at AALEAD!

  By Neel Saxena, Development & Communications Director Photos Courtesy of Neel Saxena Hello AALEAD family, I am excited to be back after a ten year stint in the DC Mayor’s Office, rejoining as the Development & Communications Director. I have seen AALEAD grow and thrive during my time away and will bring my energy and experience to continue the wonderful work. I am the son of two immigrant parents who came to the US to study in the 1960s and went back to India to have me in 1978. We c