Summer Leadership Academy (SLA)
Paid Opportunity - Apply to Summer Leadership Academy!
ACDC’s Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) is a paid seven-week-long youth leadership program that runs from July through August. Participants connect with other high schoolers passionate as you learn about community organizing, spatial justice, and Asian American identity and history. Throughout the program, the cohort plans and executes Films at the Gate, ACDC’s annual Chinatown film festival attracting 600+ attendees each year. Apply soon!
Please carefully read job descriptions of the two roles. For any questions, please reach out to Youth Programs Manager Emma at emma.ishida[at]asiancdc.org.
Priority Deadline: March 22nd, 11:59pm
Final Deadline: April 5th, 11:59pm
Note: 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.
Want to learn more about Summer Leadership Academy?
Are you a parent, guardian, or highschool-aged youth and want to learn more about ACDC’s Youth Programs, Summer Leadership Academy, and to meet the Youth Programs staff? Learn more and sign up for a Summer Leadership Academy Info Session at bit.ly/2026SLA-Info.
Session 1: Monday, March 9th at 6:00-7:00pm. Virtual Meeting.
Session 2: Monday, March 14th at 11:00am-12:00pm. Virtual Meeting.
🗣️ Mandarin and Cantonese interpretation can be provided upon request.
About SLA
Photo from SLA Showcase in 2023. Photo by Mel Taing.
ACDC’s A-VOYCE Summer Leadership Academy (SLA) is a seven-week paid youth leadership program! The SLA engages the cohort with an innovative, community-centered curriculum, equipping youth with skills in community-building, creative placekeeping and professional development while introducing youth leaders to an ecosystem of ACDC staff, activists, partners, artists, and professionals.
About Films at the Gate (FATG)
As a final project, the SLA Cohort apply their developed skills and reflections from SLA’s curriculum towards leading Films At The Gate—ACDC’s annual, youth-led kung fu film festival. With support from ACDC staff, youth receive mentorships towards event planning, fundraising, design, and more. Check us out @filmsatthegate to see what it’s like!
The SLA Curriculum
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.
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