Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month highlights traditions
Long Beach State’s celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month will be a display of vibrant cultures -- as manifested in such forms as cuisine, the performing arts and activism -- during a series of events taking place in April.
The idea of a month-long celebration was the brainchild of Jeanie Jew, then president of the Organization of Chinese American Women, who in 1976 contacted government officials in response to the lack of representation of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during United States bicentennial events commemorated that year.
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was established three years later by Congress and President Jimmy Carter, and the celebration was first expanded into a month-long event in 1990. In 1992, President George H.W. Bush signed legislation calling for celebrations of Asian American and Pacific Islander culture to take place in May of every year.
At Long Beach State, the celebration was moved to April this year to include the Pacific Islander Luau and Graduation on April 27.
A Conversation with Chef Diep Tran
Chef and recent owner of Good Girl Dinette
Wednesday, April 17 * 12 pm
Location: LA1-204
Pacific Islander Presence
Wednesday, April 17 * 5 p.m.
USU Room 205
Presented by Pacific Islanders’ Association
Eric Wat Lecture
Author of “The Making of a Gay Asian Community: An Oral History of Pre-AIDS Los Angeles”
Thursday, April 18 * 5 p.m.
Location: LA1-308
35th annual Cambodian Cultural Show
Love in the Crab Farm
Friday, April 19 * 7 p.m.
CSULB Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Cost $10 * Tickets available here
Presented by Cambodian Student Society
33rd Pilipino Cultural Night
Ang Aming Panahon
Saturday, April 20 * 6 p.m.
Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Cost is $15 * Tickets available here
Presented by Pilipino American Coalition
Francis Cullado Talk
Executive Director, Visual Communications
Tuesday, April 23 * 2 p.m.
LH-150
2nd annual Princess Ka’uilai Day of Service
Friday, April 26 * 8:30 a.m.
Faculty Office 3, Multicultural Center
Register here
Presented by Office of Multicultural Affairs
28th annual Pacific Islander Luau and Graduation Ceremony
Saturday, April 27 * 6:15 p.m.
USU Ballrooms
Cost $10 at the door
Presented by ASI Beach Pride Events
Lian Cheun Lecture
Executive Director, Khmer Girls in Action.
Tuesday, April 30, 2 p.m.
LH-150
An Evening with Ken Jeong
Tuesday, April 30 * 6 p.m.
Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Free for CSULB students; Tickets available at USU Info and Ticket Center
Presented by ASI Beach Pride Events
An Address by Dr. Karen Umemoto
Mountain Movers: Student Activism and the Legacy of Asian American Studies
Wednesday, May 1 * 6 p.m.
USU Ballrooms
Presented by Asian American and Asian Studies & Division of Student Affairs
