Our History
The Asian Leaders Network (ALN) started as a grassroots organization in 2022 with a few Asian and Asian American leaders in the Greater Waco area and grew to a non-profit organization summer 2023.
2022
ALN developed into a grassroots organization summer 2022 in Waco, Texas through the leadership of the founding Core Team members: Jaja Chen, Devin Li, Stephanie Kunst, Stephanie Tang, Raj Solanki, Evan Iluzada, and Jazbeen Ahmad. The Core Team created the mission and vision of the Asian Leaders Network and planned and launched the first official ALN social mixer on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in downtown Waco.
2023
In spring 2023, ALN's Core Team expanded into two committees: Events Planning and Nonprofit Formations. The Events Planning Committee also assisted in organizing and volunteering for the 2023 Lunar New Year festival celebrations at East Market Grocery store.
2023
In the summer of 2023, ALN was granted 501(c)(3) non-profit status, leading to the formalization of the ALN Nonprofit Formations Committee as the first official ALN Board of Directors. Additional Board Members were appointed, and the ALN Fundraising Committee was established. The ALN Events Planning Committee continued its work in organizing mixers, workshops, and cultural events throughout 2023.
2024
Following the closure of East Market Grocery store in 2023, ALN teamed up with the Waco Downtown Farmer's Market (WDFM) to co-host the inaugural downtown Waco ALN Year of the Dragon Lunar New Year Market on February 10, 2024. Drawing around 4,000 attendees, the event featured over 20 Asian-owned small businesses, artists, and community organizations as vendors. Attendees enjoyed live performances including Lion's Dance and Fil-Am Waco cultural dances, red envelope giveaways, and a sense of communal joy in celebrating the Year of the Dragon. Fall 2024, ALN partnered, once again with the WDFM to co-host Waco’s inaugural Diwali festival at the Wednesday Night Market on Bridge Street Plaza.
With over 1,000 festival participants in attendance on November 6, 2024, ALN hosted 20+ vendors alongside regular Wednesday Night Market vendors. ALN’s performing line-up included 6 South Asian Bollywood Fusion and A Cappella Music Teams at the Bridge Street Plaza Amphitheatre for the festival.
ALN continues to host quarterly mixers, workshops, and cultural events throughout the Greater Waco area. Be on the lookout for more to come!
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