Hi all! I’m Madyson Chung Lee (she/her), the 2024 DC Program Summer Intern! I am so excited to join the AALEAD team this summer. I am a rising sophomore at Scripps College dual majoring in Politics and Asian Studies.

I am a second-generation Korean-American. I was born in the Bay Area but moved down to Southern California(specifically the Orange County region) when I was five years old. It’s where I still call home today! Orange County has a large Asian community. So growing up, I was lucky enough to be surrounded by people who looked like me. Growing up my greatest joys were visiting Mom and Pop restaurants on the weekends with my family and eating good food with those I loved the most. The things I dreaded the most were Korean School every single Sunday and my math tutor (my weakest subject to date). But looking back, I’m glad I stuck with both. Growing up in Orange County has taught me just how important it is to find community–whether it be ethnic communities, academic communities, or even extracurricular communities.

I first learned about AALEAD through a LinkedIn suggestion for AAPI nonprofits to keep up with. I was so inspired by AALEAD’s mission, values, and impact on the local DMV community. As someone who has served in spaces catered towards leadership development and extensive summer programming, I have always felt a passion to connect my AAPI identity to the programs, which is why I am so grateful and elated to have the opportunity to be a program intern this summer. I hope to incorporate my love for the arts and storytelling into this year’s summer program theme!

In the future I hope to foster my passions for advocacy, policy, and AANHPI issues through organizations like AALEAD and even just in my everyday life at Scripps. I hope to grow in my awareness of multifaceted issues in the community and to serve in whatever capacity possible. During my time here in the DC area, I’ll be taking advantage of being on the east coast and the beautiful museums the city has to offer. I love to use Yelp as my travel guide, so if you have any recommendations please send them my way!

Summer Intern Spotlight: Madyson Chung Lee

Summer Intern Spotlight: Angel Yuan