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1990 Institute Youth Symposium

Event Schedule and Speakers

Start Time

Schedule Information

08:30 AM

Registrants check-in & Networking

09:30 AM

Welcome & Opening Remarks

Board Chair and Youth Symposium Chair

09:45 AM

Trailblazers Panel: Stories Beyond the Script

Join an inspiring panel of trailblazers and role models who are redefining success on their own terms. These dynamic individuals will share their personal journeys — including the challenges, setbacks, and unconventional paths that shaped who they are today. From navigating identity to breaking barriers in their fields, their stories will empower youth to dream boldly, embrace authenticity, and chart their own course.

Speaker: Mina Fedor

11:15 AM

Break

11:45 AM

MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Youth Track, Parent Track, and Educator Track

Art, Media & Culture

Telling Our Stories: Creating Culture Through Art & Media

Explore how artists, filmmakers, writers, and content creators are shaping Asian American narratives. Learn how creative expression can challenge stereotypes, build pride, and change the way our communities are seen and heard.

Speakers: Wesley Chan

11:45 AM

Morning Breakout Sessions

N/A

Activism & Advocacy

Voices of Change: Turning Passion into Action

Meet activists and advocates who are driving social impact and policy change. Discover how you can use your voice, lived experience, and leadership to fight for equity and justice—at school, in your community, and beyond.

Speakers: Eddie Ahn, Mina Fedor

STEM

Breaking Boundaries: Asian Americans in Science & Technology

Hear from innovators, researchers, and engineers about what it takes to succeed in STEM fields. Learn how they navigate challenges, find mentorship, and use their skills to solve real-world problems.

Speakers: Stephanie Cheng

11:45 AM

Morning Breakout Sessions

N/A

Business & Entrepreneurship

Build It Boldly: From Ideas to Impact

Dive into the world of entrepreneurship with Asian American founders, business leaders, and changemakers. Get inspired by their journeys and gain insight into turning your ideas into something real.

Speakers:

11:45 AM

Morning Breakout Sessions

N/A

Follow Your Passion

Fuel What Moves You: Turning Dreams into Direction

Not sure what path to take? This session is all about trusting your gut, exploring what excites you, and learning from people who took unconventional routes to do what they love. Your journey doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

Speakers: Paul Bien, Kathy Fang

Follow Your Passion

Brief Session Description

Speakers

Educator Workshop

Teaching Asian America: Curriculum, Context, and Connection
Dive into tools, strategies, and resources for bringing Asian American stories into your classroom. Explore how inclusive curriculum can deepen student identity, build empathy, and challenge historical erasure—across disciplines and grade levels. Jayson Chang, Asian American Education Project and Jason Muniz, UC Berkeley History Social Science Project will present and guide our educators through this workshop, facilitated by Eunjee Kang, one of the 1990 Institute Teachers Advisors.

Speakers: Jayson Chang, Eunjee Kang, Jason Muniz

Parent Session

Bridging Generations: Understanding Our Youth
Join a guided conversation about the pressures, identities, and experiences Asian American youth are navigating today. Reflect on how cultural expectations, mental health, and representation shape their worlds—and how adults can best support them.  Connect with other parents and leave feeling more equipped and connected.

Speakers: Dr. Caroline Lee

01:00 PM

Lunch Break

02:10 PM

AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS

General session open to all participants

Fish Bowl

Listening In, Speaking Out: A Cross-Generational Conversation
At the heart of this symposium is our belief that the journey of a young person cannot be walked alone. Passion thrives when it is nurtured by a strong, supportive community—and that includes educators and parents. In this powerful closing session, students, educators, and parents/guardians come together for a facilitated dialogue that centers shared understanding, honest reflection, and collective visioning. Through the fishbowl format, participants will listen, speak, and witness real stories and perspectives—bridging gaps between generations and roles to imagine a future where Asian American youth are fully seen, supported, and celebrated.

Facilitators: Dr. Melinda Gonzales, Dr. Caroline Lee, Pat Burrows

Film Screening & Talk Back

Reclaiming Our Stories: A Film Journey with Josh Chuck

Join filmmaker Josh Chuck for a special screening featuring clips from his acclaimed documentaries Chinatown Rising and Making Waves. Through powerful storytelling and archival footage, Josh explores Asian American activism, identity, and the resilience of communities. After the screening, stay for an engaging conversation with Josh as he reflects on the filmmaking journey, untold histories, and what it means to reclaim and share our narratives.

Speakers: Josh Chuck

03:25 PM

Transition back to theater

03:40 PM

Comedy Show

Featuring: 

04:10 PM

Finale

Speaker:

04:20 PM

Conclusion of Youth Symposium

Meet the Speakers

We have assembled a panel of distinguished speakers and moderators and are adding more over the next few months. Please visit this page from time to time to see who have been added.

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