Cultivating Nevada’s Next Generation of Leaders

Las Vegas, NV — August 16, 2025

Laughter, teamwork, and discovery filled the Bottega Exchange on Saturday morning as One APIA Nevada hosted the finale of its six-week youth programming series. The event, titled “Beneath the Surface” Scavenger Hunt, brought together local youth for a lively morning of games, food, and celebration — and a deeper conversation about democracy and leadership.

Youth Community Organizer Nelson Chen served as host, guiding participants through the scavenger hunt while also raising awareness about the redistricting battle in Texas. Chen explained how mid-decade maps backed by partisan lawmakers threaten to distort representation and weaken democracy. “This isn’t just about one state,” he told the group. “If democracy is undermined in Texas, it affects us all. We need to fight back.”

Targeted Community Organizer Kenale Ainuu echoed the message, noting that the Texas redistricting fight has already sparked nationwide attention and responses. He pointed out that several states are pursuing countermeasures, filing lawsuits, and even holding protests. Ainuu urged young people to recognize that leadership begins with awareness but grows through action.

The finale carried a celebratory tone as well. Executive Director Eric Jeng praised the fellows’ enthusiasm, calling them “an inspiration for Nevada’s future.” He awarded prizes to participants who had taken part throughout the six-week series, noting that their commitment showed what is possible when young people come together.

Yet Saturday’s event was not the end, but a beginning. Building on the energy of the six-week program, One APIA Nevada is now launching a youth fellowship program to continue cultivating leadership among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) students across the state.

The fellowship, which begins this August, will bring together high school and college students for four months of structured training, mentorship, and hands-on community work. Fellows will spend about 15 hours per week in workshops, office shifts, and project-based assignments. Weekly Saturday sessions will focus on advocacy, organizing, and leadership, with college students mentoring high school peers on practical skills like résumé writing, college applications, and test preparation.

Recruitment goals include onboarding up to 15 fellows in southern Nevada and 5–6 in the north. The program opens with a statewide orientation in August, reconvenes for a mid-point check-in in Reno in October, and concludes in December with a holiday celebration and impact report.

For One APIA Nevada, the fellowship represents a long-term investment in the future of the community. “Every participant is an investment in Nevada’s future,” Jeng said. “We are cultivating leaders who will carry our communities forward — not just for today, but for generations to come.”

[ABOUT ONE APIA NEVADA]

Founded in June 2018, One APIA Nevada (OAN) is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to empowering and advocating for Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Nevadans. One APIA Nevada coordinates community organizing, engages in direct voter engagement, and uplifts the voices of the AANHPI community through issue advocacy and education.

By One APIA Nevada