Author Archives: hudsoninlee

1990 Institute “Roots and Wings” Symposium

September 9 | On September 6, Mina was honored to speak alongside former Acting Secretary Julie Su, Steven Kan (Other Bets, Alphabet), Andrew Chau (Boba Guys), and Abigail Hing Wen (Author, Filmmaker) on the Opening Panel moderated by Caroline Pan for “Roots and Wings,” a symposium bringing together the AANHPI community with youth. We spoke about our paths

2025 Asian American Achievement Awards

September 8 | Thank you OCA-APA Advocates for honoring us as the 2025 Asian American Achievement Awards.

We first met the OCA-APA team for a trip to Angel Island. Since then, we’ve seen their community leaders and youth leaders at many events.

On September 6, 2025, the AYR leadership team was honored by Congressman Kevin Mullin (D-CA15), Senator Josh Becker (CA-13), San Mateo County API Foundation, the Alameda County Assessor’s Office, and Councilmember Juslyn Manalo (Daly City, CA)  for building a national youth platform.

AYR leaders Mina Fedor, Charlee Trenkel, Jaslene Lai, Anna Hill, Cooper Hong, Maxwell Wong, Matthew Sugiyama , Ethan Su and Mia Fung were honored for contributing to the community in the San Francisco Bay Area and beyond.

Dr. Russel Jeung, founder of Stop-AAPI Hate and longtime mentor introduced our group. Thanks again OCA- APA Advocates San Mateo!

1990 Institute Youth Symposium

May 12, 2025 | The 1990 Institute is hosting a youth symposium on September 6, 2025, focused on empowering Asian American students, parents, and educators through community engagement. Featuring panel discussions, interactive sessions, and cultural showcases, the event aims to equip participants with insights, strategies, and connections for personal and communal growth.

Teach Truth day of action

May 9, 2025 | Bay Area educators and our allies will not be bullied by Trump or anyone else. Our students have a right to learn a full and inclusive history and a right to read diverse voices. We will gather, on rematriated sacred land, to support each other and stand up for our students and communities. *Education Resources and Book Fair * Sharing and Speakers * Protest Scholasticide in Palestine * Music * Food * Art * Solidarity. Hosted by the Sogorea Te Land Trust. Co-sponsored by the Zinn Education Project, the UC Berkeley High School Ethnic Studies Initiative and others. RSVP Here!

OHANA UPDATE: Five Stories You Might Have Missed from Senator Hirono’s Past Few Weeks

May 4, 2025 | Senator Hirono invites AYR to Student Roundtable (April 23, 2025) Last week, Senator Hirono invited Mina Fedor alongside 6 student leaders to share our perspectives on federal funding cuts to education programs, how dismantling the U.S. Department of Education may impact them and students in general, and how AYR is encouraging peers to get involved and take action. Here’s a quote from the Senator: “Our keiki, students, and educators rely on the support provided by the Department of Education, particularly students with disabilities and those in low-income and rural communities,” said Senator Hirono. “From ensuring that students can access free school meals to preventing discrimination in classrooms, the support that our public schools receive from the Department of Education is crucial for the development and safety of our keiki. ”

2025 California Advocacy Day

April 22,2025 | On April 28, the Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association is hosting the 2025 California AANHPI Advocacy Day with over 200+ participant organizations, including AAPI Youth Rising. Organized by Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA), the event represents the largest statewide AANHPI advocacy mobilization since the Stop Asian Hate movement. It will kick off AAPI Heritage Month not with a celebration, but with an urgent call for collective action. Registration is now open here. 

Act to Change’s 7th Annual Day Against Bullying and Hate Event

April 22, 2025 | Join Act to Change for their 7th Annual Day Against Bullying and Hate as they unveil the impact of their revamped Youth Ambassador Program (YAP) and honor the global change makers leading the fight against bullying.

This year’s theme highlights the power of community, solidarity, and collective action—because together, we can create a world where every young person feels safe, valued, and empowered.

A Call to Action: Arizona Must Teach AANHPI History Now 

In a time when anti-Asian hate continues to remain a harsh reality, we cannot afford to let history go untaught. 

SB 1301 in Arizona is a bipartisan bill that would require the teaching of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in K–12 schools. It has already passed the Arizona Senate with support from both parties and is expected to reach Governor Katie Hobbs’ desk very soon. We strongly urge her to sign this into law. 

As a student and youth advocate, I’ve seen firsthand the power of education to create empathy and connection. I’ve also seen what happens when that education is missing. When AANHPI students don’t see themselves in the curriculum, it sends the message that our stories—and our communities—don’t matter. That they aren’t a part of American history. That we aren’t a part of American history.