YOU’RE INVITED: Power of Voice Livestream!
Tuesday, April 30, 2024
7:00 – 8:30 PM Pacific
10:00 – 11:30 PM Eastern
On Tuesday, April 30, Girls Leadership is hosting our annual Power of Voice Benefit hosted in partnership with Gold House. This celebration marks the launch of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Youth Research Council’s groundbreaking youth-led research study on the leadership of AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth.
Our National Study of AANHPI Girls’ Leadership
Girls Leadership is thrilled to launch our groundbreaking research study, conducted in partnership with Evaluation Studio, on how ethnicity and culture impact the leadership development of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) girls. Until now, no national research existed on the experiences of AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth. Co-led with a Youth Research Council made up of 17 youth who identify as AANHPI and female or gender non-conforming, this study surveyed and interviewed the largest number of AANHPI identifying youth and adults to date. Through this study, we came to understand the wide-ranging definitions of leadership within the many communities and subgroups of AANHPI youth, as well as external supports and barriers to their success. Our data and recommended solutions will be shared nationwide so that teachers, schools, and community-based organizations can create greater equity in the leadership development of all girls.
Gold House
Gold House is the leading cultural ecosystem that unites, invests in, and champions Asian Pacific creators and companies to power tomorrow for all. Their innovative programs and platforms include membership systems and events to fortify relationships among the Asian Pacific community and with other marginalized communities (#StopAsianHate); first-of-its-kind ventures to propel the next generation of top Asian Pacific founders, creatives, and social impact leaders (Gold House Futures, Gold House Ventures); and industry-leading research, consulting, and marketing to promote authentic and affirming storytelling (Gold Storybook, Gold Open, Gold List, A100 List).
To learn more, visit www.goldhouse.org or follow @GoldHouseCo on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
MC
Gia Vang, Anchor and Reporter, NBC Bay Area
HONOREES
Jenny Ming, Chief Executive Officer, Rothy’s Inc.
Sheetal Sheth, Acclaimed actor/producer, author, and activist
AUCTIONEER
Franco Finn
ENTERTAINMENT
DJ Trixamillion
Hālau O Keikiali’i
NachleSF
Learn about our In-Person Event
SPONSORS
Leader
Power
Voice
Coni Frezzo & Ed Sannini
Courage
Wellbeing
The 900 Club
Dr. Resa Caivano
RESEARCH PARTNERS
IN-KIND DONATIONS FROM
BENEFIT COMMITTEE
Aditi Goel
Amira Dallafior
Devon McAllister Rothwell
Kelly Wan
Pratima Sethi
Shawntee Reed
Victoria Fan Azalde
YOUTH RESEARCH COUNCIL
Alice Pham
Arisha Choudhury
Aspen Dong
Azra Bashir
Jade Xu
Kathleen Hoang
Leiana Talo Lepule
Lou Fei Cariello
Mariya Siddiqui
Momoca Mairaj
Mozelle Bertelsen
Nikita Jadhav
Nomin
Ruksana Ruhee
Yehji Hwang
Yingshan Chen
Zuhra Muzzafar
RESEARCH CABINET
Dr. Anne T. Vo
Beckie Masaki
Cimone Satele
Dr. Deepali Bagati
Laura Wronski
Kelly Wan
Margaret Lee
Dr. Margo Okazawa-Rey
Maria Kiskis
Natalie Demers
Pratima Sethi
Rayna Wang
Regina Manzana-Sawhney
Sameen Shahid
Dr. Stephanie Wood-Garnett
Victoria Fan Azalde
ADVISORY BOARD
Audrey Choi
Jeannette Pai-Espinosa
June Sugiyama
Mala Singh
Mari Horita
Minh-Tam Nguyen
Prisca Bae
Victoria Tung
EVALUATION STUDIO
Evaluation Studio is an innovative and community-centered research and evaluation firm. Our model is more than just research; it’s about upending knowledge creation by centering the experiences and voices of the communities we serve.
