NGEC Organization Fellow [MN]: Shades of Yellow

Shades of Yellow (SOY) is the first Hmong GLBT organization that supports Hmong GLBT and their families in the Twin Cities. Our mission is to provide support, education, cultural awareness, social gatherings, and advocacy to Hmong GLBT, SOY members, families, allies and the Hmong community in the Twin Cities.

The Shades of Yellow NGEC leadership team includes:

Kevin Xiong is currently the Executive Director for SOY, having served on the Executive Board as Vice President for three years. Kevin received a Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management. His previous experiences include Human Resources, recruiting, training and development, project coordination, and management. He was also the Finance Coordinator for the Pakou Hang for her City Council campaign. He currently sits on the board of Hmong American Partnership where he also serves on the Scholarship and Planning Ad Hoc Committees and has spent numerous hours volunteering for Take Action MN, Outfront MN, and ColorCoordination.

Pheng Thao serves as the Board Vice President of SOY. He currently works as a Criminal Court Advocate/Community Prevention and Outreach Coordinator for Project P.E.A.C.E., a local domestic violence program in Northwest Hennepin County, MN. He serves on the board of a couple local nonprofits, whose missions’ are violence prevention and intervention. He attained his Masters in Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with an interest in cultural diversity. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Law Enforcement from Minnesota State University-Mankato. 

Yer Yang is a volunteer for SOY. She graduated with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Minnesota at Morris. She is currently working for Wilder Research as a Research Interviewer. She also spends time at Kinship, Inc. mentoring and teaching children and adults vital communication skills. She also worked as a Canvass Field Manager for Take Action MN where she gained experience in political and community organizing. Ms. Yang also has a passion for art, thus she spends time teaching art and “paj ntaub” at the Hmong Cultural Center.

Above: Shades Of Yellow and the Lao Assistance Center teams meet in Oakland, California, in February 2009.