Canwen Xu Speaking Fee: $10,000 and Below

Canwen Xu is a Teach For America Corps Member and a passionate advocate for Asian-American representation and equity in education. Born in Nanjing, China, she moved to the United States at the age of two and grew up in predominantly white communities across North Dakota, South Dakota, and Idaho. Navigating these environments, Xu grappled with reconciling her Chinese heritage with her American upbringing, often confronting stereotypes and microaggressions that shaped her understanding of identity and belonging. Her experiences culminated in a widely viewed TEDxBoise talk titled "I Am Not Your Asian Stereotype," where she candidly discussed the challenges of growing up Asian-American in areas with little racial diversity. In the talk, Xu highlighted the internal conflicts and societal pressures she faced, offering insights into the complexities of cultural assimilation and self-acceptance. The presentation resonated with many, amassing over 3 million views and sparking conversations about race, identity, and representation. Beyond her advocacy, Xu has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to empowering others. In high school, she served as the national membership director and Idaho state director for the Young Democrats High School Caucus. Recognizing the gender gap in technology, she founded "Code For Fun," an all-girls computer science workshop, and was recognized as a National Runner-Up in the 2014 NCWIT Aspirations in Computing competition. Currently based in New York, Xu continues to engage audiences through speaking engagements that address themes of diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice. Her journey from a young girl confronting stereotypes to a vocal advocate underscores her dedication to fostering understanding and challenging societal norms.