Advocacy, Policy and Leadership Development

Advocacy and policy programming is another cornerstone of the Future of Us.

The organization is committed to empowering young Asian Minnesotans to be active in the election process and ensuring the voices of Asian American voters are heard. Before the November election, the Future of Us helped organize mayoral candidate forums in both Minneapolis and Saint Paul, giving community a direct line to engage with their candidates. It also contacted more than 2,665 potential Asian American voters between the ages 18-35, receiving 549 pledges to vote in the municipal elections.

This year, Advocacy and Policy Manager Tenzin Choesang has also been meeting with elected officials to build relationships and lay the groundwork for future town halls and Asian Pacific Islander Youth Day at the Capitol on May 8, 2026. These efforts aim to bridge the gap between youth and their representatives, fostering informed and engaged decision-making.

Another initiative is their annual Asian Youth Justice Summit, designed to empower young people, normalize the concept of justice, social transformation and build trust within the community.

“Youth really need to be with other youth to see themselves as leaders in their communities,” Tori said. “In our last Asian Youth Justice Summit, we had a workshop where people were envisioning what life could look like if they had the autonomy to really be a leader in designing their own world.”

Youth had the opportunity to experience belonging and find out how joy itself can be a form of resistance.

One of the organization’s other innovative programs is its micro-granting initiative. Since 2020, the Future of Us has worked with Youthprise giving youth the opportunity to become grantmakers and fund projects that create change in their communities.

Through grants, the nonprofit has trained and supported students in launching their own voter registration drives, educational events and leadership development.