Stories

March 1, 2025

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“Over time, I realized that speaking and understanding Chinese wasn’t just a ‘useful skill’—it is my superpower and key to belonging,” says Cheryl Mainland, Founder & CEO of Dragon Academy. Her fluency in Chinese has been a source of identity and has played a key role in her journey—from understanding her cultural heritage to excelling at Harvard in East Asia Studies and negotiating successful global business deals.

Recognizing the power of language to bridge cultures and connect with 1.3 billion native Chinese speakers, Cheryl is now committed to creating an engaging and interactive multi-media platform for children and adults worldwide to learn Chinese through Dragon Academy.

At its core, Dragon Academy is an epic tale of nine multicultural teens journeying through six mystical realms brimming with ancient legends, mythical beasts, and dragons – all united in a quest to bridge worlds. This story is told across multiple media formats and channels, including a book series, social media content, an AI animation series, and other cultural initiatives. Complementing their adventure is a highly gamified app that transforms Chinese language learning into an exciting, immersive, (and even addictive) experience.

A mother of three, serial entrepreneur, lifelong adventurer, and avid surfer, Cheryl has become an inspiration to many. She has been featured in top media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Vogue, Tatler, WWD, and numerous other prestigious publications.

Cheryl Mainland, Founder & CEO, Dragon Academy (Image Source: Samanta Katz)

The Struggle of Language and Identity

Cheryl embodies the essence of a third-culture kid. Born in Taiwan, she is half-Chinese, half-American, and raised across Asia, she navigated the complexities of identity, language, and belonging from an early age.

Cheryl with her maternal and paternal grandmothers Taipei, Taiwan, 1983 (Image Source: Cheryl Mainland)

“Like many of us, I grew up straddling two worlds. The ultimate translator of languages, cultures, generations.  I carry with me the collective memory of (boring) Saturday Chinese school, the struggle of keeping up with my Chinese lessons, and the challenge of celebrating my heritage while forging my own path,” Cheryl says. “After having kids, I witnessed their similar struggles – nothing has changed.” She recognized that the traditional methods of learning Chinese – endless hours of copying hanzi characters on square grid paper (田字格) – have experienced minimal change over the centuries, relying on rote memorization rather than engagement.

Not wanting her children to face the same language learning struggles she faced (and hundreds of thousands of other Chinese learners), Cheryl is embracing this as an opportunity to spark a cultural movement that breathes new life into the Chinese language and culture. Dragon Academy’s strategy ignites a passion for learning through an epic narrative delivered via a highly gamified app, an AI mini-series, a book series, social media content, and a future film adaptation. Each of the multimedia platform components captures the story-based enthusiasm, teaching Chinese through nine proprietary building block methods that make learning Chinese fun, engaging, and truly relevant.

Dragon Academy Universe: the foundation of a highly gamified Chinese language learning app, book series, cartoons, feature films, documentaries, merchandise, and console games. (Image Source: Cheryl Mainland)

Cheryl’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Empowering the Masses

Throughout Cheryl’s entrepreneurial ventures, a constant theme has been empowering communities by identifying unmet needs and transforming the “uncool” into “cool” through innovative solutions. From dressing corporate women in clothes that boosted their self-confidence in the boardroom (The Fold London), to inspiring tweens and teens “to wear their invisible crown” on all special occasions (PromGirl.com), to reimagining sun-protective fashion—proving that staying safe in the sun doesn’t mean sacrificing style (Mott50)—her work consistently uplifts and inspires.


Most recently, to celebrate the launch of Dragon Academy Book 1 during Lunar New Year 2025, Cheryl partnered with artist Archie Geotina to honor the 46 million-strong Chinese diaspora through Pearls, an art series. Chinese Pearls features three generations of female surfers from diverse Chinese heritage – Indonesian Chinese, Singaporean Chinese, mixed-Chinese families, adoptees, and expats – riding Bali’s iconic waves in modern QiPao, empowering the community and highlighting its resilience, heritage, and unity.

A Future for the Community

“As an Asian American entrepreneur, Asian American mom, and a lifelong advocate for bridging cultures, I resonate deeply with AHN’s mission to uplift and empower the global Asian diaspora,” Cheryl affirms.  

