Asian Girls Ignite

We’re thrilled to announce the evolution of the Asian Girls Ignite Women’s Collective into the Lotus Collective, a community of AANHPI women and gender-expansive individuals dedicated to fostering connections and serving as role models for our students. Every AANHPI individual carries a flame of courage, compassion, curiosity, and connection. As part of the Lotus Collective, you’ll use your flame to help our students shine even brighter—whether through direct engagement or leading by example in your daily life. 🌟 The name change symbolizes a new chapter of hope and resilience, just like the lotus flower that blooms against all odds. 🪷 Our members embrace AGI’s core values and are invited to attend quarterly gatherings, volunteer, mentor, and share their stories. 💫How to Join: We accept members on a rolling basis! Here’s how you can be a part of the Lotus Collective: 1️⃣Eligibility: Identify as an AANHPI woman or gender-expansive individual, be 21+, align with AGI’s values, reside in Colorado, and commit to attending at least one gathering per year. 2️⃣Submit an Interest Form 3️⃣15-Minute Discovery Call: Our Community Manager, Hannah Chen, will schedule a quick chat to discuss your goals and how you’d like to contribute. 4️⃣Complete a 10-minute Orientation 5️⃣Start Enjoying Your Member Benefits! Ready to make an impact? Join us in creating spaces where students can embrace their power and blaze their own trails! 💜 https://lnkd.in/g94v7MFe

💬 “I felt understood when other AANHPI women told their stories, because they felt the same way when others doubted them or bullied them. I felt like I was not alone.” 💜 On National Bullying Awareness Day, we reflect on the power of sharing our experiences, especially when it comes to the subtle yet harmful effects of microaggressions. For many AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth, these moments of being doubted or bullied can feel isolating — but you’re not alone. By speaking up and listening to each other’s stories, we find strength in our shared experiences and build resilience together. 💪✨

🎙️ So proud of Eleanor and Naiya, two of our incredible students and Youth Leadership Collective members, for being featured on the Conviviendo podcast by Convivir Colorado! 🌟 They shared what they love about being part of Asian Girls Ignite and how they plan to give back to their community. 💜”I hope Asian Girls Ignite grows and that more Asian girls and women, especially younger ones, get involved. My hope is that through this, they can grow themselves as well as strengthen our community." — Naiya Check out their full conversation here: https://lnkd.in/g8CRT99b

 We’re thrilled to partner again with Girls Leadership for their upcoming "Why We Lead Roundtable" event! This time, the roundtable will focus on what leadership means for parents and guardians of AANHPI girls. Join Girls Leadership for an interactive discussion featuring a panel of parents and caregivers, where they’ll share insights from the Why We Lead report and explore actionable next steps. The event will be moderated by neuroscientist and award-winning author Dr. Christine Koh, and will feature expert panelists including Dr. Hina Talib, Leticia Barr, and Youth Research Council member Nikita Jadhav. You’ll also hear from Stacie Hoffmeister, Managing Director and Head of Diversity & Inclusion at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, and Aditi Goel, Girls Leadership National Board Member and founder of P16 Partners. 📅 Date: Tuesday, October 8, 2024 ⏰ Time: 11:00 am PT / 2:00 pm ET Register now through the link in our bio!

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, but at Asian Girls Ignite, we believe the conversation doesn’t stop here. Our programs go beyond creating connection — they are designed to offer real tools for resilience, healing, and transformation. We understand the silent struggles many face, from identity-based stress to the cultural stigma surrounding mental health. Suicide remains the leading cause of death among AANHPI youth, and the barriers to seeking help can feel overwhelming. But you are not alone. At Asian Girls Ignite, we create spaces where vulnerability is welcomed, and healing is possible. If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out is the first step toward reclaiming your story. Text HOME to 741741 or call 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. 

