“Participating in SEARAC’s Leadership and Advocacy Training program was truly empowering. Before the training, I recognized that I lacked experience in political advocacy and hoped to gain a deeper understanding of the federal legislative process and how to effectively uplift my community’s concerns and lived experiences. By the end of the program, I not only gained those insights, I also formed meaningful connections with participants from Southeast Asian communities across the country. I learned that there is strength in numbers, and that no one can tell our stories better than we can ourselves.” — Pa Der Lee, an LAT participant in SEARAC’s health track and Save Our Youth Coordinator based in Wisconsin
“SEARAC’s LAT 2025 is an affirmation for why we do the work we do to serve our Southeast Asian communities. Policy is personal, and each day of the program gave another reason for self-reflection. Through connection and joy, we remember we are more than our struggle, yet we learn how to leverage our stories and remembering our legacies of war and genocide.” — Vanessa Veak, a Cambodian American community member from Oakland, CA, who participated in SEARAC’s immigration track
“I wanted to share my family’s journey of coming to the US as refugees and what it means to grow up Southeast Asian and queer here. My parents and grandparents gave up everything to build a new life, but even now, so many in our community still struggle to feel truly safe and seen. As a queer Southeast Asian American, I’ve often felt like I exist in the gaps — not fully reflected in policies or conversations that shape our lives. It was important to me to remind my elected officials that our communities are here, that we matter, and that the choices they make directly impact families like mine.” — Frederick Tran, an LAT participant in SEARAC’s immigration track and Communications and Development Manager at NQAPIA
“As an undergraduate student, LAT provided me with access to a bunch of inspiring advocates (both staff and peers) who can really help someone chart out a path. I’ve been wanting to do advocacy work, but not sure what form it’ll take, and LAT gave me an abundance of inspiration and confidence to dive further alongside an immensely kind cohort. LAT was an inviting and safe environment, and thus created such productive conversations for our community. This is the perfect place for aspiring SEAA advocates to feel heard, inspired, educated, and empowered.” — Tyler Nguyen, a Vietnamese American student and Michigander who participated in SEARAC’s immigration track
“Typically, I am a source of entertainment and loud Lao energy, but coming to LAT allowed me the space and confidence to truly speak that of my heart. It was a great change of pace to display a different side of myself — one that is more thoughtful, sincere, and concerned of the world around us. Coming together as strangers, there were no preconceived expectations of how I should act or speak, but knowing we gathered for a similar purpose, that was my favorite part. Being authentic and honest with other people doing the same is my favorite part of LAT and life. I grew from this experience and that growth was encouraged by the people involved, although they may be unaware, the people were the best part.” — Jenlaya Angel Phomvongsa, an LAT participant in SEARAC’s education track and a Musical Manager to Jalern Sinh of the Cultural Program at Laotian American Society