Congressman Dave Min (CA-47) presented honorary certificates to students in the Asian American Youth Leadership (AAYL) program in recognition of their outstanding contributions to cultural research and storytelling.
The students showcased two original projects—“Taste of Tradition” and “Memory Mapping”—at the 2025 AAPI Empowerment Summit, drawing strong interest and praise from attendees.
Held annually to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the AAPI Empowerment Summit highlights the contributions of the AAPI community in Orange County and features discussions with AAPI leaders across sectors to promote identity, inclusion, and community connection.
This year’s summit took place on May 17 at the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center (SCCCC). AAYL students were invited to present their work on-site and speak about their research process and personal reflections.
In “Taste of Tradition”, students interviewed family members about heirloom recipes and the emotions tied to them. Their multimedia presentations explored food as a symbol of love, legacy, and cultural identity.
In “Memory Mapping”, students used maps, images, and narratives to trace their families’ immigration journeys—highlighting themes of uncertainty, resilience, and adaptation.
Their work offered powerful insights into the Asian American experience through intergenerational lenses.
The exhibit combined interviews, writing, hand-drawn maps, and video, and was widely praised for its creativity and emotional resonance.
Rep. Min encouraged the students to continue sharing their voices as future leaders who foster cultural understanding and unity.
Founded by SCCCC in 2022, AAYL aims to cultivate leadership and cultural literacy among Asian American youth.
In collaboration with UCI, the program is guided by Professor Judy Tzu-Chun Wu, Director of the Humanities Center and Asian American Studies, and Tony Hwang, Executive Director of Admissions. Together, they designed a curriculum that blends academic inquiry with real-world experience.