Multiple events celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month are scheduled at the UO this month, including the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Awards Night, Pilipino Culture Night, annual Mother’s Day Pow Wow, Wushu workshop, annual lu’au and more.

The May lineup will culminate in the signature event, the Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month Awards Night, on May 22, 5:30-8 p.m., in the EMU Ballroom. The theme of this year’s awards event is “The Faces of Activism.”

The evening will highlight and honor work done by leaders of the UO's Asian, Desi, and Pacific Islander Strategies Interest Group throughout campus and in the community. "Desi" refers to the people and culture of the Indian subcontinent and South Asia, including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.

Fifteen people will receive awards at the May 22 gathering. The event includes dinner, entertainers and more. RSVP recommended.

The UO Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month Awards Night began in 2015. David To, former academic advisor and Asian and Pacific Islander student retention specialist for the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence, introduced the awards night to create a specific signature event celebrating the achievements of the diverse Asian, Desi and Pacific Island communities.

In addition to creating a successful annual happening, the event also helped to initiate the development of the Asian Pacific Islander Strategic Initiatives Group. The group provides a forum for faculty, students, staff, administrators and community members to present, discuss and act on issues related to the diaspora of the Asian, Desi and Pacific Islander communities on campus.

Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage Month originated in 1978 with a congressional bill to proclaim Asian and Pacific Islander American Week in May; in 1990, Congress expanded it to be the entire month of May. They selected May to honor the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States in 1843 and commemorate the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869; the majority of workers who laid tracks were Chinese immigrants.

The Asian Pacific Islander Strategic Initiatives Group and the Division of Equity and Inclusion are helping to sponsor the awards night. Yvette Alex-Assensoh, vice president for the Division of Equity and Inclusion, said she is thankful for the many people and groups on campus who are coming together to support and participate in the celebration.

“Asian Pacific Heritage Month is a wonderful opportunity for us to honor, applaud and educate about the diverse heritages and individuals that make up the Asian, Desi and Pacific Islanders at the university and beyond,” she said. “From awards night to the innumerable offerings all month long, there are so many rich opportunities for us to engage in. We are proud to be part of it.”

More information about these events and those listed below is available online.

~ tova stabin, University Communication for the Division of Equity and Inclusion