She draws a parallel between Dragon Academy’s goal to reignite the next generation’s connection to their heritage and AHN’s commitment to rewriting narratives and celebrating Asian excellence. When asked about her future plans, Cheryl confidently states, “We are on an ambitious mission to increase the percentage of the world that speaks Chinese by 5% over the next five years.”

An estimated 5 million people started learning Japanese because of Manga, 15 million took up Korean because of K-pop, Dragon Academy is set to start a Chinese language movement. By juxtaposing storytelling and technology, Dragon Academy is approaching Chinese language learning from an “obsess, learn, master” order. 

“Imagine a world where kids want to learn Chinese because they see it as their ultimate superpower and key to belonging. That’s the future we’re building,” exclaims Cheryl.

And the journey is just beginning. Dragon Academy Book 1 launched at the beginning of this year. The highly gamified learning app, immersive AI mini-series, and a host of exciting cultural initiatives are currently in development. The first round of external investment has commenced – seeking visionary, like-minded investors to join this transformative movement.  Dragon Academy is poised to redefine the landscape of Chinese language learning and cultural exploration.

DRAGON ACADEMY “Traditional Scene.” The OG Dragon Keepers, ancestors of the 9 multicultural teenage protagonists of the Dragon Academy Universe. (Artist: Andrew Archer)

Learn More about Dragon Academy

Website: https://dragonacademy.com/

Instagram: @dragonacademy_official

Book 1: www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM4YDLL3

Connect With Cheryl Mainland

Instagram: @cherylmainland

LinkedIn: Cheryl Mainland

Email: Cheryl@dragonacademy.com

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Stories

Dr. Tiffany Moon on Empowering Women Through LeadHer Summit

Do you ever feel like you’re juggling a hundred things at once—your career, family, personal goals—and wonder how to keep it all together?

Dr. Tiffany Moon knows exactly what that’s like. As a mother, doctor, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s empowerment, she has mastered the art of balancing multiple roles without losing sight of her passions. Not only did she figure out how to manage all these roles, but she’s also thriving in each of them.

Driven by her love for creativity and her desire to inspire others, Dr. Moon ventured into entrepreneurship, launching Aromasthesia Candles and Three Moons Wine. Most recently, she founded LeadHer Summit, a leadership conference designed to uplift and empower women from all different professional backgrounds.

Here’s how Dr. Moon is redefining success by finding joy in balancing her work, passions, and family—while staying true to her authentic self:

The Heart Behind Her Success

Dr. Tiffany Moon’s journey to success was deeply influenced by her immigrant parents, whose sacrifices fueled her ambition. Watching them work tirelessly to create a better life for their family shaped her determination to thrive—not just for herself, but for her twin daughters.

“I saw firsthand the struggles they faced, and I knew I wanted to create a better life for myself and my children,” she reflects.

Driven by this desire, Dr. Moon achieved remarkable milestones early on. By 19, she had graduated from Cornell University, and by 23, she completed medical school, quickly establishing herself as a respected anesthesiologist. However, her goals extended beyond her medical career. She also stepped into entrepreneurship to show her daughters that women can lead, build businesses, and create their own opportunities without sacrificing joy.

“I want my daughters to know that they don’t have to give up parts of themselves to fit into a box others might create for them,” Dr. Moon explains. “Being true to who they are is the most powerful way to lead and succeed.”

Navigating Challenges and Finding Her True Self

Like many of us, Dr. Moon faced pressures to meet the expectations placed on her, both by society and herself. As a first-generation Chinese American, she felt the weight of cultural norms that pushed her to be the perfect daughter, doctor, wife, and mother. This constant striving for perfection left her feeling exhausted and burnt out.

It wasn’t until she took a step back that she realized something needed to change. Through therapy, self-reflection, and surrounding herself with supportive mentors, Dr. Moon learned to let go of the need for perfection and embrace her true self. She began to prioritize her own well-being, and in doing so, she found a sense of freedom and joy that had been missing.

“It was a long process, but it’s something I now advocate for, especially with other women who feel like they have to do it all.“

In her book, Joy Prescriptions, Dr. Moon shares her journey of overcoming perfectionism and embracing vulnerability and authenticity, inspiring others to follow a similar path.

