Unity in Diversity: Youth Share Stories That Inspire

Over 200 people celebrated with us at our Untold Migrant Stories: Spring 2025 Showcase at the Lux Center for the Arts. What a marvelous evening of stories, videos, and performances!

The Asian Center’s Untold Migrant Stories program empowers immigrant and refugee youth to share their stories with the community. Students grow in confidence and artistic ability as they learn how to craft their stories through digital mediums.

Masiha is a Lincoln High senior serving on the Cultural Ambassadors team. She came to the U.S. with her family 4 years ago from Afghanistan.

“I love to share about my culture and learn from others,” says Masiha. “Sometimes people assume that I don’t speak English because I dress differently, and my first language is Dari. That is frustrating, but I try to use that as a chance to share about myself and my culture.”

Mashia’s friend Orazu, a junior at Lincoln High, also loves exploring other cultures. “I really love food! I want to try every culture’s food,” says Orazi. “Many people think I am Arab, but I’m not. I’m Asian from Afghanistan, and our culture is different. It’s important to me to share about my culture.”

The middle schoolers from Goodrich Culture Club created a joint project celebrating shared values and themes across their multiple cultures. At a time when many teens are focused on differences, these young men found ways to celebrate common connections.

Cynthia is a junior at Lincoln High whose parents and older siblings immigrated from El Salvador. As a bi-cultural kid, her family’s faith is an important part of Cynthia’s life. She made a video documenting a family trip.

“I learned so much about making and editing videos through this project,” says Cynthia. “It was stressful but really good in the end! And I know this will open doors for scholarship opportunities, which is exciting.”

Lincoln High junior Aye Paw is a Karen refugee from Thailand who came with her family 14 years ago. She’s been part of Asian Center youth programs since 7th grade.

“I made a video about pho because I love to eat it, and I make it almost every day. I want to show people how to make pho at home because it’s easier than you think and cheaper than a restaurant,” says Eh Paw with a smile.

Guests enjoyed a multicultural buffet including egg rolls, falafel, and Sudanese doughnuts. Both Vietnamese and Thai dancers shared their talents with the enthusiastic crowd.

Thank you, LUX Center for the Arts, Humanities Nebraska, and Nebraska Cultural Endowment, for helping to make this event possible. Opportunities like this mean the world to our youth!