Tag: apa heritage month

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First Asian Pacific American attorney in New York

First Asian Pacific American attorney in New York

We hope that you have been enjoying APA Heritage Month! This month commemorates a number of important events, one of which is May 17, the day that New York State granted admission to the bar to Hong Yen Chang – reportedly the first Asian American attorney admitted to the bar in New York. While having passed the bar examination, he was first denied admission because of his lack of U.S. citizenship due to the Chinese Exclusion Act. A special act of the New York Legislature (N.Y. L.1887 c. 249) allowed his admission despite this bar, and Chang was finally admitted in 1888. 

As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we honor the first Asian Pacific American member of the bar in New York, and reportedly anywhere in the United States. In May 2014, AABANY was also proud to grant him a posthumous membership.

Have a thoughtful rest of May, and check out our Calendar to see what upcoming events you can attend to celebrate Asian American history!

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#MyAAPIStory: Sharing the Diverse Stories of the AAPI Community

#MyAAPIStory: Sharing the Diverse Stories of the AAPI Community

Tell your story for APA Heritage Month. Thank you to Alissa Ko, Associate Director of Intergovernmental Affairs and Public Engagement, for sharing this opportunity to speak about our shared identity and diverse perspectives. 

In February, we launched a call for nominations for White House Champions of Change for AAPI Art and Storytelling. But we know that there are countless other inspiring and powerful stories within the AAPI community. That’s why we’re teaming up with StoryCorps to document and share these stories.

We encourage you to share your story and those of others within the AAPI community. Highlight issues you care about, share what your identity means to you, or interview others – friends, family members, community leaders, for instance – that are making a difference for the AAPI community.

You can share a story about any topic you wish, and the recording can be as short or as long as you’d like. Themes could include:

  • Being the first in your family to go to college
  • Your immigration story
  • Defying the model minority myth
  • Preserving culture and identity
  • Overcoming odds

Be as creative as you’d like!

You can use the StoryCorps app to record your story or interview, and then post it on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #MyAAPIStory. Select stories may be highlighted throughout the month of May in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

For more information, click on the link in the title.

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Thank you to AABANY Past President Linda Lin for sharing this information on Asian American history. Click on the link above to access PDFs for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Timeline and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Facts & Figures.

This diversity-management resource offers insight to evolving workplace diversity, featuring a detailed timeline of Asian American events and the relevant demographics you need to know.

President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution in 1978 that declared May 4–10, 1979, as the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week. This was later extended by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 to a month-long celebration. The month commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant, a fisherman named Nakanohama Manjiro, or “John Mung,” to the United States on May 7, 1843, and marks the transcontinental railroad’s completion on May 10, 1869.

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Met Museum Celebrates APA Heritage Month

The Metropolitan Museum of Art celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month this Friday, May 22 from 6:00 – 7:30 pm. Enjoy performances by Telly Leung, veteran Broadway performer and star of the upcoming production
of Allegiance; traditional ancient hula and Tahitian dances by Lei Pasifika of Lotus Music & Dance;
koto player Yumi Kurosawa; and taiko drumming by Soh Daiko.

The first act will begin promptly at 6:00 pm in the Great Hall, followed
by performances in the Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium at 6:30 pm. Doors to the Auditorium will open at 6:00 pm. This event is free with Museum admission. No RSVP required. Seating for
this event is first come, first served.

Read here for more details

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Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Asia Society!

Kick off your weekend and celebrate the start of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with a night at the museum — along with dancing, live music, street food, and more. Join us on Friday, May 1 from 6:00-9:00 pm at Asia Society headquarters on Park Avenue and 70th Street for festivities including:

For more information, click here.

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White House Summit on AAPIs

White House Summit on AAPIs

The White House Summit on AAPIs is on Tuesday, May 12, 2015, in Washington, DC. The Summit will run from 9am-6pm at the George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium and Marvin Center.

Please join us for the White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on May 12, 2015 at The George Washington University in Washington, DC! Register today!

Held during Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, this Summit will be an unprecedented and historic all-day convening of senior federal officials and leaders from across the country. The day will include conversations with federal officials and AAPI leaders, artistic presentations by distinguished AAPI artists, and interactive sessions on diverse issues including economic growth, education, healthcare, civil rights, and immigration. The Summit will celebrate President Obama’s leadership, showcase Administration policies and programs that have supported the AAPI community over the past six years, and outline efforts for the next two years and decades to come.

As a participant, you will have the opportunity to Connect, Share, and Mobilize:

  1. Connect. Interact with federal and community leaders from across the country working on diverse issues to advance the AAPI community.
  2. Share. Discuss your own experiences, stories, and priorities with leaders and other participants.
  3. Mobilize. Gain tools to mobilize your communities to expand opportunity for AAPIs everywhere.

Your participation in the Summit will be vital as we continue our work together to improve the quality of life for AAPIs.

The Summit is free of charge and open to the public.

Questions? Email [email protected]. Click here for more information on the Summit.