During the Summer of 2022, Raymond Vo joined our Social Change Internship (SCI) through the Pro X program. Raymond was passionate about activism, so––through a client-connected project with Students of Change––he and two others decided to solve the housing crisis in the KC Metro. (You can read more about this project on our blog.)

Now, as a student at Blue Springs High School, Raymond is determined to continue using the human-centered design process to aid his community. After a racist incident that happened to him at his school, Raymond conducted empathy work amongst his friends to determine how to address this issue.

Founding his school’s first-ever Asian Culture Exploration (ACE) club, Raymond graciously decided to interview with Startland Education to share his experience.

Social Change Interns Arshiya, Neer, & Raymond present their final pitch for Pro X.

How did you find out about SCI? What made you apply?

Raymond: I found SCI through a KC STEM Alliance information table during a Robotics Competition; they told me about Pro X and then I went to a hiring fair where I met Veronica and got an offer!

How did you develop your final solution for Students of Change?

Raymond: The problem we researched was homelessness in Kansas City and the housing crisis. We looked into housing options, and stumbled upon something in California called an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU): a particular type of housing allowing homeowners to build or modify housing for others to purchase.

We thought it was a great way to bring affordable housing to Kansas City! When we found out that it was not legal in Kansas City, we knew our solution would first help legalize them!

**Did you know?** Startland Education has a digital Student Hub youth can take advantage to kickstart their own problem solving. Check it out here!

Can you tell us about your recent endeavors at your school to start an Asian Culture exploration club?

Raymond: After completing SCI in the summer, a random student made racist comments to me in the bathroom in the first few weeks of school. I found that many of my Asian friends had experienced racism at the school as well.

This uptick in Asian attacks could be linked to the racially motivated comments that politicians have made regarding the Covid-19 pandemic. At school, I also realized that Asian culture was never celebrated as much compared to other cultures. There were Hispanic heritage bake sales, Black History Month assemblies, and murals…but from what I heard from my upperclassmen friends, there never was anything for the Lunar New Year or AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) month. So, I created an Asian culture club called ACE (Asian Culture Exportaion).

We host monthly meetings at school during our free period for students of all walks of life to show up and experience Asian culture through food, trivia, and presentation. We also sell Asian foods and drinks at school to fundraise, as well as to allow people to try foods from Asia! But the best part of all is how we have created this community and safe space––where people are free to express their love and experience for Asian culture and gain meaningful connections. That is why we have recently introduced outside-of-school meetings where we all meet up once a month for a potluck, restaurant outing, or festival to experience things firsthand while creating long-lasting memories.

We are currently working on an AAPI month video for our school to educate people on our culture, and an Asian Exhibit for an elementary school's culture night.

Have you used the learnings from SCI and design thinking in this endeavor? If so, how?

Raymond: Absolutely! When first starting ACE club, one of the things I frequently asked my friends was "What is the problem we are solving?".

I gained courage from SCI. I learned that you have to be the change you see in the world, and that you can't wait for someone else to solve your problems. Also from SCI and Students of Change, I learned how to identify and solve problems. The Social Change Internship gave me the toolkit to create the change I wanted in my community.

**Check out** a short video recap of our Social Change Internship (Pro X Edition) over on our Instagram!

What would you say to anyone looking to apply to SCI?

Raymond: Are you sick and tired of looking at all the world's problems on social media?

Well, here is your chance delivered on a silver platter to do something big or to contribute to your community!

Did SCI Impact what career you want in the future?

Raymond: After all the problem-solving and fundraising––and getting to see so many entrepreneurs in SCI––I realized you don't have to be a genius like Elon Musk to solve problems in the world, and that it's quite fun!

I originally wanted to be a software engineer, but now I want to possibly start my own company that helps people through technology! I realized this halfway through the year, and I dropped one of my engineering classes for a marketing class and entrepreneurship next year.