A Safe Space for LA’s Youth Voices

The second annual ‘Harmony Horizon: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Solidarity Conference’ took place on April 27, 2024. Created with the intention of uniting high school and college students to explore the profound significance of solidarity and allyship within the AAPI community through a series of community responsive workshops like “what is happening in Gaza?”, a Kali self-defense class, and “what is AAPI hate and how to report it” to name a few.

At the heart of the conference goals is the commitment to fostering an environment of safety and inclusion for our youth, where every participant's voice is valued. Together, we embarked on a journey of sharing experiences, forging genuine connections, and engaging in meaningful dialogue. It is through this collaborative effort that we can empower our communities and confront the myriad challenges we encounter.

SIPA firmly believes that building community and standing in solidarity are indispensable pillars in the pursuit of social justice, equity, and inclusivity.

Thank you to our keynote speaker, Dr. Pau Abustan, and our partners/workshop presenters SPACE@UCLA, USC Troy Philippines, ANSWER Coalition, Guro Alvin (Pamana Kali), Chan Saelee (AJSOCAL), Nash Salas, Shane Villanueva, and our very own executive director Kimmy Maniquis, for contributing to making the workshops meaningful and engaging. 

The conference would not be complete without Filipino arts and culture performances by Malaya Dance, RAVINA, and Aiana Shaw, keeping the energy high throughout the day.