Summer Leadership Academy (SLA)
Summer Leadership Academy is back, and this year we are integrating SLA and our annual youth-led film festival, Films at the Gate (FATG)!
Applications are currently open until April 27th, 2025.
Photo from SLA Showcase in 2023. Photo by Mel Taing.
About SLA
ACDC’s A-VOYCE Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) is a seven-week paid youth leadership program from July 14th through August 27th! This year, we are integrating our Films at the Gate (FATG), into Summer Leadership Academy (SLA), where accepted applicants will undergo SLA’s educational programming, while planning and executing FATG.
“This program deserves more recognition in terms of providing a space of comfort and vulnerability when discussing grim moments of history.”
What will we do in SLA?
Youth will learn about Asian American identity and history, and explore how systemic racism affects the Asian community.
Youth will develop skills in building empathy, creative storytelling, critical thinking and analysis, and collaboration. We will be reflecting on our lived experiences making art, and other creative processes. We will host guest speakers and artists, and go on field trips! We will provide lunch stipends for participants for every day of the program.
Video by Harrison Tran, 2022 SLA Youth & Communications Intern
With support from ACDC staff, youth will also lead the planning and execution of ACDC’s 19th annual, youth-led kung fu film festival, Films at the Gate, and build skills around event planning, fundraising, and more. Check us out @filmsatthegate to see what it’s like!
Each year SLA centers around a unique and insightful theme.
This year’s theme is Community Safety! This summer, we will explore questions like…
How might Asian American history and my intersecting identities inform my life experiences?
What are alternative ways of keeping my neighborhood safe?
How do our neighborhoods’ designs impact our everyday lives and communities?
What might a sustainable and caring community look like?
Check out our Previous themes!
2021’s “The Art of PersuAsian:”
Understanding of Asian identities and experiences and learn about Asian American History through a lens of creative storytelling and anti-oppression frameworks.
Check out 2021’s showcase here!
2022’s “Windows and Mirrors:”
Comparing how Asian identities are different and how they are similar.
Check out 2022’s showcase here!
Eligibility
High schoolers in the classes of 2025-2029
Those able to attend Films at the Gate Festival on August 22-24, 2025
This program centers Asian American experiences but is open to young people of all identities who express commitment to these topics of social justice, and are open to talking about race and identity. Youth must have an interest in personal identity development, learning about social justice and have a strong commitment to the Asian American community.
Youth must be available to attend all program sessions across the seven week long program cycle.
How does it work?
There are two distinct types of roles within this program. Read the job description for each role below.
Need more help choosing a role to apply for? Check out this brief flow chart to decide!
The deadline to apply is Sunday, April 27th at 11:59PM. Applications will be followed by a Zoom interview with staff.
For questions, email our Youth Programs Manager, Emma Ishida (emma.ishida@asiancdc.org).
Photo from SLA Showcase in 2023. Photo by Mel Taing.
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