Turning Passion Into Purpose

Beyond medicine, Dr. Moon’s entrepreneurial spirit has flourished. She’s combined her love for creativity and her professional knowledge to launch two successful businesses: Aromasthesia Candles, a line of candles inspired by her medical career, and Three Moons Wine, which she started with her husband. Both ventures reflect her belief that you don’t have to limit yourself or strive for perfection—you can embrace all the different facets of who you are and explore them fully.

But perhaps her most meaningful venture is the LeadHer Summit, a leadership conference dedicated to empowering women across various industries. 

The LeadHer Summit 2024, set to take place from November 8 to 10 at the JW Marriott in Dallas, TX, is designed to inspire women to connect, grow, and take bold steps in their careers and personal lives. 

The 3-day event features keynote sessions, hands-on workshops, and panel discussions led by 25 expert speakers. Attendees will have the opportunity to build meaningful connections through networking opportunities and celebrate in style at the exclusive Glam Gala.

For more information, visit leadhersummit.com

Creating a Legacy for the Next Generation

At the heart of everything Dr. Moon does is her desire to leave a positive legacy for her twin daughters. She wants them to grow up knowing they can chase their dreams and still be true to who they are.

For Dr. Moon, success isn’t about sacrificing joy but about finding purpose in everything you do. Through her own life, she’s inspiring women everywhere to embrace authenticity and live fearlessly, showing that it’s possible to lead with both heart and ambition.

Connect with Dr. Tiffany Moon

Instagram: @leadhersummit @tiffanymoonmd
TikTok: @tiffanymoonmd
Facebook: Tiffany Moon, MD
LinkedIn: Tiffany Moon, MD, FASA

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News

FaZe Jason Sparks a NewJeans Renaissance, Surpassing 100K Twitch Subscribers

NewJeans is onto another journey of global stardom, this time, it is towards a quite interesting, new audience. Their song “ETA” has surprisingly witnessed a resurgence after 1 year of its release, which many humorously referred to as “NewJeans Renaissance.” It all happened when Vietnamese American streamer Jason “theween” Nguyen, ranked 15th globally and 10th in the U.S. on Twitch, celebrated reaching 100,000 subscribers by playing the track during his livestream, becoming the 2nd most-subscribed Twitch streamer.

The viral meme of him and his friends passionately screaming the song lyrics “What’s your ETA?” took the internet by storm. Thanks in part to Jason’s live stream and the song’s inherent quality, this track’s daily streaming exploded. From September 29 to October 2, the song reached 322,985, 424,271, 563,295, and 659,860 streams on Spotify. On October 1 and 2, “ETA” became the most streamed song by NewJeans, despite its 1-year release. 

Jason Nguyen celebrated his 100,000-subscriber milestone to “ETA” by NewJeans

However, besides the song as an upsetting observation of modern romance, Jason has challenged a stereotype long-fixated on K-pop listeners. K-pop, especially in Western countries, was a novel concept until recent years. Since the global expansion of K-pop, it has gained a significant amount of popularity. Just when it seems like the world is more open to a new musical force, stereotypes remain or even worsen. 

K-pop was usually linked to cute, dreamy imagery, which widely attracted teenage girls and was often seen as un-masculine. Many, especially men, did not have a positive outlook on the genre, believing that its image went against their ideals of masculinity and lifestyle. NewJeans’ songs, which exude youthful femininity and often above-board quirkiness, could easily fall into the ‘no’ lists of many men chasing after that idea. By publicly showing his admiration for the group, Jason Nguyen has proven that K-pop is an open space for all ages, genders, and sexual orientations. 

While singing and dancing along to the cheerleader-chanting tunes of “ETA,” Jason has created a fun and free atmosphere, creating a welcoming space for everyone, including the male-dominated gaming and streaming communities. His open appreciation for K-pop has helped introduce the genre to a broader audience, particularly within the streaming and gaming communities, encouraging more people to embrace the music free from societal labels.

Jason Nguyen, better known as JasonTheWeen, is a Vietnamese American YouTuber and Twitch streamer. He is known for his in-real-life streams and gaming content. Jason officially joined FaZe Clan in April 2024 as part of their reboot. 

NewJeans has never really left the K-pop scene, even though it’s been almost five months since their last single album, “How Sweet.” Since they first caught the world’s attention with hit after hit, their coming-of-age, iridescent music has shaped a distinctive persona in the industry. NewJeans arrived on the K-pop scene as a group of teenage girls next door navigating young love and friendships, while a transcendental ambiance hovers around them, instilling a touch of nostalgia yet mystique. This unexpected renaissance is just one more proof that NewJeans is here to stay.

