About aaal
A PLATFORM FOR ALL
Asian American Advancing Leadership (AAAL) is a non–profit organization founded by a group of Asian Americans on April 6, 2021 in Columbia, South Carolina. AAAL founders are inspired by Asian American leaders like Dean Lung and leadership writers like Robert K. Greenleaf. AAAL designs and implements different educational programs and scholarship opportunities to encourage more Asian Americans to follow the footsteps of great servant leaders in history.
Your Initiative, Your call!
AAAL is a project-based platform integrating volunteers, ideas and resources in fostering and enhancing leadership and community spirits in Asian Americans. AAAL welcomes:
- Passionate volunteers;
- If you have a great idea of leadership development and community service. Come to talk to us and we will help connect you with the right volunteers and resources;
- If you support Asian American leadership development and community building but you don’t have the time. You may choose to sponsor one of our projects and we will work hard on your behalf!
AAAL Mission & Vision
AAAL mission: To recognize and advance leadership in AAPI communities through innovative awards and mentorship programs.
AAAL vision: An America with more AAPI leaders and consolidated AAPI communities.
AAAL Core Values
AAAL has a”SPACER” core value:
- Leadership comes from Serving others.
- Be Positive not negative.
- Don’t complain, Act now!
- Focus on Commonalities, not differences
- Change people through Education.
- Recognize people’s contributions.
Meet the Team
AAAL is run by a group of passionate and committed volunteers from all walks of life. We look forward to having you join us as a leadership team member or as an advisory board member!
Dr. Chaowei Zhu
Dr. Zhu is an accomplished educator. He is a firm believer that “education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” In April 2021, Dr. Zhu and his team founded AAAL in fulfilling their commitment to serve the AAPI community and to help more Asian Americans foster and develop leadership. Dr. Zhu helps set policies and strategic direction for AAAL and ensure AAAL follows its mission, policies and procedures that are in place. In his spare time, Dr. Zhu likes to travel and experience different cultures, read sci-fi novels and spend time with his family, friends and pets.
Lin Wang
Before joining the AAAL, Mr. Lin Wang has worked in various fields. A graduate from Simon Business School, Rochester, NY, Mr. Wang gained his experience in purchasing, marketing and corporate planning over a decade. He focused his work on international recruitment before moving to Columbia, South Carolina. He brought a significant number of international students to University of South Carolina via extensive cooperation with academic partners around the world. Mr. Wang helps AAAL maintain efficient relationship with its strategic partners and oversees the AAAL’s events implementation. He is also in charge of financial operation, making sure every penny raised will be spent on food and drink. Mr. Wang spends his spare time in reading and writing. He loves cooking only to escape from cleaning dishes.
Weiquan Cen
Mr. Cen came to the U.S. in 2000 and he has been a passionate volunteer and charismatic community leader ever since. He was a founding member of the the Chinese Association of Columbia (CAC) in 2005 and served as the CAC 8th president (2015-18) . Mr. Cen is an experienced engineer and skillful fisherman.
Dr. Junlan Li
Dr. Li is a renowned educator in the fields of immersion program and language and culture teaching. She has contributed to several successful public Chinese immersion charter schools in the Carolinas. Junlan helps AAAL design and implement its leadership development programs. Dr. Li graduated from the Doctor of Education program at University of South Carolina in July, 2021. She was the recipient the Ai Ling Guan Educator Award in 2020.
Mingsheng He
Mr. Mingsheng He is a famed director most noted for his work on advertising and music videos. He firmly believes in beauty, poetry and creativity. Since 2000, he has produced and directed more than 300 commercials and music videos. His directing style is known for its poetry, beauty, delicacy, humanistic temperament and unique sense of camera shots, and his music video works and advertising works have won many awards.
