NextGen Empower U

The NextGen Empower U program provides a holistic, equity-centered approach to empower socioeconomically disadvantaged first- and second-generation young adults, and support their journey through higher education and career success. During the 3-month program, participants will define their own vision of success while focusing on three important areas: growth within education and careers, financial independence, and how to build strong and healthy relationships.

Key Benefits for Participants

  • Build essential soft skills through interactive workshops that strengthen communication, teamwork, leadership, and emotional intelligence while enhancing problem-solving, adaptability, and professionalism to thrive in any environment.
  • Gain future-ready digital skills and explore practical AI tools for productivity, job search, and career development while building confidence to navigate emerging technologies and career pathways in the AI era.
  • Learn to manage money wisely, save strategically, and build lasting financial habits through accessible lessons on banking, credit, and investing. This introduction into wealth building fosters goal setting, financial confidence, and long-term planning to help build personal and community prosperity.
  • Explore diverse industries and career pathways through career readiness training, gaining hands-on experience in resume building, interview preparation, and work-based learning. 
  • Receive one-on-one mentorship and coaching that encourages goal setting, career planning, and entrepreneurial thinking for future success.

NextGen Empower U

The NextGen Empower U program provides a holistic, equity-centered approach to empower socioeconomically disadvantaged first- and second-generation young adults, and support their journey through higher education and career success. During the 3-month program, participants will define their own vision of success while focusing on three important areas: growth within education and careers, financial independence, and how to build strong and healthy relationships.

Key Benefits for Participants

  • Discover your personal definition of life success through leadership development sessions that builds confidence and agency.
  • One-on-one mentorship from our Program Director, Jim Tabuchi, and networking opportunities with inclusive employers and within the cohort.
  • Gain valuable insights for your education and career, including unique opportunities in STEM.
  • Career readiness and life skills workshops, bridging gaps in college prep, resume building, interview skills, critical thinking, time management, self-advocacy, and communication.
  • Financial and digital literacy training, including banking, investing, budgeting, debt management, and retirement planning.

What's New in 2026

As the traditional degree-to-job pathway becomes less reliable, young adults face growing barriers—from limited industry connections to skill gaps and the increasing influence of AI on entry-level roles. This year, we’re excited to introduce new components to the NextGen Empower U program to respond directly to these challenges.

6 sessions held once every week for an hour. 100% virtual format.

Connect with employers across diverse industries to gain insider career advice, explore opportunities through informational interviews, and better understand what it takes to be a standout applicant.

Open to program participants and alumni, attend a 3-part series featuring specialty sessions on AI, financial literacy, résumé building, and interview techniques.

Also called “NextGen Pathways,” go behind the scenes of sectors such as healthcare, biotech, clean energy, construction, and public service, gaining firsthand exposure and exploring pathways to meaningful careers.


Be part of our
next cohort.

Applications for the 2026 Spring cohort are closed.

This program should be the bare minimum standard for career navigation infrastructure across the country because these sessions give post high school/college students the essentials to start their careers as there are many parts of the US that don't have as much infrastructure to support new workers entering the economy. The intentionality of this program is what makes the difference for students entering the workforce. We should keep building infrastructure like this so all communities have the professional support they deserve to help us adapt to changing economies while also know how to practically engage the labor market.
Participant
Class VI (2025)
Participating in the NextGen Empower U program has honestly been one of the most meaningful parts of my journey this year. As a Filipino American student navigating leadership, identity, and community work, this program gave me a space where I felt seen, supported, and challenged in the best way. I appreciated how intentional the workshops were, especially the conversations around advocacy, career development, and building confidence as young AANHPI leaders.
Participant
Class VI (2025)

Program Details

Spring Cohort

  • 2-Month Program from
    March to April 2026
  • 6 Sessions
  • Meets Every Wednesday*
  • 1 Hour Virtual Sessions from
    3:30 pm – 4:30 pm (unless otherwise noted) 
Fall Cohort
 
  • 2-Month Program from
    October to November 2026
  • 6 Sessions
  • Meets Every Wednesday*
  • 1 Hour Virtual Sessions
 
*Session dates are subject to change.

2026 Spring Session Schedule

  • March 4
  • March 11
  • March 18
  • March 25
  • April 1
  • April 8
Session dates are subject to change

Ideal Candidates

The ideal NextGen Empower U candidates are self-motivated, dedicated, and open minded to growing within their education, careers, personal lives. They understand the value of building a strong foundation for success, lifelong learning, and the strength of relationships and financial independence.

  • Young adult – enrolled in higher education or starting out in the workforce
  • Motivated to learn how to grow personally to achieve life success
  • Committed to attend and enthusiastically participate in all program sessions and activities

*We highly encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or age in our programs or activities.

Apply Now

Program Details

Please consider the following commitments before applying to participate in this program.

  • 3-Month Program from
    September to November 2024
  • 5 Sessions*
  • 1 Graduation Ceremony
  • Meets Every Other Wednesday**
  • 1.5-Hour Virtual Sessions from
    2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (unless otherwise noted)
  • Location for Graduation Ceremony: Cosumnes River College, 8401 Center Pkwy, Sacramento, CA 95823  
 
*The first session and the graduation ceremony will be held in-person. All remaining sessions will be virtual. 
 
