Youth Programming

3rd Youth Ambassador Cohort

Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC is excited to host our 3rd Youth Ambassador Cohort and launch the application for the fall class. The 2025 Youth Ambassador Cohort will focus on the rapid development of artificial intelligence including the benefits, harms, and ethical considerations of how AI impacts Asian American communities and other marginalized communities. The Advancing Justice – AAJC Ambassadors will meet in-person in Philadelphia for two days of programming followed by an online session and project presentations. Students will work collaboratively with Advancing Justice – AAJC staff and policy professionals to prepare them with the knowledge and skills to raise awareness of the growth, impact and potential risks of artificial intelligence in their communities.   

The Fall 2025 Youth Ambassador Cohort is available to students 18+. Students will be accepted on a rolling basis and will receive a participation stipend for their time. Advancing Justice – AAJC will arrange travel for students traveling into the Philadelphia area.  

The Youth Ambassador Cohort will kick off in Philadelphia for a two-day in-person session on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21. Following the in-person session, students will have the opportunity to meet with policy and communication professionals to deepen their understanding of advocacy work and present what they have learned at the end of the session.  

Due to the in-person aspect of this year’s cohort, Advancing Justice | AAJC will prioritize students who currently reside within the Mid-Atlantic region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland), especially those within a 2.5 hour ground travel distance from Philadelphia. 

How to Apply

Students interested in applying must 1) submit the application form, which includes one short essay question 2) submit resume, and 3) one (1) reference to Joy Sutardji at jsutardji@advancingjustice-aajc.org¹ AND Elyssa Goswick egoswick@advancingjustice-aajc.org² by July 28. Applicants will be accepted on a rolling basis.  

Requirements

• Applicants must be located within a 2.5-hour (ground) travel distance from the Philadelphia area.
• Must be a current student enrolled in a 2 or 4-year college/university, from any major or discipline. Applicants enrolled in high school may apply but must be at least 18 years old
• Applicants must apply via the form.
• All Applicants must submit a reference and resume to jsutardji@advancingjutice-jaac.org ³and egoswick@advancingjustice-aajc.org²  

Commitment 

• Participants must attend all sessions of the Youth Ambassador Cohort Program including the 1) in-person kick session in Philadelphia (Advancing Justice – AAJC) will arrange and assist with travel, 2) the follow-up online training and working session, 3) the scheduled online presentation day.
• Scheduling for the online sessions will take student availability into account, but students are also required to make accommodations to their schedules if needed.
• Participate in discussions and offer thought leadership in peer-to-peer engagement
• Students will receive a participation stipend (upon confirmed eligibility) 

Youth Leadership Summit: Rising Young AAPI Leaders Convene to Advance Civil Rights

Since 2014, Advancing Justice — AAJC has convened prominent college students for its multi-day leadership development program that focuses on advocacy, communications, and civic engagement around policy issues impacting our communities from college campuses to Capitol Hill. 

We are proud to host students from around the country with ancestry in Tibet, Korea, China, Pakistan, Vietnam, India, and the Philippines.

Through interactive workshops, hands-on trainings, and discussions with leaders on Capitol Hill, participants build advocacy and communication skills while gaining a deeper understanding of how they can impact policy decisions.

Over the years, we have had the privilege of convening exemplary young advocates from diverse communities and who span all regions of the country.

Read about our Spring 2024 Youth Leadership Summit class⁴ and alumni projects⁵.

The Summit was such an eye-opening and inspiring experience that I am extremely grateful to have participated in. From attending and engaging in legislative meetings with senate offices to interactive workshops and presentations on AAJC’s current projects, I developed a strong understanding of how having AAPI representation, strong alliances with BIPOC partners and political power is vital to make policy change positive and lasting. 

-Mika Chan, Seattle University

Being able to interface directly with staffers on the Hill for issues I cared about was incredibly rewarding and is an experience I’ll take away for my future advocacy in the realm of health equity. Attending this year’s Summit has been truly fulfilling during this life-changing pandemic: the skills and knowledge I’ve gained here will undoubtedly serve as the foundation for my future advocacy serving the Asian/American community and beyond.

-Nelson Lin, Brown University 

The Youth Leadership Summit is made possible through the generous support of State Farm and FedEx.