Reflecting on Community In Action | | |
Two weeks ago, delegates from UCA WAVES gathered in Las Vegas to participate in the 5th annual Chinese American Convention, and we’re still not over what an incredible time we had! The convention marked the 10th anniversary of both UCA and UCA WAVES, and we were so happy to celebrate this milestone alongside members of our community. Additionally, UCA WAVES was honored to host the Community In Action mental health summit as part of the larger conference. Through a lineup of engaging and inspiring programs, this event brought together powerful voices, sparked meaningful conversation, and highlighted how mental health can be woven into everyday life.
Attendees participated in morning yoga and meditation, reflective sessions on parent-child relationships, discussions on careers in mental health, digital storytelling, youth research and advocacy, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) suicide prevention training, a community showcase, and so much more. One of our favorite moments was watching youth volunteers energize the crowd with a flash mob performance of "Golden" from KPop Demon Hunters, celebrating AAPI confidence, identity, and culture. Our team also premiered its original Three-and-a-Half Sentence comedy skit, How We Ride WAVES, which humorously reflected on our organization's decade-long journey of breaking the silence around mental health in our communities. We were touched by the warm reception this skit received!
Along with reflecting on the past and present, we also got a glimpse into our future (spoiler alert: it’s looking bright!). Pioneers of the next generation traveled from across the country to share original research and compelling stories through art, film, and personal narratives. These projects explored topics including identity, bullying, family communication, and the experiences of immigrant families. Each youth presentation demonstrated the creativity, courage, and leadership of young people who are driving meaningful change in their communities.
The summit also provided a valuable opportunity for scholars, mental health professionals, families, youth leaders, and representatives from community organizations to come together and form partnerships. These conversations centered on mental health promotion, family support, youth empowerment, and cross-sector collaboration., By opening up dialog across different areas of the mental health field and connecting professionals directly to the populations they serve, events like these are an important step towards building healthier, more inclusive, and more resilient AAPI communities. We would like to thank everyone who attended for their valuable contributions!
As we enter our next decade of impact, we warmly invite you to continue supporting and participating in this movement. Mark your calendars for September 10–11, 2027, in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the next UCA WAVES mental health summit, as we continue turning compassion into action and building healthier, stronger, and more hopeful communities for all!
Check out the convention’s official program book at the link below!
| | UCA WAVES Featured in Convention Recap | |
We're honored to be featured in this Chinese-language recap of Day 2 of the convention!
The article highlights our mental health summit, Community In Action, where we explored self-care, youth mental health, peer support, the power of community, and so much more. Read the full article (in Chinese) below.
| | | | Empowering the Next Generation of Researchers | | |
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One of the highlights of our Community In Action mental health summit was our Young Scholars & Advocates session, where youth researchers, advocates, and digital storytellers shared innovative projects exploring some of the most pressing issues facing AAPI communities today.
Projects covered topics ranging from mental health stigma and family resilience to youth civic engagement, health literacy, and creative approaches to advocacy. Undoubtedly, each presentation reflected the wide-ranging interests and remarkable talent of the next generation of changemakers. We were especially excited to welcome presenters from diverse backgrounds across the United States (and even Hong Kong!), demonstrating how youth leadership in mental health can unite cultures and reach across borders
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A heartfelt thank you to Dr. Meina Liu for organizing this incredible session, as well as to our distinguished judges—Victor Armstrong, MSW; Dr. Mary Shen; Dr. Bonnie Liao; Jing (Gene) Chang; and Jing Kong—for sharing their time, expertise, and encouragement with our presenters. Last but not least, congratulations to all of our outstanding presenters. Your scholarship, creativity, and passion remind us that the next generation isn't just preparing to shape the future of mental health, but is already leading the way.
Want to check out the full list of projects? Click on the button below!
| | Celebrating Culture with Confidence | | |
One of the most unforgettable moments from the event was the performance of "Golden" from the 2025 animated film KPop Demon Hunters. Since its release, this film has gone from an unexpected hit to a global sensation, resonating with audiences around the world for its celebration of Korean culture and its portrayal of characters who embrace every part of who they are. The song "Golden" carries a powerful message of stepping out of the shadows, finding your voice, and recognizing your own worth, all messages that deeply align with our work to empower AAPI communities.
More than just a fun performance, the flash mob became a celebration of identity, confidence, and the power of being seen. As our Executive Director, Lily Chen, shared, "The energy from our next generation—and okay, us too—revealed something deeply felt: we want to be seen. No more hiding."
That spirit filled the room as voices joined together in song, reminding us that representation matters, our stories matter, and every person deserves to feel heard, valued, and celebrated. We want to leave you with these lyrics straight from the song:
“We're goin' up, up, up, it's our moment
You know together we're glowin'
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh-oh-oh, up, up, up with our voices
Gonna be, gonna be golden
Oh-oh-oh, I'm done hidin', now I'm shinin' like I'm born to be
Oh, our time, no fears, no lies
That's who we're born to be.”
You can watch a short excerpt of the performance below. Here's to finding our voices, celebrating who we are, and staying golden!
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