Program
Overview
Empowering young Asian American females to become leaders in their communities
A core pillar of ASPIRE's programming, the Youth Leadership Program (YLP) aims to support the development of emerging Asian American women leaders. Designed for our Asian American sisters currently in high school, YLP encourages growth as rising leaders in their social, academic, and future professional communities. The program focuses on building identity, encouraging self-confidence, and developing leadership skills. YLP is free for all participants.
Community
- Connect with other Asian American high school girls in the United States
- Explore identity and leadership in a safe and supportive environment
Leadership
- Identify your leadership superpower and how to use it in your academic, social, and future professional lives
- Develop and practice your voice and leadership
Mentorship
- Meet Asian American females who are active in their communities and/or have been through the program
- Be inspired!
Program Details
Eligibility
Young girls in their sophomore or junior year of high school who identify as Asian/Asian-American (All subgroups welcome and encouraged—East Asian, South Asian, Southeast Asian, etc.). At ASPIRE, we define “girl” and “woman” as anyone who defines one’s gender identity, experience, and internal perception as girl or woman. We welcome transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people.
Duration & Dates
- March 8, 2026 - August 16, 2026
- We typically meet 2-3 times a month on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Location & Format
- In-person classes at The Foundry (101 Rogers St, Cambridge, MA 02142)
- Virtual classes on Google Meet
- 2 planned field trips in Boston, MA and Providence, RI.
Projects
As part of the cohort, participants work on cumulative projects that address different issues in their communities. Check out the projects from the latest cohort
here!
Syllabus
Download the syllabus below for the class schedule, programming details, and program expectations.
How to Apply
We are now accepting applications for the upcoming 2026 cohort. We review applications on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early.
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Notification Date: All applicants will receive their admission decision by February 7, 2026
Meet the YLP Team 👋
Emma Grayeb
Emma Grayeb teaches high school history at Buckingham Browne and Nichols School in Cambridge, MA while pursuing an M.Ed. through the University of Pennsylvania’s Independent School Teaching Residency fellowship program. She earned her undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross, where she majored in History and Asian Studies, and was awarded the Karen Gottschang Turner Asian Studies Award for distinctive academic achievement and contribution to the program. Emma is excited to be the co-director of YLP this year and join a community of inspiring Asian American women. In her free time, she enjoys reading, creative writing, listening to pop-punk, and eating good food!
Raveena Longia
Raveena is the 2026 YLP Co-Director. Through her job at the Institute for Health and Recovery, she works as a case manager for youth at a Malden middle school. She received her Master’s degree in Public Health from Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health and her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Tufts University. Raveena participated in YLP as a high schooler and is excited to return to facilitate and inspire other young girls to be leaders the same way her cohort did for her. Raveena loves to travel and is a two-time recipient of the U.S. Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship where she traveled to Punjab, India to study her ancestral language. In her free time, she enjoys making embroidery art projects, and training and competing in Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Annie Tsan
Annie is the YLP facilitator for the 2026 cohort. She’s a former U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Fellow and recently finished her M.S. in Foreign Service at Georgetown University. She completed her undergraduate studies at UMass Amherst, majoring in Political Science, and has studied international business and humanitarian aid/refugee health in Taiwan and Jordan. Annie is a longtime resident of Dorchester and came back to Boston after all her travels, where she is currently completing a full-time cybersecurity program. As an immigrant and first-generation college student, she has been able to thrive in her academic and personal life, in large part, due to the guidance and support offered by programs similar to YLP. She looks forward to giving back to the community in the same way. Outside of traveling, Annie enjoys playing video games, exploring Boston’s food scene and cafes, and doing yoga sculpt classes.
