From Storytellers to Young Leaders: Asian American Stories Youth Interns Shine at Asian Food Expo

By Nina Huanyu Liu

Silicon Valley, CA — August 17, 2026 — Under the bright summer sun, a group of teenagers wearing Asian American Stories T-shirts could be seen moving throughout the Asian Food Expo on August 15–16 — approaching families waiting in line, speaking with people enjoying their food, greeting visitors at the booth, and sharing one simple but powerful message:

Our stories matter. We need to tell them ourselves.

These young people came from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, and some lived far from the event venue. Yet for two days, they came together with one shared purpose: encouraging more Asian Americans to tell their stories.

They were youth interns – Ella, Kimaaya, Sophia, and Milo – from the Asian American Stories Summer Program, where they spent the summer learning storytelling, video production, communication, teamwork, and community engagement.

Only weeks earlier, many of them had been shy when practicing how to introduce Asian American Stories. At the Expo, something had changed.

They spoke confidently and passionately with people they had never met. They explained why Asian American Stories was created, invited community members to participate, and introduced next year’s theme: “Our Food, Our Stories.”

For these students, that theme was especially meaningful. They had already created their own videos exploring food, family, culture, and identity during the summer program. They were no longer simply promoting a contest. They were sharing something they personally understood and believed in.

One of the most touching moments came around lunchtime. Food had already been purchased and placed on the table for the interns, but they were so busy speaking with visitors that a long time passed before some of them stopped to eat. Adult team members finally stepped in to cover their positions and encouraged them to take a break.

Throughout the two-day event, the students worked in teams, walking through the festival in the heat with energy, smiles, and determination.

Behind Every Young Leader Is a Family That Believes in Them

There was another part of this story that visitors may not have seen.

Some of our interns live quite far from the event. Their parents drove long distances to bring them to the Expo, left them with us for their shifts, and then returned hours later to pick them up.

Those drives, those hours, and that willingness to support a young person’s commitment to community service are also part of the Asian American Stories story.

Youth leadership does not grow in isolation. Behind these young people are families willing to invest their time, energy, and trust so their children can learn, serve, and grow.

We are deeply grateful to these parents.

The students’ dedication did not go unnoticed.

The organizer of the Asian Food Expo commented that the Asian American Stories youth seemed to be everywhere and were among the most active teams at the entire event. A neighboring exhibitor, Marian, was so impressed that she asked:

“How did you train these young people to be so mature and capable?”

The answer goes beyond training.

Through the Asian American Stories summer program, mentors including Nina Liu, Elly He, Penny Zou, and other volunteers created opportunities for young people not simply to learn skills, but to discover that their voices have value and that they have something meaningful to contribute to their community.

Youth interns Ella, Kimaaya, Sophia, and Milo, representing different backgrounds and experiences, demonstrated that growth beautifully at the Expo.

Watching them was a powerful reminder of why Asian American Stories exists.

When we started this initiative, our goal was to encourage Asian Americans to tell our own stories, document our own experiences, and become part of the American narrative. But seeing these young people confidently carrying that message into the community revealed something even more important.

We are not only preserving the stories of one generation. We are preparing the storytellers and community leaders of the next.

And perhaps that is one of the most hopeful things about this program: young people from different ethnicities and family backgrounds discovering that while their individual stories may be different, they can stand together, listen to one another, and build a stronger Asian American voice together.

Leadership does not suddenly begin when someone receives a title.

Sometimes it begins with a parent making a long drive so a child can participate.

Sometimes it begins with a teenager standing under the summer sun, approaching a stranger and saying with confidence:

“Your story matters. We hope you will share it.”

That is the future we saw at the Asian Food Expo — and it gives us tremendous hope.

About Asian American Stories

Asian American Stories is a community storytelling initiative founded by Silicon Valley Community Media and Ding Ding TV to encourage Asian Americans of all generations and backgrounds to document their experiences, share their voices, and contribute their stories to the broader American narrative.

The 2027 youth theme, “Our Food, Our Stories,” invites young people to explore the powerful connections among food, family, culture, immigration, identity, and belonging.

Learn more at AAStories.org.