Future Builders Gathering

Choose a topic you care about—or explore something you may not usually experience. Come with curiosity, meet people in different fields, exchange perspectives, and discover new possibilities.

Different backgrounds, professions, and generations can empower one another, create breakthroughs, strengthen belonging, and build better communities together.

Breakout Sessions 1 & 2

Building Yourself to Build Your Community

Sat, Sept. 5 | 1:00PM – 4:00PM

Breakout Sessions 3 & 4

From Knowledge to Lasting Impact

Sat, Sept. 5 | 4:30PM – 7:30PM

Breakout Sessions 5 & 6

Building Tomorrow, Together

Sun, Sept. 6 | 1:30PM – 4:30PM

Sessions & Special Rate Lodging at Hotel Sonesta Philadelphia Rittenhouse Square, 1800 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103

*Program and mentors subject to change.

Building Yourself to Build Your Community

Saturday, Sept. 5 | 1:00–4:00 PM

1A | LEGAL, JUSTICE & COMMUNITY IMPACT

Know Your Rights. Understand the System. Strengthen Your Community

Explore law, justice, civic responsibility, and how individuals can better understand and participate in the systems that shape their lives.

Mentors: Qiang Bjornbak, Mingli Chen, George Wang

1B | TECH, INNOVATION & FINANCE

Ideas, Opportunity & What’s Next

Explore technology, entrepreneurship, innovation, finance, and how changing industries are creating new possibilities.

Mentors: Matt Zhang, Parth Savla

1C | HEALTH, WELL-BEING & HUMAN POTENTIAL

Build a Healthier Life—and a Stronger You

Explore physical and personal well-being, resilience, human potential, and different ways we can grow through life’s challenges.

Mentors: Jayme Hansen, Weihaur Lau

1D | LEADERSHIP, SERVICE & EMPOWERMENT

From Personal Strength to Community Impact

Explore leadership through service, relationships, lived experience, and the choices we make to positively influence others.

Mentors: Dr. Abdoulaye Mbengue, Tahuri Richardson

2A | Identity, Belonging & Communication

Finding Your Voice & Where You Belong

Explore identity, culture, communication, and what it means to build belonging across different communities.

Mentors: Jeannie Chong, Zhe Fan Little

2B | Future Generations & Leadership

Preparing the Next Generation to Lead

Explore how different generations can learn from one another, develop confidence, and step into leadership.

Mentors: Parth Savla, Bell Pansap

2C | Systems & Civic Participation

Understanding the Systems Around Us

Explore how communities can better understand institutions, participate civically, and move from observers to stakeholders.

Mentors: Wendy Huang, Dr. Abdoulaye Mbengue

2D | Mental Health & Holistic Health

Strengthening the Whole Person

Explore mental, emotional, and holistic well-being—and practical ways to build resilience and healthier lives.

Mentors: Weihaur Lau, Vivek Singhal

From Knowledge to Lasting Impact

Saturday, Sept. 5 | 4:30–7:30 PM

3A | Art, Media, Film, Storytelling & Entrepreneurship

Turn Stories Into Impact

Explore how creativity, media, storytelling, and entrepreneurship can give ideas a voice and connect people.

Mentors: Dr. Raymond Chong, Chenlin Chai, Jiao Wang

3B | Science, Education, History & Research

Knowledge That Shapes the Future

Explore how science, research, education, and history help us understand our world and build what comes next.

Mentors: Dr. Ji Su, Amanda Putnam

3C | Social, Government, Politics & Civic Participation

From Participation to Stakeholder

Explore how government, civic systems, and community participation work—and how individuals can have a meaningful role.

Mentors: Jack Hana, Wendy Huang

3D | Business, Nonprofit & Social Impact

Turn Purpose Into Impact

Explore how business, nonprofit leadership, and entrepreneurship can transform ideas and personal experience into stronger communities.

