| | | | | Dear Friends, As students prepare to return to school this fall, many are navigating a world that feels increasingly more ambiguous and complex than that of previous generations. They are facing rapid technological change, rising polarization, and ongoing questions of personal identity, while also carrying the heavy expectations of families who have often equated success with stability and assimilation. Earlier this summer, I watched a commencement address that captured that tension with unusual clarity. Min Jin Lee, acclaimed Asian American storyteller and author of the best-selling novel “Pachinko,” spoke to the Yale Class of 2026 about what it means to build a meaningful life in uncertain times. She called today’s students the “Class of the Aggrieved,” acknowledging the pressures they face, from global conflict to AI disruption, and the added weight carried by communities of color. Yet her message centered on empowerment. Drawing on her own journey, from recent immigrant to lawyer to novelist, she urged students to “choose the important over the urgent” and to understand time not only as something measured, but as the moments that shape who we become. The metaphor of “bifocal glasses” is especially relevant for Asian American youth: the ability to see both the immediate demands of achievement and the longer arc of identity, purpose, and belonging. It’s a reminder that they are not simply inheriting a story; they are authoring one. This year, the 1990 Institute’s Roots & Wings Youth Symposium embraces that same spirit of empowerment, allyship, and collaboration. It’s a space for young people to explore their voice, connect with peers, and learn from leaders who have forged their own paths. 👉 We invite young people ages 14-21 – and their parents, guardians, educators, and community advocates – to register now and join us on September 19 for the 2026 event. Let’s help the next generation write the story of who they can become – together. Join us in supporting our programs and our next generation. Stay connected with us by subscribing to our mailing lists and exploring past newsletter issues. Victor Young
1990 Institute Board Chair |
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| You’re invited to meet our panel of opening speakers at our Roots & Wings Youth Symposium at the College of San Mateo on September 19. Learn more and register, and see Spotlight below for more information. We hope to see you there! |
| | | MEET THE INSPIRING SPEAKERS AT OUR 2026 ROOTS & WINGS YOUTH SYMPOSIUM ON SEPTEMBER 19 AT THE COLLEGE OF SAN MATEO — 👉Don't wait to secure your spot. Space is limited! - We are keeping it real and relatable to help young people find their future stories. Between cultural expectations, social media, and the pressure to follow a pre-made blueprint, it’s easy for young people to feel like they are living someone else’s script.
- Roots and Wings is a space for youth, parents, guardians and educators to reflect on and explore what it means to build a meaningful life. It’s a chance to look beyond expectations and consider what matters most to each of us. We’ll explore how to stay connected to where we come from (our roots) while finding the confidence and courage to discover and chart our own unique paths forward (our wings). Together, we're reminding young people ages 14-21 that success isn't a fixed destination. It’s something you define, potentially stumble through, but forge for yourself.
- Meet Our Opening Panel Speakers: They didn’t achieve incredible things by playing it safe. They faced rejection, doubted themselves, and had to redefine what success meant to them. They are joining us to share the real stories behind their journeys:
- Dion Lim – The Real Story: As a TV journalist, Dion’s job was to tell stories, but her passion now is telling hidden ones. She brings a wealth of empathy and a reminder that being brave often means speaking up when it’s uncomfortable.
- Deborah Liu – The Real Story: Deb has run major tech companies, but her willingness to talk about the messy parts of leadership – dealing with imposter syndrome and finding your voice when you feel like the odd one out – makes her a passionate advocate for helping young people find their footing and build careers on their own terms.
- Evan Low – The Real Story: Evan went into public service to make a tangible difference in people's everyday lives. His journey in policy and community advocacy shows his willingness to show up, listen, and fight for change.
- Dave Lu – The Real Story: Dave didn’t just wait for doors to open. As an entrepreneur and community organizer, he lifts others up and makes sure diverse voices have resources they need. He believes that true impact comes from looking out for your community.
- Our Closing Fireside Chat: A One-on-One Conversation with Yul Kwon: We'll talk with “Survivor” winner and tech leader Yul Kwon, who embodies the courage it takes to be authentically yourself, even when people try to tell you otherwise. He will share insights on resilience, identity, and navigating unconventional paths to success.
1990 INSTITUTE & THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION (TAAF) AAPI HISTORY HUB - The 1990 Institute is pleased to collaborate with TAAF by contributing original content and curated educational resources from our Reference Library to its AAPI History Hub. By sharing and extending the reach of these trusted resources, we are making it easier for educators, students, and communities nationwide to discover and use high-quality educational content.
