Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Events Around Albuquerque
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions generations of AAPI’s have made to American history, society and culture. The City of Albuquerque is home to many AAPI communities who will be sharing their diverse cultures throughout the month.
Chinese immigrants first arrived in New Mexico when it was part of Mexico, and continued during the U.S. Territorial Period and as workers who built the railroads in the 1880’s. Vietnamese refugees first arrived in Albuquerque in 1975, and people from other Asian and Pacific Island countries continued to make Albuquerque home in the decades since.
Today, AAPI residents are deeply ingrained into all facets of Albuquerque’s diverse civic and cultural life, from business to arts and leadership. In 2020, Mayor Tim Keller announced a historic appointment of Thanh-Lan “Lan” Sena to the City Council District 1 seat. Sena was the first woman to represent the district, and the first Asian (Vietnamese) American to sit on the City Council.
In celebration, the City and community organizations across the metro are celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in various ways. Below is a list of events we know of so far.
Implicit Bias & Creating Change Learning Lab Part I
The City of Albuquerque Office of Equity and Inclusion provided an implicit bias and creating change workshop for City employees with a focus on AAPI on Wednesday, May 4. The workshop touches on the history of migration, starting with Chinese immigrants
Book Discussion with Shinsuke Eguchi (Asians Loving Asians)
UNM’s Asian American Pacific Islander Resources Center (AAPIRC) will be hosting its first AAPI Heritage Month event. Dr. Shinsuke Eguchi's (they/them) will discuss their new book, Asians Loving Asians: Sticky Rice Homoeroticism and Queer Politics with student, Crystelle Rodis (they/she). Books will be available for purchase. Afgan tea and snacks will be provided.
- Who: UNM’s AAPIRC (Event sponsored by City’s Office of Equity & Inclusion)
- When: Friday, May 6, 2022 at 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
- Where: UNM Main Campus - Education Classroom 212
25th Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Day
This event will feature cultural performances and music, Japanese floral arrangements, Chinese art activities, and more. Celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages and unique experiences represented among ethnic groups from Asia and the Pacific. The event is included with paid Museum admission and can be purchased the day of the event at the door.
- Who: Sandia National Laboratories Asian Leadership Outreach Committee and National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
- When: Saturday, May 7, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Where: National Museum of Nuclear Science & History
Asian American Pacific Islander Graduation Ceremony
UNM’s AAPIRC will be hosting it’s first official graduation to celebrate student’s achievements.
- Who: UNM’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion & AAPIRC
- When: Wednesday, May 11, 2022 at 10:00 AM
- Where: AAPIRC at UNM
Achieving Health Equity for Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities: If not now, when?
This session will feature speaker Nadia Islam, PhD. Islam is an Associate Professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. This session’s learning objectives are the following: Understand how myths and stereotypes impact health equity in Asian American communities; characterize the socio-demographic and health profile of Asian American communities; and articulate models to advance health equity in Asian American communities/
- Who: UNM’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- When: Thursday, May 12, 2022 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Where: UNM Main Campus
Finding, Selecting, and Taking on Leadership Roles in Academic Societies or National Committees: Lessons for Asian American and Pacific Islander faculty.
This session will feature speaker Archana Chatterjee, MD, PhD. Chatterjee is the Dean of Chicago Medical School. more information, Session learning objectives are the following: Describe how to build and sustain a professional network; discuss how to select and prepare for leadership roles in academic societies and national committees; and review benefits to serving in leadership roles in academic societies and national committees.
- Who: UNM’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
When: Thursday, May 18, 2022 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - Where: UNM Main Campus
Working with Asian & Pacific Islander Communities Learning Session.
This event is open to the public. Register for the Working with Asian & Pacific Islander Communities Learning Session.
- Who: Office of Equity & Inclusion in collaboration RACED Consulting, LLC.
- When: Thursday, May 19, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Where: Virtual via Zoom
Culture Change: Anti-Racism & Social Justice Article Reading Circle (Power & Privilege)
The City of Albuquerque’s Office of Equity & Inclusion will be hosting a virtual workshop training during AAPI month. Register for the Culture Change: Anti-Racism & Social Justice Article Reading Circle(Power & Privlege).
- Who: Office of Equity & Inclusion in collaboration with RACED Consulting, LLC.
- When: Thursday, May 24, 2022 from 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
- Where: Virtual via Zoom