This post is a part of a series of Community Spotlights. If your cultural organization would like to be featured, please email us at michiganincolor@umich.edu.
Asian/Pacific Islander American Heritage Month is a nationwide, month-long celebration of A/PIA culture, traditions and history. Though it is typically celebrated in the month of May, the University of Michigan celebrates it throughout March and April because our academic year ends before May. Every year, United Asian American Organizations, the umbrella organization for several A/PIA-interest organizations on campus, partners with the Office of Multi-Ethnic Students Affairs to plan this month of events.
Last year, A/PIA Heritage Month featured many large-scale events like the Generation Asian Pacific American Cultural Show (GenAPA) and the Midwest Asian American Student Union 2017 Spring Conference. Other Heritage Month events included Uncover: A/PIA and UAAO’s #SayMyName photo and video campaign, Yoni Ki Baat’s annual monologue show, a film screening of Curtis Chin’s “Tested”, That Brown Show, and Chroma — a show exhibiting artwork by people of color. Finally, every year Heritage Month is ended by a closing ceremony to recognize the achievements of A/PIA students on campus. Below are some photos from different events that happened during A/PIA Heritage Month last year.
This year, UAAO and Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs are looking for people to work on a committee in various areas to showcase A/PIA culture. There are no interviews! We just want to hear from interested folks who are able to commit their time to helping plan A/PIA Heritage Month.
Click here to apply! All applications are due by Tuesday, Feb. 6 at 11:59 p.m. Please e-mail sharonys@umich.edu, yanje@umich.edu, or uaao.board@umich.edu with any questions, comments or concerns. For more information about the celebration last year, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UMAPIA.
