Asian American & Pasifika Heritage Month

Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated in May to commemorate the achievements and contributions of people of Asian and Pacific American descent in the United States. Following a Congressional Resolution in 1978, Asian American Heritage Week was celebrated during the first 10 days of May. This timing was chosen because two important anniversaries fall during this period: the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad by many Chinese laborers on May 10, 1869.

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush and Congress voted to expand the celebration, and since 1992, May has been designated as AAPI Heritage Month. In 2021, President Joe Biden expanded the official proclamation of the month to AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month.

At Stanford, the Asian American Activities Center (A³C), Native American Cultural Center (NACC), Asian American Studies Program, Okada House, Pacific Islander Student Union (PISA), and the Asian American Students' Association (AASA) intentionally adopt the term ‘Pasifika’ in renaming the month to "Asian American & Pasifika Heritage Month" to recognize and honor the unique histories, culture, and political movements of Indigenous Island communities that are often silenced through aggregate terms like ‘Asian American’ or ‘Asian & Pacific Islander.’ 

Each year, Asian American & Pasifika Heritage Month is celebrated with community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students. To learn more about the 2024 theme and how to submit your events, please check out the event submission page.

The 2024 Calendar of Events will be publicized on May 1, 2024. In the meantime, please check out our 2023 heritage month events below:

2023 CALENDAR

2023: In collaboration with Okada House, the Asian American Students' Association (AASA), and the Asian American Studies Program, the 2023 theme for Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month is “Reclaiming our Narratives: History, Healing, and Home.” As we reflect on the events of the past year, it becomes immediately apparent that the experiences of many Asian and Asian American communities have been pushed to the forefront of mainstream discussion. From the Harvard affirmative action case to state-sanctioned violence and protests in Iran, to the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay shootings, Asian and Asian American communities in the last year have been defined largely by stories of conflict and trauma. But what does it mean for us to reclaim these narratives of our communities? How can we reconcile these traumas and conflicts with our own personal, strength-based narratives of solidarity and communal healing? In posing these questions, we hope to not only deconstruct the struggles facing Asian Americans and Asian peoples transnationally, but recenter the narratives of resistance and love that we find in our communities every day.

Please see 2023 event information below on how to engage in and register for each event online.

Friday, April 14 - 4:00 p.m – 7:00 p.m PST at Terman Fountain. Hosted by Stanford Myanmar Student Association, Cambodian Student Association, Lao and Laotian Student Association, and Thai Student Association.

Theravada New Year's Water Festival
Join us for water festivities, food, dancing, games, music, fun, friendship, and more!

Saturday, April 15 - 12:00 p.m – 1:30 p.m. PST at the A3C Couchroom, Old Union Clubhouse, 2nd Floor. Hosted by Hmong Student Union (HSU).

A Conversation with Gia Vang
News anchor and reporter Gia Vang shares her trailblazing story.

Monday, April 17 - 3:30 p.m – 5:00 p.m. PST at Pigot Hall, Room 252. Hosted by Race and Gender in the Iberian World.

The Mission As Agent of Frontierization in the Colonial Philippines and Latin America
Guest Talk with Professor Blanco of UCSD on Filipino history and culture.

Thursday, April 20 - 4:30 p.m. PST at the A3C Couchroom. Hosted by Asian Women's Alliance (AWA) and South Asian Society (SAS).

Colorism Workshop
Discussion-based workshop on colorism with a focus on how it impacts Asian Americans.

Saturday, April 22 - 12:00 p.m. PST at White Plaza. Hosted by Korean Students Association.

Korean Cultural Performances
Enjoy traditional Korean performance with Hansamo and a celebration of Korean culture!

Saturday and Sunday, April 22 and April 23 - 10:00 a.m - 6:00 p.m. PST at Sand Hill Fields. Hosted by Asha Stanford.

Holi
A fun Indian cultural event full of colors and music!

Sunday, April 23 - 4:00 p.m. PST at Bing Concert Hall. Hosted by Stanford Live. 

Mekong: LIFE
Vân-Ánh Vanessa Võ, an award-winning performer and Emmy Award-winning composer.

Sunday, April 23 - 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. PST at the Hammarskjold Patio. Hosted by Stanford Nepali Student Association.

Nepali New Year
Come celebrate Nepali New Years with food, music, and good vibes!

