By Diane Bui, former AALEAD MD High School Program Coordinator Photos Courtesy of Diane Bui and other AALEAD Staff In summer 2015, I had just returned from my post-grad gap year in Australia unsure of what next steps I wanted to take in my life. I knew I needed to get a job, but I had no idea what job I wanted. I found the position of MD Middle School Program Coordinator at AALEAD and thought it would be a good fit. My first day at AALEAD was September 8, 2015. And I had no i
By Keo Xiong, Former AALEAD Staff Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff In August 2013, I packed into my new Scion XB a few bags of clothes, some books, photo scrapbooks, and a few snacks, and hit the road on a three day road trip from St. Paul, MN to Washington, D.C. to begin my new job at Asian American LEAD as a Maryland Middle School Program Coordinator. Four years later, after having become the Maryland Programs Manager, in August 2017, I repacked my now-tattered Scion XB (thanks, DC drivers)
By Yonsoo Kang, Previous VA Middle Schools Program Coordinator Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff My dear AALEADers, During my interview for the VA Middle School Coordinator position, then executive d
By Tina Ngo, Mentoring & Volunteer Programs Manager Photos Courtesy of AALEAD Staff There have been many things that I've learned over the course of my time at Asian American LEAD (AALEAD), but one lesson in particular will always stand out to me. During an after school program session, a young person and I had a discussion about choices and how a single decision can create a ripple effect. I'll never forget this conversation because AALEAD youth speak truth: the choices that we make imp
By Surjeet Ahluwalia, Executive Director Photo Courtesy of Chelsea Iorlano, Development & Communications Associate This is the last time I will be writing all of you as Executive Director of Asian American LEAD! Beginning November 7th, I will pass the torch to Neel Saxena, our current Development & Communications Director. The last six years have been quite the journey for Asian American LEAD and for me personally. I’m proud of the work we have done together:
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
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