Mentors: Dr. Jingwu Zhang, Grace Song

3E | 法律、司法、公民参与与社区影响

了解规则 · 明确权责 · 积极参与

从日常生活出发,了解法律、司法、公民责任与社区制度如何影响个人、家庭与社会。通过真实案例与互动交流,帮助参与者认识自己的权利与责任,学习如何正确理解和遵循制度、善用社会资源,并更有信心地参与社区、解决问题、创造积极影响。

导师:Qiang Bjorbak, Mingli Chen, Dr. Suji, Matt Zhang

4A | Cross-Cultural & Belonging

Belonging Across Differences

Explore culture, identity, relationships, and how we build meaningful connections across different backgrounds.

Mentors: Jeannie Cheong, Edward Escobar, Tamuri Richardson

4B | Future Voices & Intergenerational Gap

Different Generations, Shared Future

Bring generations together to exchange perspectives, understand differences, and learn from one another.

Mentors: Daniel Shieh, Bell Pansap, Parth Savla

4C | Systems & Community

Understanding Systems. Strengthening Communities

Explore how people navigate systems, participate in community life, and turn individual involvement into collective impact.

Mentors: Jiayin Ma, Wenbin Yuan

4D | Well-being & Self-Expression

Find Your Voice. Build From Within

Explore well-being, confidence, self-expression, and how our experiences can become sources of strength and purpose.

Mentors: Carmen Wong, Mandy Chen

4E | 身份认同、身心健康与自我表达 (普通话)

认识自己 · 表达自己 · 活出自信

探索身份认同、文化背景、身心健康与自我表达如何影响我们的生活与成长。通过真实交流与互动,帮助参与者更好地认识自己、表达想法与情感,在不同文化和社会环境中建立自信、找到归属感,并以更健康、更真实的方式面对人生。

导师:Weihaur Lau, Jiao Wang

Building Tomorrow, Together

Sunday, Sept. 6 | 1:30–4:30 PM

5A | Art, Media, Music & Storytelling

Express, Create & Connect

Explore how art, music, media, and storytelling give voice to our experiences, connect cultures, and influence communities.

Mentors: Lisa Grey, Lulu Chen, Kanami Kusajima, Vince Di Mura

5B | History & Education

Know the Past. Shape the Future

Explore the stories, people, and experiences that shaped our communities—and how education keeps those stories alive for future generations.

Mentors: Dr. Raymond Chong, Dr. David Yee

5C | Government, Politics & Civic Participation

Have a Voice. Take Part

Explore public service, government, and practical ways individuals can participate and contribute to their communities.

Mentors: Lewis Liu, Rudy Recile

5D | 商业、非营利、公民参与与社会影响 (普通话)

让想法创造真正的价值

探索如何通过商业、非营利组织、科技与创业,把个人的能力、资源和创意转化为实际行动。了解不同领域如何相互连接,在发展事业的同时解决现实问题、服务社区,并创造有意义且可持续的社会影响。

导师:Jiayin Ma, Wenbin Yuan

6A | Identity & Belonging

Where Do I Belong?

Explore identity, culture, belonging, and how we find our place while connecting across different experiences.

Mentors: Ji Winkler, Jiayin Ma

6B | Future Voices & Intergenerational Gap

Listen Across Generations

Explore how generations see the world differently—and how listening, exchanging experiences, and working together can strengthen our shared future.

Mentor: Parth Salva, Wei Chen, Chenlin Chai

6C | 制度、历史与社区(普通话)

了解制度 · 参与社会 · 共建社区

从历史与现实出发,了解美国法律、公民与社区制度如何运作,以及它们与每个人生活的关系。通过交流与真实经验分享,帮助参与者更好地理解自己的权利、责任与机会,更有信心地融入社区、参与社会,成为有行动力的社区一员。

导师:Lisa Gray, Raymond Chong, Wenbin Yuan

6D | Well-being & Self-Expression

Find Your Voice. Build From Within

Explore resilience, self-expression, personal reinvention, and how understanding our experiences can help us live and contribute with greater purpose.

Mentors: George Wang, Karen Huang

Connect With DOI250AA

We’d love to hear from you—community members, sponsors, partners, cultural enthusiasts, educators, and friends. Your insight and support help us bridge cultures, generations, and regions. Use the contact form or email us at support@doi250aa.net. For mail: 5831 Forward Ave, Unit #918, Pittsburgh, PA 15217

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