Wednesday, April 26 - 12:00 p.m. PST at Bechtel International Center. Hosted by Bechtel International Center.

From Duterte to Marcos Jr. : Where are Philippine Politics and Democracy Headed?
Come hear Stanford Journalism Fellow, Pia Ranada, on Philippine politics and democracy.

Wednesday, April 26 - 6:00 p.m. PST at Okada Tea Lounge. Hosted by Stanford Queer & Asian.

Queer Ancestry Workshop
Learn about the many rich queer traditions of Asian cultures and history.

Friday, April 28 - 3:00 p.m. PST at the Humanities Center Boardroom. Hosted by Stanford Humanities Center, Stanford Arts and Feminist, Gender, and Sexuality Studies.

Queer Asian American Cinema and the Elsewhere of Utopian Sexuality
A conversation between Stanford Humanities Fellow Eve Oishi and Alexandra Juhasz.

Wednesday, May 3 - 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. PST at the A3C Couchroom. Hosted by the Asian American Activities Center (A3C). 

APA Heritage Month Kick-Off
Community reception to celebrate APA Heritage Month.

Thursday, May 4 - 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. PST at the A3C Couchroom. Hosted by Stanford Asian Pacific American Alumni Club (SAPAAC)/ Asian American Activities Center (A3C) Advisory Board/Stanford Alumni Association (SAA).

Diverse Asian American Career Paths
Asian American alumni panel on careers in nontraditional fields.

Thursday, May 4 - 5:15 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. PST in the Old Union 3rd Floor Common Room. Hosted by Stanford Muslim Student Union (MSU).

Uyghur Plight: What, Why and How We Can Help
The Uyghur people have been facing genocidal oppression for many years. Unfortunately because of censorship and disinformation campaigns, not many people are aware of what, how and why this happens. Kabir Qurban is ethnically Uyghur and has been advocating for their Human Rights since 2016. Free Uyghur Now is a student-led movement advocating for the freedom and rights of Uyghur & Turkic people in internment and forced labor camps.

Friday, May 5 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. PST at the A3C Couchroom. Hosted by Religious Studies/Asian American Studies (AAS)/ Asian American Activities Center (A3C).

Race, Religion, Asian American Studies
Book author panel on religion, race & Asian American studies

Friday, May 5 - 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. PST at Dinkelspiel Auditorium. Hosted by Stanford Chinese Music Ensemble.

Stanford Chinese Music Ensemble: Spring Recital
The Stanford Chinese Music Ensemble is a group of Stanford students from all disciplines, drawn together by their interest in Chinese music. Led by renowned gu-zheng player Hui You, the ensemble explores both traditional and contemporary pieces. See here for more info.

Saturday, May 6 - 10:00 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. PST at Bishop Auditorium and White Plaza. Hosted by Listen to the Silence.

2023 Listen to the Silence Conference: Activism
The 27th Annual Asian American Issues Conference focused on the theme of Artivism = Art + Activism!

Saturday, May 6 - 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. PST at Bing Concert Hall. Hosted by Stanford Taiko.

2023 Stanford Taiko Spring Concert: IMPULSE
We welcome you to Bing Concert Hall on Stanford University’s campus to immerse yourself in brand new pieces we have composed this year as well as other pieces we are giving new life to this year. In celebration of their 50th anniversary, we are honored to have San Jose Taiko join the stage with us as guest artists. Get tickets here!

Tuesday, May 9 - 4:30 p.m - 5:30 p.m. PST at the A3C Couchroom. Hosted by the Asian American Activities Center.

Making An Impact: Integrating Community, Social Justice, and Research
Workshop on integrating values of social good and community engagement into your career

Tuesday, May 9 - 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. PST at Dinkelspiel Auditorium. Hosted by Asian Women's Alliance.

Walks of Asia
Walks of Asia is a fashion show intended to uplift Stanford's talented Asian and Asian-American artists and creatives while engaging with the greater Stanford community to learn about our ethnic and cultural identity through fashion. 

Wednesday, May 10 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. PST at the A3C Couchroom. Hosted by the Asian American Activities Center (A3C)/ Sexual Harassment/Assault Response & Education (SHARE)/ Confidential Support Team (CST).

