Laichia Vang (she/they) is the Program Director of Youth Empowerment and serves to support StoryArk’s Youth Executive Board. They currently attend the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and study Political Science, Sociology, and Racial Justice in Urban Schooling. Their work includes presenting at Achieve Twin Cities’ 10th season of EdTalks, 2022 Finalist for the MN Author Project: Communities Create and editor of Exploring Language & Identity: The Experiences of ELL/ESL Students, seen on the Sahan Journal and the MNDaily, and advocates for the transformation of the youth justice system with Ramsey County’s Youth Advisory Council. She is passionate about education equity, youth empowerment, and strategic storytelling.
From 2020 to 2022, Laichia held various youth leadership positions in Minnesota. They were an At-Large and Congressional District 4 Representative on the Minnesota Youth Council, Racial Justice Research Fellow with the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, Facilitator at Becoming Organizers Becoming Advocates, and Co-Chair of the Youth Executive Board. In March 2022, Laichia was a Speaker (47:05-53:35) and Legislative Captain at the Asian Minnesotans Day At the Capitol. They advocated for the implementation of Ethnic Studies, as well as planned and facilitated meetings with Minnesota legislators regarding various bills to further our communities. That summer, Laichia was a Community Canvasser at Asian American Organizing Project for the Midterm Elections. They engaged in door and hotspot canvassing, and provided voter education, civic awareness, voter protection and resources. Throughout these last few years, she has engaged in various community events as a facilitator, panelist, and storyteller with organizations such as AVID, the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, TakeAction Minnesota, the Minnesota Humanities Center, and more.
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