ASPIRE (Asian Sisters Participating in Reaching Excellence) is a Boston-based non-profit organization dedicated to Asian American girls and women in the area of career and leadership development. With a strong membership base of 500+ members nationwide and 150+ professional volunteers, we develop programs that engage, educate and empower Asian American high school, college, and professional women to become effective, lifelong leaders.

The Asian American (AA) community often faces stereotypes of being a “model minority”– an ethnic group that has already achieved success and needs little support. As a result, AA girls often lack mentors and role models. AA girls that struggle to fulfill the “model minority” myth are at severe risk for mental illness, challenged by the clash between American individualism and the Asian tradition of putting family and community first. ASPIRE aims to empower AA women through customized leadership training and career development, hands-on civic engagement in their communities and schools, and individual mentoring. Our goal is to improve their coping skills, self-confidence, mental and career outlook.