Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
In May, and throughout the year, we have the opportunity to celebrate and honor Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage. Below is a list of resources compiled by Christina Chan, Community Engagement Manager here at CHOOSE 180. These are just some ideas to get started, but there are a lot more you can discover on your own!
Events
Lunar New Year Celebration in Chinatown - International District April 30, 2022
The celebration will be an all day street festival with live performances under the red arch at Hing Hay Park. This will include lion dances and taiko drumming. Local artists and businesses will be participating vendors. They will be hosting this celebration along with their food walk series.
Asian Pacific Islander Celebration
Armory Food & Event Hall - Seattle Center May 1, 2022 12pm-5pm
“In 2022, Seattle Center Festal is celebrating 25 years of stories and traditions. The theme, "Where the World Gathers" links together the series of 24 free festivals presented throughout the year, each with unique cultural focus, identity, and range of engaging activities.”
“Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration marks the beginning of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) of May in the Greater Seattle area. Asian Pacific Islander celebrations began in the 1970s, when student groups and coalitions at local high school and colleges organized events to showcase the rich heritage and diversity of their communities. This annual festival showcases the cultures, traditions, and history of Asian Pacific Islanders through art, music, and dance.”
Rain or Shine Market
Chong Wa Playground - Chinatown - International District
Support 36 local AAPI makers and artists at the Rain or Shine Market, AAPI Heritage Month Edition.
Learn more about the Asian Pacific American experience through their tours and events. Some suggestions are the informational redlining heritage tours and food tours.
“We connect everyone to the dynamic history, cultures, and art of Asian Pacific Americans through vivid storytelling and inspiring experiences to advance racial and social equity.”
In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, Asia Pacific Cultural Center is hosting events throughout the month of May. Find a list of cultural events to attend here.
Advocacy
Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS) has an advocacy page, it is one way that folks can learn more about issues that AAPI communities are facing.
Nonprofit organizations
Hmong Association of Washington - HAW’s mission is to preserve and promote the culture, advocate for the Hmong people, and promote education in the community. We are also inspired to provide effective services and programs that improve the lives of our diverse Hmong community in WA.
SCIDpda - Seattle Chinese International District Preservation and Development Authority, a leading force for the economic health of Seattle’s Chinatown International District, implementing strategies that range from support for individual businesses to marketing the entire neighborhood’s lively retail and cultural environment.
Cham Refugee Community Center - a nonprofit organization to provide Islamic educational, social and culturally relevant services to Cham and other ethnic minorities in South Seattle and South King County.
Friends of Little Saigon - To preserve and enhance Little Saigon’s cultural, economic, and historic vitality.
Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington - Our mission is threefold: establish a cultural home, center community power, and further the wellness of our communities physically, culturally, socially, and spiritually. Pasifika communities of Washington are a resilient community and while it has had to endure struggles in combating systematic erasure, Pasifika people will continue to rise!
Supporting Local Businesses
Intentionalist celebrates AAPI
The site makes it really easy for folks to support AAPI-owned businesses by using the filter feature.
The directory also has a list of AAPI-owned businesses to support year-round.
If you can’t make it in person, check out the gift card marketplace.
Visit the website to learn more about where you can pick up flowers in your local area and support Hmong farmers.
Supporting Environmental Efforts
It is hosting the Peony Festival on May 7 - 8 from 10 am - 4 pm. There will be lion dance performances, arts and crafts activities, informational discussions on peonies, and a peony sale.