Asian American Youth Empowerment Forum Scheduled For Saturday

ST. LOUIS, MO — A newly created Asian American advocacy group will hold a panel discussion on political empowerment from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, at the St. Louis County Library on Lindbergh Avenue. Organized by EARLY — Education, Advocacy, Representation and Leadership for Youth — the event will feature Asian American members of St. Louis' political community discussing civic engagement and the role of Asian Americans in the region's political future, according to a press release.

EARLY is Missouri's first statewide Asian American and Pacific Islander advocacy organization and is focused on empowering youth, organizers say. The group's first forum will focus on overcoming barriers that Asian Americans face in the political sphere, including impacts of the "model minority" myth and how Asian American community structures impact political organizing.

"Asian Americans are not perceived as a force in politics here, and this forum is an effort to train up youth to change that," the group said in a press release.

Panelists will include former Mehlville School Board President Venki Palamand, Missouri Medical Cannabis Trade Association Board Member Mimi Vo, founder of Students Demand Action St. Louis Sunny Lu and former Wesley Bell for St. Louis County Prosecutor organizer and rising college sophomore Noor Rahman.

About 50 Asian American youth are expected to attend. The event is open to the public.