APIDA Heritage Month 2024

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. On our campus, as is the case in many places, our Asian American (AA) community uses the language of APIDA, to include Desi Americans (South Asians) in the Asian American population. This month is a time to reflect on the array of rich histories, cultures, and stories of these communities.

Amongst Indigenous Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, a number of which are still recovering from natural disasters, we have witnessed and been inspired by the resilience and cultural strength of those communities. I still recall NPR’s reporting of an elder in Lahaina, who when informed of how the fire at the museum resulted in the loss of his family’s historical artifacts, replied, “I dreamed of seeds.” His words felt like a clear message of hope for the future, even when facing the pain of the present.       

For generations, the power and knowledge in the APIDA communities have helped shape our nation and continue to guide us today. Asian American immigrants and refugees, the activist and community organizers build our path to the future, a journey marked by “tragedy and triumph, adversity, and resilience.”

I believe that spirit is at the heart of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s theme for this year’s APIDA Heritage Month: “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future.” They write, “the 2024 theme…embodies the spirit of our collective journey – one rooted in resilience and hope – and encourages us to forge intergenerational connections to honor our past and pave a durable path forward.”

Please join us in celebrating APIDA Heritage month by participating in the myriad of events that will be taking place around campus throughout the month, and explore resources like the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center’s website that contains material like, “We Are Not a Stereotype” a video on Asian Pacific American bias, and “Our Stories” a digital storytelling initiative to support the dissemination and perpetuation of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Island cultures through the media arts.

As the Whitehouse Initiative and Asian Pacific American Center said, “Knowing our histories gives us power. Throughout the month, let us embrace the interconnectedness of our stories and honor the visionaries who came before us. Let us commit to spotlighting the myriad of ways diverse AA and NHPI communities have enriched every facet of American life. And let us endeavor to build bridges across generations, experiences, and cultures to forge a future where all of us can thrive.”

Dr. Denise Isom,
Interim Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion / Chief Diversity Officer