About the campaign:

To shed light on the leadership aspirations and challenges faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) girls and gender-expansive youth, Girls Leadership, in collaboration with Evaluation Studio and the Girls Leadership’s Youth Research Council (YRC), has released this first-of-its-kind national study.

As Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders continue to emerge as one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the United States, comprising 7.7% of the total population, “Why We Lead” addresses a critical gap in research. Through a comprehensive approach encompassing a national survey of 2,275 youth participants, 30 in-depth interviews, photovoice submissions, and meaningful discussions with over 30 AANHPI-serving community-based organizations, as well as a national survey of 500 teachers, this report delves into the motivations, needs, and barriers faced by AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth.