Clinton School of Public Service graduate student Jin-Ya Huang has been named a recipient of the prestigious 2026 Audrey Kaplan Inspiring Women of the Southwest Award.
Presented by the SWJC in Dallas, Texas, the award recognizes women who have made meaningful contributions to their communities through leadership, service, and impactful bridge-building.
A significant cornerstone of Huang’s community contribution is her extensive nonprofit work centered on creating connections across differences. She founded Break Bread, Break Borders (B4) in honor of her late mother, Mei-Ying Huang, an outstanding chef and community leader.
B4 operated as a social enterprise that empowered women through culinary entrepreneurship and cultural storytelling. Through shared meals, cooking classes, and community events, the organization used food as a bridge between cultures while creating economic opportunities for women from war-torn countries rebuilding their lives in the United States. Following more than a decade of community impact, B4 was acquired by a nonprofit serving families affected by domestic violence, ensuring its mission expands to help even more families.
In addition to B4, Huang founded TSP Group, an impact consulting practice that helps nonprofits, entrepreneurs, civic leaders, and mission-driven organizations strengthen their community engagement, storytelling, partnerships, and strategic initiatives.
A Journey Rooted in Community
Huang’s dedication to civic leadership is deeply shaped by her multicultural upbringing. Born in Taiwan, she immigrated to the United States as a child, growing up in Tulsa, Oklahoma, before making Dallas, Texas, her home base.
“Each of those places has shaped who I am and reinforced my belief that communities are strongest when people invest in understanding one another across differences,” she said.
Nominated for the award by her peers in the Orchid Giving Circle, Huang is also actively involved with the University of Texas at Dallas Bass School of Arts, Humanities, and Technology Advisory Board, BoardBuild, the Asian Chamber of Texas, Les Dames d’Escoffier International, Citizen University’s National Civic Collaboratory, and the Presidential Leadership Scholars program.
The Impact of Quiet Advocacy
For Huang, receiving the award is a humbling validation of grassroots efforts that often happen away from the spotlight.
“I am especially grateful because bridge-building is often quiet work,” Huang said. “It happens one conversation, one shared meal, and one relationship at a time. This award affirms the importance of that work and inspires me to continue creating safe spaces where people can connect and belong.”
While the award honors work that began before her time in Little Rock, Huang notes that her Master of Public Service coursework has further refined her approach to long-term community impact.
“The Clinton School challenges students to move beyond identifying problems and toward building practical solutions in service partnership with communities,” she said. “What I appreciate most is the school’s emphasis on listening first, building relationships, and working alongside communities rather than for them.”
Huang remains committed to the values shared by both her career and her graduate education.
“In many ways, the values recognized by this award, such as service, collaboration, and bridge-building, are the same values that are reinforced every day at the Clinton School and will continue to guide my work long after graduation,” she said.