Angel Li: blazing a trail for a creative, multicultural society
For education innovator and WPO member Angel Li, being honored with a 2024 Entrepreneurial Women of Impact Award is an opportunity to take a step back to reflect on how her business has transformed the lives of thousands of students over the past 17 years.
Her journey has not always been easy – but she takes heart from knowing her team of committed educators is making a tangible impact on young people’s lives, enriching them with a multicultural worldview through real-world, hands-on creative tuition.
“The students have been the driving force for me to continue with my passion for education, and that’s what has kept me going – seeing them thrive and develop a love of learning,” says Angel, the founder and CEO of RISE Education.
Showing the youth that diversity adds richness
Not one to seek plaudits for doing something she loves, Angel is nevertheless delighted to have been named an Entrepreneurial Woman of Impact. The annual awards, a collaboration between the WPO and Women Elevating Women and sponsored by JPMorgan Chase Commercial Banking, recognize the outstanding achievements of women of color based in North America.
“I think that these awards are very important so that the world, and society, can see that women of color are doing impactful things,” Angel reflects. “It’s also vital for the younger generations to see people like us becoming entrepreneurs and thinking, ‘I can do that, too.’”
As a Taiwanese American, Angel has seen first-hand how immigrants face stumbling blocks in a society that does not always value the richness that diversity can bring to the table. But she was firm in her belief that multilingualism is important to her family – and was surprised to find that many other parents share this sentiment.
Having settled in Chicago, Angel wanted her daughter to have a connection with the Chinese language and culture. And although they spoke Mandarin at home, Angel yearned for a more formal, structured learning environment.
“I just couldn’t find anything suitable. In traditional Chinese lessons, the kids have to sit really still and be very serious. But even though my daughter is smart and loves to learn, she is not good with just sitting still and copying Chinese characters.”
So, Angel researched and devised her own curriculum to teach her daughter herself. It never crossed her mind to turn this labor of love into a business until a fellow mom suggested it.
Angel sent out fliers, tested the waters and was soon running several classes – which the kids loved because they were fun, engaging, interactive and hands-on. Parents were amazed when, having dropped off their children for summer camp at Angel’s house, they would be treated to a mini-performance in Mandarin after just a week of their kids being immersed in the language!
Teaching the ‘whole child’ in a fun learning environment
“I recently reconnected with a 21-year-old student I taught when she was five, and she still has the Chinese calligraphy she did at our summer camp hanging in her house,” she recalls.
This small home-based business mushroomed, and it wasn’t long before she expanded her educational offering, rooted in the “whole child” philosophy, to encompass music, world languages (including Italian, French, German, Hindi, and Spanish), technology, physical education, and art. Today, RISE Education offers individual and group tuition and works with more than 80 schools nationwide.
“These ‘special’ [creative] programs are often the ones whose budgets get cut, but I think they’re even more important than the core curriculum,” says Angel, pointing to research that shows the cognitive benefits of multilingualism and learning music, for example.
Angel is proud to work with educators from diverse backgrounds. Many of them are pleasantly surprised that their unique cultural attributes – such as their “non-native” accents – are now regarded as a professional credential, instead of an obstacle. Today, schools routinely approach RISE Education looking for teachers specializing in world languages and the creative arts.
“You are not just teaching a language; you are teaching children about tolerance and mental well-being,” explains Angel. “People from other cultures have something valuable to teach us. I think if all kids learn to respect that at a young age, instead of making fun of others who don’t sound like you, the world will be a much better place.”
A safe space to be vulnerable – and learn from your peers
Angel has been a WPO member for more than three years and says when she joined the Chicago I Chapter, she was initially “a little nervous and intimidated” being in the same room with such successful fellow businesswomen.
“But I was encouraged to give my input and soon realized how amazing it was to connect with people with the same mindset. Being an entrepreneur and the owner of a company is kind of lonely. Yes, you work with your team but they sometimes still see you as the boss. So, having a safe environment where you can communicate, share your struggles and ask for people’s input is so valuable to me. I can share any issues I have, both professionally and personally.
“At the end of the day, CEOs are still human beings. We have families; we have spouses; we have childcare and senior care to worry about. But if someone else within your circle shares their experiences and their wisdom on those issues, it can be so helpful. And our WPO chapter members really, really care for each other.”
It’s not surprising to hear that this modest education pioneer is a mindful person who meditates twice daily: “Every day I wake up and just think, ‘Let’s be kind – to each other and to ourselves.’ That’s what guides me personally and professionally, and it makes me happy, too.”