- Together, we are helping ensure that Asian American history is recognized as an essential part of the American story, while furthering our mission to champion the equitable treatment of Asian Americans.
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|  | We join The Asian American Foundation (TAFF) in an aim to teach AAPI history in schools and are proud to contribute our original content and curated educational resources to its AAPI History Hub. Our resources are here. |
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| U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS & CHINA NEWS Fewer American students are studying in China. What does this mean for future ties? | Straits Times Op-ed: The U.S. lead over China in AI is all but gone. We need a change in national strategy | CNBC - China has cultivated an AI ecosystem capable of repeatedly producing world-class capabilities. Dewardric McNeal of Longview Global says that a holistic look at China’s AI progress should concern policymakers, tech executives, investors, and America’s allies.
Both Trump and young Americans are warming to China | International Crisis Group / Financial Times - The president and Gen Z voters are far more open to a co-operative relationship with Beijing than hawks in Congress.
- While China’s emergence as a near-peer may be discomfiting for older Americans, their younger counterparts are more accustomed to its growing power and leadership in several technological categories.
U.S. looks to boost anti-China spending worldwide by hundreds of millions, documents say | AP News - The Trump administration is preparing to ramp up funding by hundreds of millions of dollars for programs designed to counter China’s growing influence around the world.
A new space race is unfolding at the moon's south pole. Here's what to know about China's game plan | CNN - China has set its sights on expanding its exploration efforts beyond robotics, aiming to become only the second nation in the world to put its own citizens on the moon. Citing concerns about espionage and intellectual property theft, the U.S. has refused to work with China.
ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER (AAPI) NEWS The View from Heart Mountain — What it means to be a Japanese American today | Northwest Asian Weekly - At this year’s pilgrimage to Heart Mountain, a World War II Japanese Confinement Site in Wyoming, survivors and descendants of the camp and members of the Japanese American community had an opportunity to reflect authentically on what Heart Mountain means to them.
Trump signs new orders targeting birthright citizenship, weeks after Supreme Court ruling | NPR - On August 6, Trump signed two executive orders on birthright citizenship and "birth tourism," referring to the practice of some pregnant women who travel to the U.S. to give birth so that their newborn can receive automatic citizenship.
Equinox ends campaign but escalates tensions with AAPI women | AsAmNews - After eight months of controversy and after CNN recently gave the issue coverage, the luxury fitness club Equinox took down an ad deemed dangerous to Asian American women by members of the community. It accused a content creator of “manufacturing outrage for clicks.”
Justice Department says Duke Law School illegally considered race in admissions | AP News - The DOJ said Black or Hispanic applicants were much more likely to be admitted to Duke Law than white or Asian applicants with the same academic credentials.
- After recently concluding that Yale and UCLA medical schools illegally considered race in admissions, it is also launching similar investigations into 15 other medical schools.
Op-Ed: Protections guarding against hate crimes declining | AsAm News - Asian American’s Advancing Justice | AAJC’s analysis of preliminary 2025 FBI data found 2025 could be the fourth-worst on record for hate crimes, even as reported incidents dropped nationally – a 9 percent decline that AAJC warns masks “persistent, shifting, and in some cases sharply rising threats.” “The count of hate crimes itself is incomplete in ways that matter,” says Simon Tam, founder of The Slants.
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| | Acclaimed author Gish Jen entered Harvard as a pre-med or pre-law student, following the path her family expected. But a poetry class changed her trajectory. Gish left business school for the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, earning her MFA and has been writing ever since. Learn more about Gish Jen and see her books on New Asian American Voices. We will be holding workshops at our upcoming Roots & Wings Youth Symposium for young people on how they can find their authentic voices and manage pivots. Register here. |
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| | THE ASIAN AMERICAN FOUNDATION (TAAF) — New Research series: State of AAPIs - The series provides an unprecedented, detailed look at the lived experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationally and in major metros.
- The national report offers a close look at how AAPIs are navigating economic insecurity, safety concerns, and feelings of belonging.
- "With our State of AAPIs research series, we're taking the critical step of understanding AAPIs' needs at a granular level and giving local and national decision-makers the data they need to address our community's biggest challenges," said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF.
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| | Dim Sum - A Little Bit of Heart |
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| | | | 1990 Institute
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