Our Story
Founded in 1998 by Sandy Dang, Asian American LEAD was born from a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Vietnamese refugees and immigrants in Washington, DC. Sandy's vision was to create a community-driven organization that addresses the unique needs of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) youth. Over the years, AALEAD has expanded its reach to serve a diverse, multi-ethnic community across Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. With over 25 years of dedicated service, AALEAD has positively impacted thousands of AAPI youth through mentoring, summer, and after-school programs.