Celebrated nationally in May, Syracuse University hosts the annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebration in April so all on campus can join in honoring the histories, cultural diversity, identities and contributions of AAPI communities. Coordinated by the AAPI Heritage Month Planning Committee, with support from Multicultural Affairs, the Center for International Services and Student Living, this year’s calendar features a full schedule spanning speakers, exhibits, performances and student organization events. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Community Coming Together: Strength in Unity.”
“The theme’s concept represents our diverse AAPI community uniting across our differences and to show that we are a strong voice that can face our challenges together,” says Lia Jiening Fu Margolis ’23, a student in the School of Architecture and member of the planning committee. “Our goal is to bring together the community of folx within and allies to the AAPI diaspora through diverse cultural, educational and fun events.”
The celebration kickoff is scheduled for Friday, March 31, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. in the first floor atrium of Schine Student Center. The event will feature AAPI student organizations and campus departments tabling, Asian cuisine, a program about the month’s events, student performances and display of the annual Anti-Asian Hate Crime Exhibit. The month continues with Orange After Dark events, the Paving the Way Alumni Speaker Series featuring Sharon Lee ’14, G’15, a mental health awareness workshop, a ping pong tournament and much more. This year’s annual International Festival will also take place during AAPI Heritage Month on Sunday, April 2.
Hua Hsu
The committee will welcome Hua Hsu, a staff writer with The New Yorker and bestselling author, as this year’s commemorative speaker on Thursday, April 20. Hsu’s memoir, “Stay True,” touches on the immigrant experience and growing up Asian American and explores grief, pop culture, being young and how friendship helps us discover who we are. Hsu weaves his story with wider questions of diversity and culture, proving that “we aren’t alone, and we never have been.” A meet-and-greet and book signing will follow the event.
“Hua Hsu is an incredible author and his newest book ‘Stay True’ encapsulates the many interwoven and complex stories and feelings of being AAPI. The memoir references the immigrant experience while also being a coming-of-age story that explores larger questions of culture and diversity,” says Margolis. “I hope attendees are inspired by seeing a fellow AAPI figure create an inclusive space for discussion about diverse experiences and find unity within an amazing community.”
For more information and complete event details, visit the AAPI Heritage Month calendar.
