VAYLA New Orleans

VAYLA New Orleans is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of AAPI leaders, empowering them to build a more just and equitable future. Rooted in New Orleans and beyond, we are committed to fostering leadership that addresses the social inequities facing our community, all through an anti-racist, Queer, and Feminist lens. Central to our work is the belief that storytelling is a powerful tool for driving change. By weaving narratives that amplify our voices, we strengthen efforts in environmental justice, reproductive justice, and civic engagement, ensuring that our movement remains strategic, inclusive, and transformative.

At VAYLA, we are committed to empowering young AAPI leaders through our internship program, offering paid opportunities that center AAPI experiences and develop leadership skills. These programs provide space for young people to experiment, learn, and lead, while creating solutions to social inequities in New Orleans and beyond.

We address racial inequities through people-centered initiatives such as Community Campaigns, Voter Education, and Environmental and Reproductive Justice advocacy. By strengthening partnerships with local Vietnamese and Asian American Student Associations, VAYLA builds a network of youth leaders dedicated to driving change.

Our mutual aid work is rooted in the AAPI community's needs. A powerful example is our partnership with the VEGGI Farmers Cooperative, where we provided fresh produce, culturally relevant groceries, COVID-19 resources, voter registration materials, and hurricane preparedness supplies to families who might otherwise be overlooked. This campaign not only met immediate needs but also built long-term community resilience.

VAYLA's leadership model fosters sustainable change by empowering AAPI and BIPOC youth to confront systemic inequities