The Young Leaders Council (YLC) is APALA's organizing home for young workers and labor leaders (under 35). We work together to provide a vibrant and supportive community where we can grow and develop as leaders in APALA, in our unions, and in our communities. No previous experience with APALA or with labor unions is necessary. We learn from and with one another. A virtual welcome event for new and returning YLC members is being planned for October 2020, so sign up today!
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History
At the 2011 APALA National Convention, delegates accepted a proposal from the Young Leaders Caucus that called for the creation of a body within the organization that would focus on engaging the next generation of young Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizers and leaders. The APALA Young Leaders Council (YLC) was formed in April 2012 when the first group of YLC appointees convened in Washington, D.C. At then end of that year, appointees met again in Oakland, CA to begin organizing the creation of a young worker curriculum on unions and immigrant labor. Workshops based on that curriculum were presented to college Asian American studies classes in areas where YLC members resided. Prior to the 2013 APALA National Convention, the YLC organized a Young Leaders Summit that brought together students and young union activists to talk about contemporary labor, economic, and racial justice issues impacting young workers. Summit attendees also helped to organize and prepare for the 2013 convention's action: a march for comprehensive immigration reform. The YLC continued to hold young worker-focused summits and organizing trainings in conjunction with the 2015 and 2017 APALA National Conventions and met regularly over phone and video conferences between conventions to support one another's work in their unions, community organizations, and local APALA chapters. At the 2019 Convention, YLC leaders assisted in drafting the "Resolution for APALA to Diversify and Strengthen AAPI Leadership,” and convention attendees passed the resolution in recognition that APALA's growth depends on "the continuous identification, development, support, mentorship education and empowerment of new, young, and diverse leadership.” |
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