Today we’d like to introduce you to Mehgan Yen.
Mehgan, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, just east of Los Angeles, in a community where more Asian Americans live than in 42 states combined. Surrounded by my culture and heritage, I felt a deep sense of pride in being Taiwanese American. The vibrancy of my community was a source of strength, and it gave me a connection to something larger than myself.
But, like many, my journey wasn’t without its challenges. Middle school was a particularly difficult time. I was bullied relentlessly, for the way I looked and for simply being myself. The hurtful words and actions gradually ate away at my self-esteem until I started to believe them. I felt like I was trapped in an inescapable nightmare, alone and isolated.
By the time I turned 13, I reached a breaking point. I didn’t know how to ask for help since mental health wasn’t something we talked about in my community. It was still a taboo subject in many Asian families. I felt desperate and invisible, and when I couldn’t see a way out, I tried to end it all. Thankfully, I survived my suicide attempt, and over the years, I found my way toward healing.
In 2018, I moved to Denver. For the first time, I truly felt what it meant to be Asian in America. With only about 4% of the population here identifying as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI), I often felt like an outsider. I wasn’t sure if I belonged or if I was safe in many spaces. I knew I wanted to do something about this, but I wasn’t sure how.
Then, in 2020, I met Joanne Liu, who invited me to share my story as a storyteller for the pilot of what would eventually become Asian Girls Ignite. Amid the pandemic and a surge in anti-Asian hate incidents, I shared my experiences over Zoom with seven middle school students. That moment was transformative. After the call, I closed my laptop and allowed myself to cry, because I knew — deep in my heart — that this was a space I needed when I was younger.
Since that day, I’ve been co-creating Asian Girls Ignite alongside our community. This work resonated with me deeply because the heartbreaking truth is that I wasn’t alone in feeling how I did in middle school. Suicide is the leading cause of death for AANHPI youth ages 15 to 24 (CDC, 2021). In fact, suicide rates in AANHPI youth have doubled in the last decade (Ramchand, Gordon, & Pearson, 2021). As someone who has lived through that pain, these statistics hit me hard.
Asian Girls Ignite is everything I wish I had when I was younger, a space that is not only supportive but also culturally relevant. A space where AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth can truly thrive. Today I am incredibly proud that over 300 students across the Denver Metro area are receiving the support I once needed, and I am deeply grateful to be a part of their journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey to where Asian Girls Ignite stands today has been made smoother by the strength of our incredible community. Whenever we’ve faced a challenge, there’s always been someone there to lend a hand. Whether through a word of encouragement, a shared resource, or a simple act of support, our community has been there for us, and for that, I am eternally grateful.
Of course, starting a nonprofit is never easy, and as first-time founders without a background in this sector, we’ve faced our fair share of hurdles. From learning the ins and outs of fundraising to building a program that’s sustainable and truly supports the mental health of our students, each obstacle has taught us something valuable.
One of my greatest challenges has been learning how to build every aspect of the organization, from launching new programs to managing a growing team, all while juggling being a new mom. It’s a delicate balance, finding processes that honor our mission while maintaining the clarity of our vision. I’m still learning, and I continue to lean on the wisdom of others for guidance. Another challenge we’ve faced is raising awareness around the unique barriers AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth face, and ensuring that our work reaches those who need it most.
Through it all, one thing has remained clear: community is the key to everything. Our struggles have shaped Asian Girls Ignite into the organization it is today, and they continue to fuel my unwavering commitment to supporting AANHPI youth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Asian Girls Ignite is a Colorado non-profit cultivating spaces of belonging where AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth are celebrated for exactly who they are: powerful, confident, and full of limitless potential. We believe our students already possess the wisdom and strength to lead bold futures. Our purpose is to walk beside them, providing the tools, community, and support they need to ignite change on their own terms.
Every program we offer is rooted in storytelling, mentorship, and leadership development. We connect students to incredible AANHPI women who serve as mentors, guiding them through connecting with their cultures, finding confidence in their identities, and creating meaningful change in our communities.
We know that when our students feel seen, heard, and valued — they thrive. And when they thrive, they go on to create a world where future generations won’t have to question whether they belong.
Our programs are a reflection of this belief, and the impact speaks for itself: 97% of students feel more seen, heard, and valued, and 95% have found a deeper sense of belonging. One sixth-grade student, Melody, said, “Asian Girls Ignite is a safe space to be free, to say, ‘This is me. This is my identity.’” Another high school student, Janelle, shared, “Before Asian Girls Ignite, I wasn’t proud of my Asian identity. Now I love sharing this side of me.”
I’m most proud of our students, who continually step into their power. Whether it’s raising their hand in class when they never could before, starting AANHPI affinity groups in their schools, or speaking into microphones at local protests, watching them use their voices to create their own spaces of belonging has been nothing short of inspiring.
Since our founding in 2020, we’ve grown to offer five programs: Middle School, High School, Outdoors, Summer, and Mentorship. To date, we’ve served nearly 300 students and are supported by over 200 mentors. Our dedicated AANHPI women staff include four full-time, four part-time staff members, and two contractors. We’re proud to be the only non-profit in Colorado serving all AANHPI girls and gender-expansive youth, year-round — and this is only the beginning. We have plans to expand across Colorado and eventually, nationwide.
For those who want to stay connected and learn more about our work, I encourage readers to sign up for our email newsletters, where they can find updates on our upcoming events, news, and more.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I do consider myself a risk-taker, though I don’t always see it as taking risks in the traditional sense. For me, it’s about stepping outside my comfort zone and embracing new opportunities for growth, even when they’re uncertain. Some of the best things in my life today have come from those very moments where I chose to take a leap, even when I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be.
Starting Asian Girls Ignite was one of those moments. It meant venturing into uncharted territory, taking on the challenge of building something meaningful from the ground up, and pushing myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. But it was that risk, the willingness to step up and create something I believed in, that ultimately allowed me to build something that’s now positively impacting the lives of others.
As I continue this journey, I want to keep choosing love over fear. I want to keep stepping into the unknown with courage, knowing that each risk brings the possibility for growth and transformation. It’s not always easy, but I’ve learned that the greatest rewards come when you lean into discomfort, when you embrace the challenges that shape you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.asiangirlsignite.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asiangirlsignite/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/asiangirlsignite/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehgan-yen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@asiangirlsignite
Image Credits
Summer 2025 – Richard Lo
Summer 2021 & Families Photos – Tien Nguyen
Team/Founders Photos – Jas Kitterman
