Mai Chong Xiong
Ramsey County
St. Paul, MN USA
"My vision and hope is that everyone gets to reach their fullest potential. Regardless of the family they grew up in or their life circumstances, they’re afforded the opportunity and the investment."
Career Roadmap
Mai Chong's work combines: Government, Politics, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
As refugees, my parents faced struggles supporting our family. I realized that the narrative that people told about poor families just wasn't true. People think that we don't work hard enough to prosper. My family worked very hard. My dad worked hard to secure a good job. I started working very young to help support my family. We also did our best to navigate government assistance programs. Now it's my vision that everyone is given the opportunity and investment to reach their full potential.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
College of Saint Benedict
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I was born and raised in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
2.
As refugees, my parents faced struggles supporting our family, so I started working at a young age while simultaneously trying to navigate government assistance programs.
3.
I realized early on that going to college would help me better support myself and my family—so I attended the College of Saint Benedict and earned my bachelor’s degree in political science.
4.
After graduating, I joined advocacy groups like TakeAction Minnesota, where I gained experience in grassroots community organizing and found support from leaders who looked like me.
5.
I also gained experience working as a legislative aide for the Saint Paul City Council.
6.
In 2023, I was elected to the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners representing District 6—I’m the first Asian, first Hmong American, and youngest person to serve!
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Society in general:
Poor families just don't work hard enough.
How I responded:
As refugees, my parents faced struggles supporting our family. I realized that the narrative that people told about poor families just wasn't true. People think that we don't work hard enough to prosper. My family worked very hard. My dad worked hard to secure a good job. I started working very young to help support my family. We also did our best to navigate government assistance programs. Now it's my vision that everyone is given the opportunity and investment to reach their full potential.