We're thrilled to announce that Asian Girls Ignite has received an incredible $564,000 in grants from Arc'teryx, The Colorado Health Foundation, and The Colorado Trust. “Asian Girls Ignite plays such a unique role in the Colorado AANHPI community. We believe their youth leadership and community programming will continue to make a difference to AANHPI youth for future generations,” says Chris Bui, JD, MPH, Senior Program Officer, Colorado Health Foundation. “Our hope for the grant funding is that it will ensure their long-term strength and stability moving forward as they continue to expand their impact and reach.” These funds will enable us to deepen our impact by broadening our community reach, enhancing our outdoor programming, and strengthening our mentorship opportunities. We're committed to creating transformative experiences that empower AANHPI youth to explore their identities, build leadership skills, and connect with their communities. A heartfelt thank you to our partners for believing in our mission and helping us ignite the power and potential of the next generation! 🌟 For more details about our upcoming events and programs, feel free to reach out to us or visit our website: https://lnkd.in/gNvjZ2Kc

💜 Join #TeamAGI — Asian Girls Ignite is hiring a Mentorship Program Coordinator! ✨ Are you passionate about empowering AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth?  ✨ Do you thrive in both people-centered roles and operational tasks? As our Mentorship Program Coordinator, you'll shape a transformative experience by developing and managing our Mentorship Program. You'll recruit and train mentors, handle logistics, and evaluate progress. You’ll ensure our mission to support students in navigating identity, societal pressures, and personal growth is fulfilled. Start Date: September 30, 2024 (negotiable) Application Due Date: Rolling. Application review and interview cycles begin August 19, 2024. 🔗 Learn more about the position and apply today: https://lnkd.in/gzSXbcrD Know someone perfect for this role? Share this post with them!

We're thrilled and honored to share that Denver7 featured our mission! Our interview with Angelika Albaladejo showcased the inspiring stories of our high school students, Saige and Janelle, alongside our co-founder and COO, Mehgan Yen. During the interview, Saige shared a heartfelt moment, expressing, “Asian Girls Ignite has been the best part of my high school experience. It means so much to me.” The reporter was moved, commenting, “Wow, that's a really bold statement,” to which Saige responded, “It's true.” Janelle also expressed her gratitude, highlighting how Asian Girls Ignite has boosted her confidence and deepened her appreciation for her Indian heritage. We couldn't be prouder of our students and our community for igniting not only themselves but also the world around them. Watch the interview here: https://lnkd.in/gDHrMj55 #DenverNonProfit #DenverCo #AAPI #AANHPI #AAAPIComunity #AANHPICommunity

Last week, I had a chance to represent Asian Girls Ignite during the Women Powering Change event- an expo showcasing the work and stories of women making a difference for a more sustainable and just world. This next part of the story shocked me. During the event, a person approached our table. Noticing our banner for Asian Girls Ignite, they said "Konnichiwa! What did I say? Was that Japanese?" Stunned, I stood frozen for a minute as my fellow volunteer engaged with them. After they left our table, I shook my head in disbelief. How is it 2024, at a progressive women's event of all places, and I just experienced that microaggression? That said- I've been sharing this story as an example of why DEI education is important, how microaggressions can be hurtful, and that there are better ways for us to connect and speak with those who may not be like us. Creating inclusive cultures where people can thrive does not happen overnight. It takes a continuous process of learning, evolving, and growing. #AAPI #AAPIHeritageMonth #AGI #AsianGirlsIgnite

Celebrate AANHPI heritage month by igniting AANHPI youth mental empowerment 💜 We are fundraising towards a goal of $20,000 towards our educational programs to continue to create a space for AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth to explore and define their identity on their own terms! And we need your help ✨ If you donate $10 that helps provide workshop materials for one student. If you donate $30 that helps provide a meal for one student. If you donate $100 that will help fund transportation to off-site events. If you donate $700 that will help fund a student’s enrollment in our annual summer program. AND a donation of $125 gets you a free t-shirt illustrated by Akemi Tsutsui-Kunitake as a wearable token of our thanks 💜 Donate today: https://lnkd.in/g-kX392x #AANHPIHeritageMonth #AAPIHeritageMonth #DiversityAndInclusion #DenverCo #DenverNonProfit