The primary objective of the Asian/Pacific Islander Students Lead (API) is to empower students to become effective leaders and advocates for the API community by fostering inclusivity within their organizations and campuses. The conference aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge needed to cultivate accepting and equitable environments, preparing them for success in diverse workplaces. Through experiential workshops and discussions, attendees will delve into the rich history and diversity of the API community, evaluate its current state, and envision its future. To achieve these goals, the following four essential areas of learning will be emphasized:
Heighten Awareness
Foster an understanding of the API diaspora, history, and culture, encouraging exploration of these aspects.
Cultivate self-awareness by acknowledging personal biases and acceptance levels towards the API community.
Recognize and appreciate the diverse and intersecting identities within the API community, encompassing sexual orientation, ability, age, ethnicity, gender identity, geographic origin, national origin, race, religion/spiritual traditions, and socioeconomic class.
Promote awareness of privilege inequities both within and beyond the API community.
Encourage appreciation for both differences and similarities among individuals.
Cultivate empathy and concern regarding the impact of social injustice.
Encourage proactive steps towards promoting social change on their respective campuses.
Expand Knowledge
Understand that genuine leadership values and empowers all members of a group.
Comprehend the various levels of prejudice and how they can escalate to more harmful forms.
Gain deeper insights into the history of API-Americans in the United States.
Explore global diversity issues, including ongoing and past human rights violations that have occurred within their lifetimes.
Enhance knowledge about each dimension of diversity.
Acquire an understanding of essential vocabulary related to the API community.
Develop Skills
Enhance effective communication skills, encompassing both verbal and non-verbal aspects.
Foster inclusive leadership skills that value and engage all members of the API community.
Encourage others to share their stories by demonstrating respectful interest and curiosity through the use of open-ended questions.
Respond to biased statements or actions in a manner that encourages dialogue rather than debate or arguments.
Stand up and advocate for their own rights as well as the rights of others.
Establish and maintain campus spaces that are free from bias and discrimination.
Plan for Social Action
Assume leadership roles in service projects and programs that benefit the API community.
Actively seek interactions with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Foster inclusive environments on campus by working effectively with others.
Strive to influence those within their spheres of influence concerning issues of bias, discrimination, and social justice.
Make a positive impact on their campuses and communities.
By focusing on these areas, the API Conference aims to empower students to become leaders who champion inclusivity and effect positive change within the API community and beyond.
A National Conference for LGBTQA+ Student Leaders, Advisors, and Allies
NSLDC Pride is a leadership conference which provides student leaders with the skillsets to encourage a society free of anti-LGBTQA+ prejudice, bigotry and hate on their campuses. Through experiential workshops, keynote sessions, and roundtable discussions; students will be given the tools to become stronger leaders and allies to the LGBTQA+ community by practicing inclusion in their organizations and on their campuses. During the conference students will be led through facilitated workshops to develop a campus action plan to bring back to their own campuses and communities.
