That climb was exhausting, but it pales in comparison to the metaphorical mountain Asian Americans have been forced to scale for centuries. Our history in this country has been one long, steep ascent against a landscape of exclusion.

On February 18th, a group of high school students from the Boston area visited one of Harvard University's research labs in Cambridge. Organized by BranchOut! Boston, this visit offered the students from high schools a firsthand look at the world of scientific research and innovation.

The BranchOut! LA Chapter was founded in 2025 with a simple yet impactful mission: to make science, math, and the arts accessible and engaging for young students. The chapter aims to promote curiosity, build confidence, and prepare students for a future in STEAM. At the same time, the team works to promote cross-cultural understanding from an early age. At the center of the LA Chapter's work are interactive STEAM activities designed to make learning fun and meaningful. Rathe

This New Year’s Day was freezing cold. Newton City Hall, though, buzzed with life as my BranchOut group and I made our way upstairs through the crowds. The inauguration of Marc Laredo as the 32nd Mayor of Newton, Massachusetts, was about to begin. The audience in the City Council Chamber included people from all walks of life. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey was there, as was Chief Justice Kimberly Budd of the Supreme Judicial Court, both to the side of the podium. Sever

BranchOut! Boston (Newton, Lexington, and Cambridge Chapters) had the honor of attending the inauguration of the new mayor at Newton City Hall on January 1st, 2026.