As a research firm run by women of color, our lived experiences directly inform our work. We believe that knowledge and data are collaborative, generative processes. Our focus on fostering community and connection extends not only into how we conduct the research, but also in how the company itself functions. By working to break down how traditional research separates the subjects from the researchers, we can help to build up communities with transformative research that focuses on instinct, empathy, and growth.
MEET OUR HONOREES
Jenny Ming
Jenny Ming is the Chief Executive Officer of Rothy’s, Inc., the fast-growing retailer bringing stylish, sustainable footwear and accessories to over 3 million fans worldwide. Serving as Independent Director on Rothy’s Board since June 2022, Ms. Ming joined the Company full time in January 2024 and today leads Rothy’s as the business scales via retail, wholesale, and international expansion.
Prior to joining Rothy’s, Ms. Ming held various executive roles at Gap, Inc. including Founder and President of Old Navy from 1993 through 2006, where she led all aspects of Old Navy and its 900 retail clothing stores in the U.S. and Canada. Ms. Ming then joined specialty retailer Charlotte Russe, where as President and Chief Executive Officer she oversaw over 600 stores across the United States from 2010-2019.
In addition to Rothy’s Board, Ms. Ming has previously served on the Boards of Poshmark and Affirm and currently serves on the Boards of Levi Strauss & Co., Kendra Scott, and Kaiser Foundation Health Plan & Hospitals. Ms. Ming is deeply passionate about mentoring the next generation of women in business, and she’s been recognized by Fortune, Business Week, Wall Street Journal and the New York Times for her outstanding leadership style.
Sheetal Sheth
Sheetal Sheth is an acclaimed actress/producer, author, and activist. She is known for her provocative performances in a wide range of memorable roles on film and television. She has starred in over 20 feature films and many TV shows and has earned a loyal, international following. Sheetal has become a favorite in the independent film world, having won five best actress awards on the festival circuit.
Sheth began her career at a time when few South Asians were making their living as actors. Despite being told she’d have to change her name to work, her successful career has trail-blazed paths for other women of color across media. Sheetal has represented brands such as CHI hair care and Reebok. She has delivered talks and keynotes at festivals and charity galas and has had op-eds published on CNN, The Daily Beast, Parents.com, and Thrive Global. She is one of the founders of the non-profit, For The Love of Reading, and is an ambassador for the global literacy non-profit, Room to Read. She served in AmeriCorps and is currently on the board of SAYA and the advisory board of Equality Now. She is the author of the best-selling and award-winning Anjali children’s book series (Penguin Random House), the first in this age group featuring an Indian American girl hero. Her book, Making Happy is an ode to mental health. It was voted one of the best books of 2022 and won an IPPY Award. Sheetal is a contributor in the Rebel Girls’ latest title Dear Rebel, a book featuring 145 groundbreaking women who share their best advice for the girls of today.
Sheetal focuses on highlighting traditionally marginalized communities in all of her work and is a fierce advocate for thoughtful representation. Her upcoming books include Raashi’s Rakhis (summer, 2024) and Anjali Can (2025) and she is in post-production on ‘Hummingbird,’ a feature film she stars in and produced. You can see Sheetal on the cover of several magazines including Anokhi, Audrey, Woman International, Seema as well as featured in many magazines. www.sheetalsheth.com
MEET OUR MC
Gia Vang
Gia Vang is an Emmy-award winning television news anchor and reporter with more than 15 years of experience in markets across the country. Currently, Gia is an anchor and reporter for NBC Bay Area. She is the first news anchor of Hmong descent in a major U.S. news market. Gia is the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos. She grew up in Sacramento and comes from a big family. She graduated from Sacramento State with a degree in journalism. Gia is also the co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation, a non-profit that seeks to shed light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration. The movement was sparked in 2022 after a fellow television journalist and Korean adoptee, Michelle Li, shared a racist voicemail on social media she received after sharing a new year’s day Korean tradition on air. Gia resides in Oakland with her partner and dog.
