Educate to Empower and the Center for Asian Americans in Action (Center for A3) are teaming up again to present a discussion series for Asian American students, parents and educators to talk about the impacts of the “model minority myth” in the classroom, at home, and beyond.

The series, entitled Building Bridges: Empowering Asian American Families in OC, will create opportunities for Asian American families to share stories about the mental health impacts of discrimination and stereotyping and discuss ways schools and school districts can better support Asian American students and their families.

We will host three virtual sessions (7-8pm on Oct. 3, 10, and 17), beginning with a screening of Pressure to Perform, a short video created by students at Irvine’s Portola High School followed by a panel discussion by some of the student creators of the video. The second session will feature a parent-led panel discussion about the harmful mental health impacts of the model minority myth. Attendees in the third session will hear from educators, administrators and school board members about the importance of Asian American engagement in school and school district meetings. Attendees will also learn about AB 101, California’s ethnic studies requirement for graduating high schoolers, and why it’s important to engage with OC schools and school districts as they consider how to implement the new requirement in the coming school year.

The series will culminate in a half-day, in-person summit on October 22, 2023 from 9AM-12:30PM for families and educators to speak, learn, and discuss ways to work together to dismantle the model minority myth at home and in the classroom.

Building Bridges: Empowering Asian American Families in OC is an opportunity for Asian American students and parents to engage in workshops with each other and to connect with local Asian American community leaders and build a network that supports advocacy and change. Participants will gain new information, support, and tools that will empower them to make an impact in their school communities. Together, we will continue to foster stronger school environments in which our Asian American students can thrive.