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We are creative and literary storytellers redefining what community development and cultural representation looks like for the Southeast Asian diaspora. 

SEAD'S THEORY OF CHANGE

SEAD is the river carrying our communities towards a new ecosystem. This is the ecosystem we're nurturing.

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Knowledge & Skills
  • Increasing education of SEA history, culture, issues
  • Equipping use of storytelling tools for change
  • Accessing community resources
Actions & Behaviors
  • Self-awareness of agency and voice for advocacy
  • Understanding and navigating systems
  • Meaningful engagement and connection to community
  • Creating and participating in emerging social ecosystems
Conditions & Impact
  • Disruption of traditional systems
  • Investment in new social ecosystems
  • Collective support in self-determination and solidarity

MISSION

The SEAD Project (Southeast Asian Diaspora) is a community organization on a mission to be an accessible creative hub that provides streamlined workshops and tools to engage and share knowledge in Khmer, Hmong, Lao and Viet diaspora communities. Through safe and welcoming spaces, we hope to grow empowerment to plant the seeds of hope and possibility, locally and globally.

VISION

We envision a growing Southeast Asian diaspora ecosystem that actively rethinks, reimagines and reshapes what’s possible in sustainable community development, with a pivoted focus on empowering Southeast Asian leaders, women and young people through art, language, and storytelling.

ORIGINS

The SEAD Project started in 2011 with the vision of a group of Southeast Asians who wanted to not only connect with their roots and heritage but to think bigger and beyond preservation. Since 2015, SEAD is a legally recognized 501c3 nonprofit organization based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

OUR STAFF

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Jessica Eckerstorfer

Co Director,

Programming & Operations

jessica@theseadproject.org

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Dexieng "Dae" Yang

Office & Project Coordinator

dexieng@theseadproject.org

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Kaysone Syonesa Schneider

Co Director,

Partnerships & Development
kaysone@theseadproject.org

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Charmaine Balisalisa

Lead Visual Designer

charmaine@theseadproject.org

OUR EXECUTIVE BOARD

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Aloun Phoulavan

Board Chair

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Maypahou Ly

Board Member

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Lynn Nguyen

Board Member

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Anita Keo

Board Member

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Jay Rattanavong

Board Member

GET INVOLVED

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

Deadline to apply is Thursday, August 15th

General Board Member

Open for 2024 General Board in Minnesota.

Volunteers

Email hi@theseadproject.org to learn about volunteering opportunities!

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