Through the 1990 Institute, AAPI youth, parents, and educators come together in San Mateo for leadership development, mentorship, and intergenerational learning.
Our hope is that every young person leaves more firmly rooted in who they are, with greater confidence to spread their wings and embrace the future…”— Sandra Pan, 2026 Roots & Wings Youth Symposium Co-ChairSAN MATEO, CA, UNITED STATES, August 12, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — On Saturday, September 19, 2026, the 1990 Institute will present its second annual Roots & Wings Youth Symposium, uniting Asian American youth with the key adults in their lives—parents, guardians, educators, and community leaders—for a full day of mentorship, learning, and meaningful discussion centered on this year's theme, "Empowerment Through Community Collaboration."
Held from 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the College of San Mateo Theatre in San Mateo, California, this event is tailored for youth aged 14–21 and the adults who support them daily. It offers an intergenerational experience aimed at helping participants examine identity, leadership, resilience, and future prospects. Thanks to the 1990 Institute and its generous sponsors, the symposium is provided at no charge.
Alongside keynote conversations featuring accomplished Asian American leaders, the symposium includes career pathway discussions, interactive life skills workshops, and separate breakout sessions designed specifically for youth, parents and guardians, and educators. Participants engage in joint sessions and also benefit from discussions tailored to each group. These experiences collectively strengthen emotional resilience, authentic leadership, financial confidence, community involvement, and the partnerships that enable young people to flourish in today's increasingly complex world.
This year's keynote panel includes Dion Lim, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, and community advocate; Deborah Liu, a technology executive and former CEO of Ancestry; Evan Low, President & CEO of the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund; and Dave Lu, Founder of Hyphen Capital. Additional speakers come from organizations such as Alphabet, Stanford University, Stanford Hospital, Kyron Learning, Pan's Mushroom Jerky, Boba Guys, The Asian American Education Project, AAPI Youth Rising, Red Envelope Collective, and other entities spanning technology, education, entrepreneurship, public service, healthcare, and the arts.
The 1990 Institute's mission is to advocate for fair and equitable treatment of Asian Americans while encouraging constructive U.S.-China relations. As Asian American youth navigate an increasingly complex social, academic, and professional environment, Roots & Wings offers a space to explore identity, leadership, and belonging together with their stakeholders.
"Our hope is that every young person leaves more firmly rooted in who they are, with greater confidence to spread their wings and embrace the future, knowing they are surrounded by a community that believes in them – their parents, guardians, educators, mentors, trailblazers, and community leaders," said Sandra Pan, 2026 Roots & Wings Youth Symposium Co-Chair. "By learning alongside one another and engaging in meaningful intergenerational conversations, we deepen understanding, build resilience, and cultivate lasting and supportive relationships that we hope will continue long after the symposium – empowering the next generation of Asian American leaders," added Lisa Hsu, Co-Chair.
Youth, parents and guardians, and educators can secure their spots by registering here. The first 60 youth registrants will be eligible to receive two tickets to the San Francisco Giants vs. Minnesota Twins game on Monday, September 21, 2026, at 6:45 p.m. at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
Media representatives are invited to attend. For further details or to RSVP, please contact Sandra Pan at ys@1990institute.org with “2026 Youth Symposium Media Request” in the subject line.
ABOUT THE 1990 INSTITUTE
With a 35-year history, the 1990 Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to championing the equitable treatment and advancement of Asian Americans and fostering a deeper understanding of contemporary China through educational programming and collaborative leadership networks. Learn more at: www.1990institute.org.
Press Team
1990 Institute
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