Sexual Violence: Community Conversation Circle
Conversation circle on sexual violence within Asian American communities.

Wednesday, May 10 - 5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. PST at Hoover Pavilion, 211 Quarry Road, Suite 201, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Hosted by Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education in partnership with Stanford Heath Library, the American Medical Women’s Association, and Asian Health Services, Laugh it Out Hub, Stanford Asian Pacific American Alumni Club, and Asian Leaders Alliance.

Hybrid Film Screening and Discussion: Engaging Asian American Youth and Their Families in Quality Mental Health Services
Join us for a Documentary Movie Screening "Try Harder" followed by a panel discussion. Register here!

Thursday, May 11 - 5:00 p.m - 6:30p.m. at the A3C Couchroom. Hosted by Asian American Studies, the Asian American Activities Center, and the Center for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity.

Koreatown, Los Angeles: Immigration, Race, and the "American Dream"
Book talk with Author and Stanford alum, Shelley Lee.

Friday, May 12 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. PST at the A3C Couchroom.  Hosted by the Asian American Activities Center.  

Lunch with the A3C Directors
Get to know the Directors of the Asian American Activities Center!

Saturday, May 13 - 5:30 p.m. PST at White Plaza.  Hosted by Taiwanese Cultural Society.  

Stanford Night Market
Night market with performances, games, and food for all!

Monday, May 15 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. PST on v. Hosted by Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education in partnership with Stanford Health Care API & Allies ERG and the Department of Medicine’s Diversity and Inclusion Council.

Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islander Populations’ Contributions to Healthcare: Learn about the Career Journey of Stanford Medicine AANHPI Leaders
Come hear Asian Leaders share their career journey navigating racial and gender bias and stereotyping. Join here!

Tuesday, May 16 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. PST on Zoom. Hosted by Stanford Center for Asian Health Research and Education, Stanford Asian Staff Forum, and Asian American Journalist Association, San Francisco.

What Does It Mean to Be Asian in America? From Missing Data to Misrepresentation
Join our panel of experts to learn about the challenges of being Asian in America. Join Here!

Wednesday, May 17 - 12:00 p.m. PST at Terrace Room, Margaret Jacks Hall (Bldg 460). Hosted by American Studies Program.

Allure of Empire: American Encounters w/Asians in the Age of Transpacific Expansion & Exclusion
Book talk with author and Stanford alum Chris Suh PhD ‘19  

Thursday, May 18 - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. PST at Paul Brest Hall. Hosted by the Asian American Activities Center.

24th Annual Stanford Asian American Awards
Community celebration to recognize the contributions of students, faculty, alumni, and staff.

Saturday, May 20 - 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. PST at Toyon Hall. Hosted by O-Tone.

emO-Tone
East Asian A Cappella Concert by Stanford O-Tone

Saturday, May 27 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. PST at the A3C Ballroom. Hosted by Noopur.

Noopur Spring Show: Vasanta
Join us for an evening of Indian classical dance, featuring vibrant performances of different classical styles by dancers across campus. Samosas & mango lassi will be served, and admission is free! Get tickets here.

Sunday, May 28 - 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. PST at Hillel (Ziff Center). Hosted by Tibetan Student Union.

Personalized Self-Care Seminar
Tibetan Student Union presents Personalized Self-Care Seminar about self-discovery and social entrepreneurship. A former monk turned entrepreneur will teach about Tibetan Buddhism and meditation. A Holistic Medicine doctor and acupuncturist will give tips about self-care and self-healing. The founder and CEO of Shangrila Gyaltang Academy will talk about the role of wildflower honey in Tibet in protecting the ecosystem and economy of Himalayan regions. Everyone is welcome! Feel free to drop in!

Sunday, May 28 - 3:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. PST at Dinkelspiel Auditorium. Hosted by Kayumanggi.

Pilipinx Cultural Night: Pagdiriwang
Celebrating our Filipino and Filipino-American heritage through traditional dances, songs, and an original play!

Tuesday, May 30 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. PST at Tresidder Oak Lounge AND SRWC, Cardinal Hall, Room C105. Hosted by Asian Staff Forum.

API Staff Heritage Month Luncheon
Staff community lunch with Ranjita Chakravarty, Director, Stanford Internal Audit and Nirmala/Pati on Netflix’s “Never Have I Ever”.