2026 Roots & Wings Youth Symposium - Building Resilience and Confidence Across Generations

On Saturday, September 19, the 1990 Institute held a successful Roots & Wings Youth Symposium at the College of San Mateo Theatre. More than 350 parents, students, educators and community members attended. The focus this year was building resilience and confidence in AAPI youth, under the theme Empowerment through Community Collaboration. The day built on our 2025 theme of Inspiration and Aspiration.

From the very start, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Attendees were welcomed with music from a special Asian American playlist curated by DJ Keith O, setting the tone for a day that celebrated culture and creativity. Information tables provided giveaways and resources, but the real treasures were the spaces intentionally created for discovery, learning, and connection.

An Intergenerational Village

The symposium was built on the idea that it takes a village, so each group had its own dedicated track:

•      Our young people attended Pathfinder sessions and Life Skills workshops focused on leading a purposeful life, diverse career paths, authenticity, and finding their voice.

•      Parents and guardians gained practical tools to foster and strengthen communication with their children, navigate challenges from mental health to generational differences, and support them through every stage of their life journey.

•      Educators explored how to connect AAPI history as a foundation for their teaching, with curricula and classroom strategies for inclusive practice.

Across the tracks, the program returned to five themes: honoring our legacy, defining our narrative and dismantling the “model minority” myth, navigating identity and visibility, balancing expectations, and intergenerational dialogue. With the world increasingly shaped by AI, our goal was to give young people a firm foundation so they can adapt, soar with confidence and lead a purposeful life.

Voices on Stage

More than 30 incredible speakers and moderators led keynotes, panels, and breakout workshops. They came from technology, business, behavioral medicine, education, media, public service, and the arts. Keynote speakers shared how they navigated their heritage, family expectations, and their environment, and how they pursued their passions toward success and fulfillment. Among them were Yul Kwon of Google, Deb Liu of Ember AI, Jia Jiang of Rejection Therapy, Andrew Chau of Boba Guys, journalist Dion Lim, graphic novelist Thien Pham, and City of Pinole Mayor Cameron Sasai. Mental health and education leaders also took part, including Dr. Rona Hu and Dr. Helen Hsu from Stanford and Dr. Gwenn Lei of the San Mateo County Office of Education. Members of the 1990 Institute’s own board shared their experience too.

Breakout Sessions

After the morning keynote panel, parents, youth, and educators joined workshop and discussion sessions designed specifically for each group. This provided a supportive space for each consituent could feel more open to ask questions and explore options independently. Parents and Educators had their own tracks focused on an enriching parenting playbook to support and connect better with their youth, and how to incorporate Asian American history in the classroom as a foundation for pride and confidence in their students respectively.

The Dinner Table

One of the most meaningful moments came in the afternoon. Parents and students sat down together in a dinner table-style conversation to broach more difficult topics. Stanford clinical psychiatry and behavioral health professionals moderated it, along with youth leaders from Youth Community Service and the goal was for each side to hear and understand the other’s perspective.

Frank exchange between parents and students were extremely moving and brought tears to many in the audience. Parents came to see how much their youth’s anxiety about letting them down was impacting them emotionally. Teens heard that their parents’ expectations are rooted in love and hope for them. Moments like that are why we do this work.

Video Premiere

In collaboration with the Asian American Education Project, two short documentaries (embedded below) about AAPI history premiered at this symposium. Written in Blood, Tears and Sweat: the K.W. Lee Story is a video about the life and legacy of legendary investigative journalist K.W. Lee, known as the "godfather of Asian American journalism;" and Invisible Lifelines: The Asian American Legacy of Courage, Care, and Contribution which explores the often-unseen legacy of Asian Americans in American healthcare and highlights the courage, care, sacrifice and innovations of Filipino nurses, Asian American physicians, scientists, and medical pioneers whose contributions have helped protect lives and transform American medicine.

The Soundtrack

Between sessions, a DJ Okada kept the energy up with a curated playlist of Asian American pop artists. It was a fitting backdrop for a day about celebrating heritage and defining your own narrative. The playlist runs more than 120 songs, with artists like BTS, BLACKPINK, Audrey Nuna, Rei Ami, and the cast of KPop Demon Hunters. You can listen on Apple Music.

Powered by Partners and Sponsors

The symposium was free to attend, thanks to a broad coalition of supporters. Sponsors at the Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze levels, along with in-kind donors, made the day possible. Our partners included community organizations, mental health and wellness groups, education nonprofits, and university programs. The 1990 Institute is grateful to everyone who gave their funding, time, and expertise, and to the volunteers who ran the day.

Looking Ahead

Roots & Wings gave young people the roots to stay grounded in who they are and the wings to lead. Thank you to every speaker, sponsor, partner, volunteer, and attendee who made it happen. To support future symposiums or get involved, visit 1990institute.org.

Team YS