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Stories

Empowering Entrepreneurs with Eric Le Tai’s Digital Design Solutions

Eric Le Tai is not your typical product designer.

As the Founder of Collective Engram, an online design studio based in Nevada, Eric has carved out a niche for himself by blending creativity with purpose. With a background in art direction and a keen focus on user experience (UX) research, he is driven by research-based design that impacts the community and connects business brands with their customers.

But how did Eric get here?

Eric’s journey began in 2019 when he took a pivotal step by studying social impact in New York. There, he discovered how to craft digital solutions that address economic challenges. This ultimately inspired him to pursue entrepreneurship seriously. “My passion for entrepreneurship has always driven me, but transitioning from a traditional 9-5 mindset has been a journey,” Eric shared with AHN.

Despite all the hurdles that he’s encountered, Eric is proud of his willingness to take risks, embrace failure, and keep moving forward.

Through Collective Engram, Eric hopes to form a collaborative community of professionals—designers, researchers, and developers—working together to deliver innovative digital services to small businesses in need.

His mission is simple but profound: to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses by offering design and research services tailored to their needs, while also creating new opportunities for collaboration within the industry.

The Services of Collective Engram

Eric offers a wide range of services that cater to businesses and entrepreneurs at different stages of their digital journeys. His primary focus is on final design deliverables for web, applications, and print. Clients can opt for additional research services, but they are not always required.

Here’s a breakdown of the services offered through Collective Engram:

User Research (optional):

  • UXR Research Report
  • Competitive Analysis
  • Personas

Final Designs (Figma, Photoshop, etc.):

  • Visual Design Final
  • Wireframe
  • Interactive Prototype

Design Support:

  • Design System/Components
  • User Journey Flow/Site Map
  • Product Strategy Workshopping
  • Presentation Support
  • Development Support (Hand-Off)

Any new business can benefit from creating an online website or blog for their product, but Collective Engram is especially beneficial for small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups that need a professional and cohesive online presence.

For larger projects, such as application development or e-commerce platforms, Eric’s product design and research services become particularly valuable. He tailors his approach based on the client’s needs and the goals they wish to achieve with their product.

The Future of Collective Engram

Looking ahead, Eric sees exciting opportunities for Collective Engram. “My main focus is bringing in new clientele and optimizing the workflow process for different client needs,” Eric says. Currently, his primary focus is web design, but he plans to expand into larger-scale projects such as application and product design and large e-commerce platforms.

Eric is also exploring opportunities in industries like healthcare and education, where large-scale data analytics play a crucial role. In addition, he is learning the basics of front-end development to work more seamlessly with developers on future projects.

Connect with Eric

In his efforts to better understand potential clients and their needs, Eric offers free consultations for businesses interested in working with him. You may reach him at: collectiveengram.com

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Stories

In Luffy Huang’s Vision for Pulse Events, Cultures Align Through EDM Music

CEO of Pulse Events Luffy Huang made waves across New York City this past Labor Day weekend. Known as “the world’s wettest party,” the S2O event made a splash in the Brooklyn neighborhood, delivering euphoric EDM melodies with Thai-inspired traditions that stretch across borders to America. 

But as the CEO of Pulse Events, his vision yearns for unity and togetherness through the power of music. Throughout the years, Luffy has been a driving force behind the diversification of the EDM festival scene, condensing the beats into a spectacular celebration of culture and community. 

The Sounds of Luffy Huang’s Chinese Upbringing and American Dream 

Growing up in China, his early passion for music led him to a career as a singer and TV host between 15 to 20 years ago. Encouraged by the eclectic soundscape in the U.S., his American dream for a successful music career was granted by one of the artists he was touring along with, paving the way for his move to the States. 

“I grew up in China and following my passion for music, I became a singer and TV host 15 to 20 years ago. Since it was always my dream to break into the music industry in the U.S., I began touring with artists and finally came to America with one of them in 2020.”

When he arrived in the U.S., Luffy was bewildered yet determined. The hustle in a foreign land might have caught him off guard for a moment but it also helped him head towards a new direction. “I found the industry here to be very open-minded and felt inspired and encouraged to start my own entertainment company here,” he says. 

