Asian Girls Ignite

Did you know that suicide is the leading cause of death among AANHPI youth?* Over 40% of AANHPI LQBTQ+ youth have strongly thought about suicide in 2021.** The numbers are also high for teen girls, with 57% reporting persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.*** 

Collectively, we have the power to reshape this reality.

TOGETHER, WE CAN SPARK COURAGE: IGNITING AANHPI YOUTH MENTAL EMPOWERMENT.

WHY ASIAN GIRLS IGNITE?

Asian Girls Ignite is a non-profit organization that sparks the power of AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth through educational programs that connect them with inspiring AANHPI women storytellers to celebrate their individual and collective power.

The reason the word ‘storytelling’ is an important feature in our work is because we want future generations to tell their stories in their own voice. Our programs and events are designed to help our students grow in resilience, empathy, and self-awareness. Self-awareness is so important in telling your own stories. 

OUR STORY

Our founders, Joanne Liu and Mehgan Yen, grew up in different cities but had shared struggles growing up Asian. They felt unheard and faced microaggressions on the regular. During middle school, Mehgan endured relentless bullying for “looking like a dragon.” And in high school, Joanne was told by a friend, “Sometimes I forget that you’re Asian.” These encounters, and many others, made them feel disempowered and unseen. They both yearned for a space where their identities could be celebrated and included. 

WHO WE SERVE

AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth in grades 6-12. Currently only serving students in Colorado but empowering all far and wide thanks to the internet!

*Source: CDC 2019. Summary Health Statistics: National Health Interview.
**Source: Trevor Project 2022. The Mental Health & Wellbeing of AAPI LGBTQ Youth.
***Source: CDC 2023. U.S. Teen Girls Experiencing Increased Sadness and Violence.