Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Calendar of Events
"During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we honor the perseverance of those who courageously reached for their hopes and dreams in a new land, and we celebrate the important impact the AAPI community has made on our Nation's progress." — President Barack Obama.
While Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) is celebrated nationally during the month of May, CMU celebrates March 15 to April 15, during the spring semester.
Wednesday, March 15, 2023
APAHM Opening Keynote Speaker: Dr. Hajime Otani
Please join us as we kick-off our first event for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) with Dr. Hajime Otani as our keynote speaker. Dr. Otani is currently the Department Chairperson and a professor of Psychology at CMU. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and location: 5:00 p.m. | Bovee UC Auditorium, Third Floor
Hosted by: Organization of Asian Leaders (OAL)
Thursday, March 16, 2023
Henna Night
Join us to learn about the South Asian cultural significance and history of Henna. There will also be a Henna artist for attendees and Henna cones/templates for attendees to learn and practice on themselves.
Time and location: 6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | Bovee UC, Rotunda, Main Level
Hosted by: Mahum Hakim & Shreya Abraham
Sunday, March 19, 2023
Teas and Treats
Join us to learn about and appreciate the various teas and treats from different regions of Asia. This is also a great opportunity to meet people on campus and learn about their experiences.
Time and location: 1:00 p.m. | Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108, Lower Level
Hosted by: Nikolay Aleksiev
Monday, March 20, 2023
The Light Within Us
Join a panel of women who have experienced a unique set of challenges but have engaged beyond the hardships and built a community in the allure of their identities. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and location: 6:30 p.m. | Bovee UC Terrace Rooms C & D, Main Level
Hosted by: The Institute for Transformative Dialogue
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
The Vietnam War: Through the Lens of Post-War Citizens
Join us for a presentation and discussion of how the Vietnam War affected the people of Vietnam, both directly after the war and still today. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and location: 5:00 p.m. | Bovee UC Auditorium, Third Floor
Hosted by: Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Crash Course: Religion Throughout Asian History
Listen to a panel of students of Asian heritage to discuss their experiences with their religion and answer commonly asked questions. The goal is to create a comfortable environment for students to ask questions and learn about an intersection of society that is often ignored. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and location: 6:30 p.m. | Pearce Hall 127
Hosted by: Mitchell Basham
Thursday, March 23, 2023
Film & Discussion: Bollywood Movies
This is an event that would showcase the struggles of Indian immigrants and mental health issues presented in India through Bollywood movie clips and there would be a discussion ensemble afterwards.
Time and location: 6:00 pm | Bovee UC Auditorium, Third Floor
Hosted by: Chamakta Central
Friday, March 24, 2023
Cultural Crafts
This is a creative event for students to learn the history of certain art crafts from Asian regions and how to make them. This event will feature South Asian diyas, red envelopes, and paper lanterns.
Time and location: 2:00 p.m. | Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108, Lower Level
Hosted by: Mahum Hakim & Shreya Abraham
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Intercultural Unity Festival (IUF)
The purpose of the Intercultural Unity Festival is to build a community for underrepresented students on campus, increase cultural awareness for students not members of those communities, and overall to celebrate these cultural communities through their traditions. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and location: 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. | Kulhavi Events Center
Hosted by: Eduardo Dominguez & Jackie Huynh (MASS Office)
Monday, March 27, 2023
Panel Discussion: Myanmar Coup - The Spring Resistance
Learn from and listen to a panel of American-based revolutionaries speak about the importance of raising awareness and funds to fight the military coup in Myanmar.
Time and location: 6:00 p.m. | Sarah and Daniel Opperman Auditorium, Park Library
Hosted by: Organization of Asian Leaders (OAL)
Monday, March 27, 2023
Shodo Japanese Calligraphy
An introduction into the traditional art of writing Japanese Kanji. Participants will learn a traditional art using the fundamental writing system that makes up the Chinese and Japanese written language. There are two sessions for this event and RSVP is required. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and location: 2:00 p.m. | Center for Student Inclusion and Diversity, Bovee UC 108, Lower Level
Hosted by: Yuki Nakao & Ryouta Okada
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
Film & Discussion: Bad Axe
A documentary showing of the film, Bad Axe followed up with questions and an open discussion with the audience. Movie Description – An Asian American family fights to keep their family restaurant while living in rural Michigan during the Covid-19 pandemic. As political and racial tension rises, their family unites closer than ever in a divided community.
Time and Location: 5:00 p.m. | Pearce Hall 127
Hosted by: Arriana Macedo
Wednesday, March 29, 2023
Tai Chi Lessons
Join us to learn about the history, purpose and benefits of Tai Chi. Then we will learn some Tai Chi movements and techniques with James VanderMey, so dress comfortably! This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and Location: 6:00 p.m. | MAC Gym 1, Student Activity Center (SAC)
Hosted by: University Recreation
Monday, April 3, 2023
Origami: The Art of Paper Folding
Learn about some of the histories, myths, and traditions surrounding origami. We will assist students in making origami figures and send them home with a few goodies. Take-home goodies should include cup noodles, chopsticks, and an instruction sheet on how to use chopsticks. Please RSVP for this event! This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and Location: 7:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. | Kulhavi Hall 146
Hosted by: Mitz Krueger, Elizabeth Slater, & Emma Harma
Thursday, April 6, 2023
Student Panel: What it Means to be Asian in America?
Join us as a panel of Asian students determines if all Asian Americans have similar opinions and experiences on Asian stereotypes. This event will be using a similar approach from YouTube channels, “Spectrum” and “Jubilee,” to make it very engaging. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and Location: 6:00 p.m. | Pearce Hall 127
Hosted by: Jacqueline Huynh
Friday, April 7, 2023
Karaoke Night
Join us for a fun night of Karaoke and community building!
Time and Location: 6:00 p.m. | Pearce Hall 127
Hosted by: Sandra Lwin
Monday, April 10, 2023
Film & Discussion: Delano Manongs–Forgotten Heroes of the United Farm Workers
Join us for a documentary viewing of Delano Manongs and learn about the forgotten heroes of the United Farm Workers Movement and the history of solidarity between Filipino-Americans and Mexican-Americans in the fight for civil rights. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and Location: 4:00 p.m. | Bovee UC Auditorium, Third Floor
Hosted by: Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Incorporated
Friday, April 14, 2023
APAHM Closing Keynote Speaker: Senator Stephanie Chang
Join us as we close Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with encouraging words from our keynote, Senator Stephanie Chang, and foods from different regions of Asia. Senator Chang is the first Asian American woman to be elected to the Michigan State Legislature. Senator Chang cares deeply about social, racial and economic equity, as well as combatting climate change and protecting reproductive rights. This is a MAC Approved event, please make sure you have your event pass.
Time and Location: 5:00 p.m. | CMU Museum, Rowe Hall 124
Hosted by: Organization of Asian Leaders (OAL)