Two PHS clubs, Advocacy for Asian Americans (AAA) and Black Student Union (BSU), presented a video to the school board on Wednesday about their mentorship program at Havens Elementary School.
The two organizations came together to create this mentorship program after realizing the necessity of creating a space for students to talk about their identities at a young age.
The mentoring program was made possible by a grant provided by the Piedmont Appreciating Diversity Committee (PADC).
“Although we had different experiences and we had different struggles and pains, we wanted to put all that energy into making the next generation of kids in Piedmont feel welcome and feel safe,” senior Anthony Wong said.
So far, the groups have recruited 16 mentors for over 50 students, and they plan to expand to other elementary schools and identity groups to incorporate gender identities and religious identities. In addition, the mentors hosted a Lunar New Year festival last year to celebrate part of the Asian American identity that is often overlooked in the community.
The video is available on YouTube (https://youtu.be/3NRPyp3hnns) and on the Instagram account for the Advocacy for Asian Americans organization (@piedmontaaa).