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Ohio University's AAPI Week is a time to celebrate our community members with Asian American and Pacific Islander backgrounds. Though AAPI Heritage Month takes place nationally during the month of May, the Division of Diversity and Inclusion has partnered with the Asian American/Pacific Islander Student Union to plan a week full of events for involvement prior to the end of the semester.
This year marks the second annual week-long celebration hosted by the AAPISU at OHIO. As visibility for AAPI community members has grown, local and University organizations have worked to create spaces for those of Asian American/Pacific Islander descent.
In October 2021, the Athens Asian American Alliance (AAAA) organized the local and University AAPI communities to add AAPI presence in the Homecoming Parade for the first time
The student union was established alongside AAPI-Lead and AAAA in 2021 to round out opportunities for community members, faculty, and students to find communities where they feel seen and heard.
The AAPISU has secured Gideon General as their keynote speaker for the 2023 celebration. General is an Asian American chef out of Dayton, Ohio who grew viral for his recipes and use of Filipino culture in his dishes. He will perform a demonstration at Jeff Market Kitchen for students on Tuesday, April 18.
A full week of events planned by the AAPISU are available for OHIO community members to attend:
- Cherry Blossom Picnic Social: Join the AAPISU to take in OHIO’s beautiful cherry blossom trees. The group will convene at the Walter Fieldhouse on Sunday, April 16 at 12:00 PM.
- “ Everywhere, Everything All at Once” Screening: A screening of the Oscar-winning film will take place on Monday, April 17, 2023, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. in Tupper Hall 005.
- Cooking Demonstration with Gideon General: On Tuesday, April 18, 2023,Gideon General will demonstrate his cooking skills in the Jeff Market Kitchen. Slots from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.will be available for students to attend, and registration is required.
- Luau at the District: The AAPISU partnered with Culinary Services in hosting a Luau Night in celebration of AAPI Week on Wednesday, April 19 from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.The District at Boyd Hall, West Green will serve Pacific Islander food, along with a show including native Hawaiian dance, music and storytelling and coconut cracking.
- Volunteer Opportunity at United Campus Ministries: To close out the week, join the AAPISU in volunteering at community-based organization United Campus Ministries on Thursday, April 20 between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m.United Campus Ministries is located at 18 North College Street in Athens, Ohio.
"While AAPI Heritage Month is typically celebrated in May, we feel that it’s important to recognize AAPI culture and success while the school year is still in session,” said OHIO student and AAPISU executive board member Jhasmin Glass. “That is why holding AAPI week is so special to us. It gives AAPI-identifying students, faculty, and community members the opportunity to come together and be recognized in a celebratory way while providing events for the whole campus community to get involved and enjoy."