Dear Friends,

LEAP is proud to present the reissue of our newsletter, now in electronic form. The launch of our web-based newsletter is one of the exciting endeavors underway at LEAP to celebrate this milestone year. 2007 marks LEAP's 25th anniversary, and our commitment to "grow" leaders in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities remains as important and relevant as it was in 1982.

The tireless dedication of the Board and staff, combined with the support of our faculty, consultants, volunteers, friends, clients, funders and program alumni has truly enabled LEAP to mature from a local grassroots effort into an established, national nonprofit organization. Guided by the philosophy: Keep your values. Develop new skills, LEAP is highly respected for our innovative and culturally-based leadership development workshops, programs and conferences; our collaborative public policy reports with UCLA; our college internship program; and our newly created civic leadership institute that promotes greater civic engagement and political participation locally, regionally and nationally.

With the AAPI community increasing in both size and diversity, LEAP retains the expertise to equip individuals with the necessary skills to lead, understand and address the issues and concerns of this dynamic population.

We welcome your participation in our many programs throughout the year and around the country. We also invite you to join us on July 19, 2007 in Los Angeles for our 25th anniversary awards dinner, which will highlight LEAP's mission to achieve full participation and equality for AAPIs through leadership, empowerment and policy.

We are pleased and excited about our inaugural web-based newsletter. Don't miss the latest LEAP news, as well as opportunities to participate in our events and to get involved in the organization. We are deeply grateful for your continued support and look forward to another 25 years of "growing leaders"!

With warmest regards,


J.D. Hokoyama
President and CEO