MEET OUR AUCTIONEER
Franco Finn
Franco Finn is entering his 22nd Season as the In-Arena MC and TV Personality for the Golden State Warriors. Known as the “Warriors Hype Man” at The Chase Center in San Francisco, he performs live in front of 20,000+ fans each night. Franco’s job is to energize and entertain the crowds and his responsibilities include introducing the team’s starting lineup, hosting the pre-game show “Warriors TV” and conducting all the contests and promos at the Arena. Also, Franco is currently on-air on ABC-7 and freelances as an MC/host for the San Francisco Giants’ special events for the past 16 seasons. He is a local and national MC, hosting a variety of sporting events from NASCAR to Red Bull’s extreme sports events. His previous stints include being an on-air personality and host for TV and Radio for CBS, Comcast SportsNet, the Oakland Raiders (NFL Network), KOFY-TV, KRON 4, Radio Disney, KGO AM 810, and guest appearances on ESPN Radio.
Franco Finn is also a professional auctioneer and graduated from the prestigious Mendenhall School of Auctioneering in North Carolina, and also holds the Benefit Auctioneer Specialist designation (B.A.S.) from the National Auctioneer Association (NAA). He’s been involved in a multitude of fundraising and corporate events for various high-profile companies to non-profits. He has worked with some of the most recognized non-profit charities and organizations from the American Red Cross, March of Dimes, The Ronald McDonald House, the Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, just to name a handful, helping to raise millions of dollars and counting, in his career!
MEET OUR ENTERTAINMENT
DJ Trixamillion
Trixamillion is a local Bay Area-based DJ who has been working professionally for 5 years in the industry. She has been booked in numerous bars, clubs, and music venues in San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose playing multi-genre parties and even themed parties geared towards R&B, Hip-hop, Hyphy, Afrobeats, Pop, Dance, House, and the rare remixes and edits. Through her recent travels, she has played as far as Manila, Philippines, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Houston & Austin, Texas, as well as Las Vegas, Nevada. Staying loyal to her roots, she has even been booked for popular parties like Cuffin’ All Thangs R&B party, R&B and Ribs, and taking the festival stage at OutsideLands. Trixamillion upholds a professional and authentic standard of the art of turntablism. She is very resourceful and has provided a class through Ladies 1st DJ Club, Bay Area on how to successfully pursue DJing as a career.
NachleSF
NachleSF is a Bollywood-Fusion dance company of 22 dancers based in San Francisco, and is a testament to the cultural diversity and artistic fusion of South Asian dance. 100% of our dancers are working professionals or students, and our goal is to bring together talented dancers across the bay and grow from each other’s artistic strengths. We aim to bridge the gap between our South Asian and American heritage and showcase our passion for Bollywood Fusion as well as different styles of the South Asian diaspora, from classical styles such as Kathak to urban or contemporary Bollywood.
Hālau o Keikiali’i
Hālau O Keikiali’i is a Hawaiian cultural & dance group based in South San Francisco under the direction of Kumu Hula Kawika Alfiche. Since 1994, our goal has been to educate the general public about the Hawaiian Culture, its traditional customs, values and protocols. Our primary focus is on cultural traditions, including hula kahiko (ancient dance), hula `auana (modern dance), oli (chant), mele (traditional songs), himeni (modern songs), nā mea hula (arts, crafts, implements), lole hula (hula attire), ‘ōlelo (language), and mo’olelo (stories).
The hālau is comprised of both men and women, young and old, ranging from 5 to 85 years of age and presents theatre productions highlighting hula in its many aspects. Following tradition, we share what we learn with different communities so that others too can benefit from a better understanding and appreciation of Hawaiian culture. It is within the stories told in the mele, and its morals and values, that people can truly be enriched in their personal lives. We hope to reach people far and wide, touching everyone who may or may not be exposed to the Hawaiian culture and share with them in this spirit.
Join the Power of Voice benefit livestream to watch our AANHPI Youth Research Council present their key findings, dance with us as we celebrate our honorees, and make sure every girl knows her power!
Help us spread the word: download and share this flyer.
