Ko Ser Lu Htoo is the current President & Chief Executive Officer of the California Karen Youth Connection (CKYC), where he has played a pivotal role in advancing the organization’s mission to develop and transform the Karen and non-Karen youth, and strengthen the broader community. Ko is a skilled relationship-builder and visionary. Since his appointment to the leadership role in 2021, Ko has worked tirelessly to engage Karen youth and community in advocacy, meaningful training on key issues affecting their lives at the local, state, and national levels. He has expanded CKYC’s reach by forgoing strategic partnerships with more than 30 organization partners including ECBOs, CBOs, national non-profit organizations, and city, state, and federal agencies. Ko holds a degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis, where he earned double minors in Sociology and Human Rights. Ko graduated from the Workforce Development Professional Apprenticeship Program from Sacramento State University College of Continuing Education specialized in employment, case management, strategic planning, fundraising, policy advocacy, and organization development. His academic background, combined with his passion for advocacy and community development, drives his continued efforts to uplift and amplify the voices of Karen-Americans in California and beyond.

At age four, Praise and his parents left their home in Burma and went into a refugee camp in Thailand called Mae La. He lived there for five years before immigrating to Bakersfield, California. After graduating from high school, he attended Bakersfield Community College (BC), obtained five associate degrees in science (with honors), and later transferred to the University of California-Irvine. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with honors. Throughout his academic journey, he was a part of the Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement Program (MESA) and a member of the Minority in Science Program (MSP). He participated in the Bakersfield College-California State University of Bakersfield joint summer research program and the University of California-Merced-BC joint Central Valley summer research experience. He was also an AMGEN Scholar at the University of California-San Francisco. He is now at the University of Pennsylvania, continuing his educational goals and future aspirations by working in a lab. As the College and Career Mentorship Program Manager, he wants to support young individuals of all ages in pursuing higher education and help lift their community out of turmoil. He knows firsthand the challenges and difficulties of being a first-generation student. He wants to encourage youths to strive to be more than what life has given them. He wants each youth he encounters to feel belonged, safe, and protected.  He wants to be an educator, a healer, and a scientist who others can heavily depend on in their time of need. Lastly, he wants to utilize his position to assist, guide, and give hope to troubled youths and parents in finding peace and refuge. 

Born in Burma, Naw Janny graduated high school in 2015 and joined the BARS program, now known as the Liberal Arts Program at the Yangon Myanmar Institute of Theology, for one year. She moved to the U.S. in 2018, where her high school diploma from Burma was deemed not credible. Consequently, she attended Bakersfield Adult School and earned a GED in 2019. Following this, Naw Janny enrolled at Bakersfield College and then joined Unitek College, graduating in 2022 with a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) diploma. Currently, she works as an LVN while volunteering at CKYC as the Media Relations and Communication Manager, where her goal is to promote and advocate for youth and give back to the community. In her free time, she enjoys watching movies, particularly fantasy and adventure films, and engaging in walking exercises.

Paw K’Lu Taw was born in Day Law, a Karen village, and later moved to Nu Poe refugee camp. She lived in the camp for four years, and in 2008, she immigrated to Oakland, California, with her family. She attended California State University of East Bay (CSUEB) and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Physiology. She is currently pursuing Nursing at San Francisco State University (SFSU). Throughout her college years, she participated in student-led health science research conducted by the CSU-East Bay Center for Student Research. She’s also currently a member of the SFSU Nursing Student Association (NSA). Paw K’Lu Taw is passionate about preserving her Karen culture and passing on the knowledge of the Karen language, dances, arts, history, and ancestral wisdom. She believes in empowerment through being grounded in knowing one’s history and knowing one’s self. Thus, she is committed to achieving these as the Arts and Culture Program Manager.

Naybluet Htoo was born in Umpiem Mai Refugee Camp in Thailand. She is from a family of refugees who escaped the conflicts in Burma. She later immigrated to Bakersfield, California, in 2008 with her family. During high school, she was a part of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) because of her love for the outdoors and animals. The program helped her develop her public speaking skills, communicate effectively and professionally, and be a leader among her peers. She received recognition for her outstanding work and earned her FFA State Degree from the California FFA Association. She was also awarded the “Outstanding Leadership Senior Award” during her senior year at Bakersfield High School. Her successes are a result of her services to FFA as a reporter for one year and as secretary for another year. She competed in FFA Impromptu competitions, which developed her ability to think on her feet and appreciate other competitors for their spirit and abilities. Her credentials include two Associate degrees of Art from Bakersfield College in Business and Liberal Studies. She is continuing her studies and completing her prerequisites to apply for a local nursing program in Bakersfield. While continuing to complete these requirements, she is also training to become an electrocardiogram technician to gain experience in a healthcare environment and work experience. As one of the Arts and Culture Program coordinators, she wants to help correct the misconception that learning comes from tedious lectures and boring memorization of information on printed materials. She wants them to learn more about their history through fun and engaging activities to show them that their cultural heritage is fun and exciting. 

Yvonne and her family emigrated to Bakersfield, CA, in 2007 at the age of one. During her high school career, she served as Senior Class Vice President, Junior class treasurer, and Secretary for her school’s Rotary Interact Club. She was also the recipient of the “We the People” Civic Engagement Award and Shaw Service Award. In 2024, she graduated from high school with honors and began her undergraduate studies at UC Davis, where she studied environmental engineering. Her goal as the College and Career Mentorship Program Coordinator is to help connect with students and participants in pursuit of their future careers and goals. She hopes to be a resource and aid participants through challenging or unfamiliar processes related to college and career development.

Zarblue Paw is the Civic Engagement Program Coordinator for the northern California region. In this role, Zarblue works to promote Karen youth and community members involvement in political participation such as register to vote, hosting voter education, and organizing initiatives that empower local residents to engage with civic processes. With a strong commitment to fostering positive social change, Zarblue collaborates with various organizations, leaders, and stakeholders to create inclusive opportunities for all members of the Karen community to have a voice.