Luffy left China for the U.S., driven by the fast-paced music scene.

This geographic shift is a tableau of music inspirations, cultural shock and a deepening sense of identity, all of which prompted him to create Pulse Events, an event agency focused on bridging the Eastern and Western cultures through music and community. 

Cultural Harmony Through Music and Luffy Huang’s Pulse Events Journey

“What inspired me the most was seeing people of different cultures embrace shows produced in Asia and influenced by Eastern traditions,” he says. 

Such ethos were themselves echoed throughout his work, by introducing a global audience to the purpose he wanted to share more of, from highlighting notable Asian creatives and talents, to celebrating the vibrant culture of the Asian community. “I realized that this experience was missing in the U.S. and it became my mission to produce shows here that expose fans to the traditions and dance community culture in Asia,” he says. “I am proud that my shows include elements like Asian night markets, lion dances and spraying water that is the Songkran Thai New Year custom.”

One of the drawbacks of starting Pulse Events in a new country, however, is the balance and harmony among different communities, especially in the U.S. where multiculturalism has long been its celebrated trademark. Yet, despite this animated diversity, Luffy needs to traverse the tricky waters of inclusivity, representation and U.S. culture: 

“Turning my vision into a reality took a bit of time. But once we put on our first Pulse Events show, we learned from the process and got into a good rhythm where we put on multiple shows annually and continued to expand. One of the challenges I face on a daily basis is figuring out how to represent Asian culture in the most authentic way possible, while having our shows appeal to a diverse audience. Striking that balance takes a lot of thought and hard work, finding the right partners to bring that to life. Another challenge I face is that English is my second language, so I sometimes have to take the extra step of using translation tools or making a greater effort to make sure my ideas are communicated correctly.”

Luffy Huang leads Pulse Events with determination, expanding the reach of Asian culture through unforgettable shows

While those challenges might have vexed him in the beginning, every show, event and festival was an emblem of the connectivity that he always has in mind for Pulse Events. The 2023 Spring Festival that Pulse Events had orchestrated last year was an EDM-heavy event to honor Lunar New Year and pull together traditional elements, joyful moments and different communities. It was the first event to infuse electronic music and Asian culture that introduced the beauty of this cultural festival to more American youths:

“I am proud of every show Pulse Events has put on and the legacy we are slowly building by making them annual. We are gearing up for our second Winter Festival in November and our third Spring Festival next year, and planning to bring back S2O after debuting it to the U.S. this past Labor Day weekend. I feel fortunate that we have established a good working relationship with one of the most famous venues in New York City and the world, The Brooklyn Mirage. I am also proud to be the founder of the Krazy Super Concert elevating K-pop in America.”

When East Meets West in Luffy Huang’s Vision for Pulse Events 

As an organization that holds the same values as AHN to uplift and highlight the Asian community, AHN takes this interview as a special opportunity to explore how Asian talents are being showcased and represented in the industry. Luffy’s vision remains unchanged: 

“The mission and vision of Pulse Events is to bridge the East and the West through music events that unite people of all backgrounds and educate them. Through bringing fans of all kinds together through the common love of music, we are able to open their minds and hearts to understanding Asian culture and embracing the immense talent within our community, from music producers and DJs to entrepreneurs like myself and my colleagues.”

This determination and commitment has led Luffy on a road of success, producing annual mega shows like the Lunar New Year Spring Festival, the Winter Festival and most recently S2O New York, all to celebrate cultures and unite communities through EDM. Even just at the start, Pulse Events has landed performance deals with many prominent artists in the electronic music scene, from the enigmatic Marshmello to platinum record-selling DJ Afrojack. 

Luffy’s goal is clear: bridge the East and West through music, uniting fans from all backgrounds while showcasing Asian talents.

Connect With Luffy Huang

Much of Luffy’s current success comes less from pure luck and more from a consistent performance of hard work and innovation. Whether it be electric live festivals, or getting deep down into his heritage, Luffy knows better than ever that Pulse Events was a child of hustle and resilience, no matter where you came from and who you are:

“From my own journey, I believe that if you hustle hard enough and never give up on your dreams, you will succeed, even in a foreign country or place outside of your comfort zone.” 

Facebook: One Pulse Events 

Instagram: @1pulseevents

X: @onepulseevents

TikTok: @1pulseevents