On the evening of June 27, 2025, Glow Cultural Center—together with the Committee of 100 and Foundation Center, Inc.—welcomed nearly 100 high school and college students, recent graduates, and professionals for Let’s Glow Together: Empowering Youth Through Networking & Career Exploration. From the onset, the event turned simple introductions into meaningful conversations spanning law, medicine, technology, nonprofit work, and entrepreneurship. Coalition of Asian-American IPA (CAIPA) and NewYork-Presbyterian Queens (NYPQ) enhanced the experience by tabling and bringing practicing clinicians, directly addressing a top interest among students: careers in medicine.

After a lively networking session, Glow’s Managing Director Marcelo Chan shifted the focus to our “Youth in the Community”, celebrating the volunteer spirit that fuels GCC’s mission of enhancing community life through cultural, educational, and social programs. Council Member Sandra Ung generously provided her official citations and certifications to recognize GCC’s exceptional volunteers for providing valuable services to our community. Marcelo praised Huiting’s “super professionalism” and joked, “I wish I spoke as many languages as you do,” and thanked Sophie, our “super helper,” noting, “Without you, we wouldn’t know where to find half of our stuff in the office.” By honoring these volunteers, Glow Cultural Center celebrated the spirit that powers our community.

Committee of 100’s Executive Vice President Cindy Tsai followed with a keynote that reframed career exploration as a continuation of a rich cultural legacy. “Asian Americans built railroads, created Zoom, and gave America YouTube,” she reminded us. “We are not outsiders—we are the American story.” When she challenged students, “When people ask ‘Where are you really from?’, let that be your power,” the room erupted in nods and applause, as attendees recognized their heritage as a source of strength.

From left: Cindy Tsai, Marcelo Chan, David Rong

Next, psychologist Dr. Teresa Hsu led a Slido-enhanced panel discussion that blended real-time data and personal testimony. Entrepreneur Mark Lee advised to “choose paths that align with both passion and practicality.” The conversation highlighted the harder truths of workplace bias. Slido polls showed that 70% of attendees acknowledged experiencing microaggressions. When asked to identify the most common forms, 86% correctly selected “How come you speak English so well?” and 79% correctly selected “Where are you really from? ”Hematologist Dr. Pauline Lau recounted her own moment in a surgical rotation: “A nurse joked, ‘Your parents work in a laundromat.’ Today I’d respond: ‘That assumption is wrong, and it’s not funny.’” Attorney Gary Young added a legal professional’s perspective: “When a colleague mimicked an Asian witness’s accent, I gave him the dirtiest look and said, ‘What?’—because silence only enables bias.” By bringing these experiences to light, we underscored our commitment to equipping the next generation with the awareness and courage needed to create truly inclusive workplaces.

Dr. Hsu brought the focus to mental health, sharing a deeply personal story: “When my sister felt she had nowhere to turn, I learned that asking for help can make all the difference. Now I teach my daughters that it’s okay to ask for support.” Her message—to build cultural pride as armor against racism—resonated as a powerful call to action.

By evening’s end, students and professionals alike had not only widened their networks but also deepened their understanding of how personal stories, shared data, and candid dialogue can break down barriers. We extend our heartfelt thanks to our co‑organizers, the Committee of 100 and Foundation Center, Inc., and to CAIPA and New York‑Presbyterian Queens for bringing clinicians and resources that enriched our networking tables. Most of all, we are thankful to each student and professional who joined us—your energy and openness made this evening truly unique and unforgettable. We look forward to building on this momentum and collaborating again soon!

Panelists bio: https://www.committee100.org/events/youth-empowerment-career-workshop/

Event photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/glownyc/albums/72177720327269143

Photo credit: Faye Qiu