Our goal is to inspire and educate the next generation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander leaders with a focus on training first time leaders!

The AAPI Leadership Learning Communities Difference – IDEA

INSPIRE – AAPI Leaders share their stories and provide advice

DISCOVER – Cultural Specific Leadership workshops

  • Self evaluation

  • Understand how cultural differences and norms affect perceptions, interactions and change

  • Being part of an effective team

  • Leading & building yourself

  • Leading vs managing

  • Principles of Leadership

  • Different Leadership Approaches

  • Leadership Skills

EXPERIENCE – Role Plays to “practice leadership”

  • Engage and participate

  • Provide a basic leadership framework

  • Present a brief leadership challenging situation with question(s) to students

  • Students participate in answering the questions

    • How to assess a situation

    • Learn about other perspectives

    • “Decide”, communicate, advocate, collaborate and possibly be challenged

ASSOCIATE – Join a Community of individuals who have similar backgrounds in your leadership journey to build a network and find mentors

Challenges

The “Bamboo Ceiling” 1 exists for the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities

  • Asian Americans Are The Least Likely Group in the U.S. To Be Promoted to Management 2

  • Fortune 500 Companies – fewer than 2% of executives are AAPI 3

  • Silicon Valley – White employees are 154% more likely to be executives compared to AAPI 4

  • Legal Profession – 11% of associates but only 3% of law firm partners 5

  • Federal Government – Asian Americans represent 9.8% of the federal professional workforce and only 4.4% of the workforce are at the highest federal level 6

  • Education – Asian American comprise only 1% of college presidents 7

Model Minority Myth & Stereotypes

Lack of the following

  • Mentors

  • Network

  • Early leadership training & experiences

Cultural values and norms

silhouette of people on hill
silhouette of people on hill

Sources:

1, 3, 4, & 5 – New Directions for Higher Education/Volume 2019, Issue 186, p 93-102

2 & 6 – Harvard Business Review May 31, 2018

7 – edprepmatters.net May 17, 2022

Diverse team of AAPI leaders

Varied career fields in business, government, education, healthcare and other areas

Background includes experiences in community colleges, state universities, and private universities

First generation

Who We Are

What We Do

Developing Leadership Skills for First Time Leaders in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Community

Leadership skills are essential for success in any field, and it is particularly important for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students to develop these skills as they navigate their careers. AAPI Leadership Learning communities are dedicated to empowering and increasing the leadership skills of first-time leaders in the community.

One of the key components of the AAPI Leadership Learning Communities is the opportunity for students to learn from various AAPI leaders who share their leadership journeys and provide guidance and advice to students. This invaluable interaction allows students to gain insights into the challenges and successes experienced by leaders who share similar cultural backgrounds. Students have the chance to hear firsthand accounts of leadership experiences and learn from the wisdom of these accomplished individuals.

In addition to learning from AAPI leaders, students also participate in cultural specific leadership seminars. These seminars focus on self-evaluation, cultural norms and differences, and leadership and management skills specifically tailored for first-time leaders. By understanding their own cultural identity and how it influences their leadership style, students can effectively navigate diverse environments and lead with sensitivity and inclusivity.

One of the key elements of leadership development is practical application. Through leadership exercises, students have the opportunity to put their newly acquired skills into practice. These exercises provide a safe and supportive environment for students to explore and refine their leadership abilities. By engaging in hands-on activities, students gain confidence in their decision-making abilities and learn how to effectively lead and collaborate with others.

Another important aspect of leadership development is networking. AAPI Leadership Learning Communities is dedicated to educating students about the importance of leadership networking. Students learn how to initiate continual learning and mentoring efforts, which in turn improves their internship and employment opportunities. By building a strong network of mentors and peers, students can tap into valuable resources and gain access to new opportunities.

Developing leadership skills is a lifelong journey, and the AAPI Leadership Learning Communities provide a solid foundation for AAPI students to embark on this path. Through learning from AAPI leaders, participating in cultural specific seminars, engaging in leadership exercises, and building a network of mentors, students are equipped with the necessary tools to thrive as first-time leaders in their respective fields.

CONTACT US AT INFO@AAPILLC.COM