**Session dates and locations are subject to change.

Session Schedule & Topics

This program will focus on unlocking the three keys to success including:

  • September 11 – Life Success: Creating your Vision for Success (in- person, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm) 
  • September 25 – Relationship Success: Understanding and Creating Healthy Relationships (virtual)
  • October 9 – Education Success: Creating your Personal Toolkit through Education (virtual)
  • October 23 – Career Success: Navigating Your Career Throughout Your Lifetime (virtual)
  • November 6 – Wealth Success: Generating Wealth to Create Financial Independence (virtual)
  • November 20 – Graduation: Putting It All Together (in-person, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm) 
 
Session dates and locations are subject to change.

Ideal Candidates

The ideal NextGen Empower U candidates are self motivated, dedicated and open minded to personal exploration and growth. They understand the value of building a strong foundation for success, lifelong learning, and the strength of relationships and financial independence.

  • Culturally Diverse***
  • Currently enrolled in an educational institution, training program, recent college graduate, or young adult in the workforce
  • Desire to create a personal growth plan to achieve life success
  • Committed to attend and enthusiastically participate in all program sessions and activities
 
 

***We highly encourage candidates of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent to apply, but candidates of all backgrounds are welcome as well. We do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or age in our programs or activities.

Apply Now

Meet our Program Director

Jim Tabuchi

Jim Tabuchi first started working with Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce 15 years ago as the Program Director for the Catalyst Program. For nine years he mentored and developed leaders. These Catalyst grads can be seen throughout the community, leading corporate and non-profit organizations.

Jim has an extensive background that includes high tech corporate management, non-profit leadership and program development. He is educated in electrical engineering and applied that to become a Senior Manager in Hewlett-Packard. He then applied his management experience to grow the Sacramento Mandarins to become a leading arts non-profit organization, providing music education programs for over a thousand youth every year. He provides consulting services and leadership coaching to numerous organizations. His impact can be seen in numerous industries including high tech, education, banking, utilities, health care, government and more.

As a Program Director, Jim offers insightful mentorship pulling from his vast experience in leadership and community development.

Class VI | 2025 Program Roster

View Program Alumni

Mia Aguimatang

Founder

Bridge the Gap San Diego

Balaswetha Balamurugan

Student

University of California, Merced

CJ Calica

Student

California State University, Los Angeles

Alizei De Leon

Audit Staff

Deloitte

Ryan Delgado

Financial Consultant

One Capital Solutions

Hanna Franklin

Project Coordinator

Sierra Integrated Services

Sophia Gomez

Alumni

University of California, Santa Barbara

Jesslyn Handaja

Program Coordinator

ASPIRE, Golden West College

Ko Ser Lu Htoo

President & CEO

California Karen Youth Connection

Harleen Kaur Maroak

Student

California State University, San Bernardino

Eda Odabasi

Student

Sierra College

Yukari Plagmann

Alumni

University of California, Los Angeles

Meleana Suarez

Student

San Diego State University

Joenel Lexiss Tenepere

Student

Long Beach City College

Joseph Tsuboi

Administrative Program Manager

Asian American Professional Association (AAPA)

Deep Tripurana

Data Organizer/Consultant

Asian Base Coalition

Kason Yap

Student

Cosumnes River College

Past Program Participant Takeaways

“Remember your background, culture and history and next forget your identity.” – Simurtej Singh
“Establish and nurture health relationships by embodying the values you look for in others to attract those that align with your life vision.” – Mark Anthony King II
“Education is not just schooling. Education is learning through experience, a tool, training and investment that can help you achieve your life vision.” – Dhurvisha Budhani
“Don’t second guest your worth, especially when others see it and present opportunities to you.” – Victoria Manasra
The NextGen program exceeded my expectations; through presentations from guest speakers, interacting with other youth in the community, and engaging in critical dialogue, I learned how to play an active role in my community and the world beyond it. As a result of this program, I feel better equipped to “play the game”—to better utilize my resources and grow my network. NextGen (and the team that made it happen) influenced how I view real, effective change in Sacramento by giving me tools to connect with others, to hold myself and my city accountable, and to find my voice and what is worth saying.
Alexis Dumonchelle
Evaluation and Learning Manager, Teen Success, Inc.
The NextGen program exceeded my expectations; through presentations from guest speakers, interacting with other youth in the community, and engaging in critical dialogue, I learned how to play an active role in my community and the world beyond it. As a result of this program, I feel better equipped to “play the game”—to better utilize my resources and grow my network. NextGen (and the team that made it happen) influenced how I view real, effective change in Sacramento by giving me tools to connect with others, to hold myself and my city accountable, and to find my voice and what is worth saying.
Alexis Dumonchelle
Evaluation and Learning Manager, Teen Success, Inc.

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SMUD

Los Rios Community College District

Golden 1 Credit Union

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Non-Discrimination Statement: The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Foundation affirms its commitment to equality of opportunity for all individuals. This commitment requires that no discrimination shall occur in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, age, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, genetic information, covered veteran status, or any other classification prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

© 2026 California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Foundation (CalAsian Foundation)