Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024

Featured Image Artist Statement:

As an artist, I draw inspiration from the infinite amount of possibilities technology provides. My work is an exploration of personal experiences which take on the form of digital media. The work presented in this calendar captures just a fraction of the many Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. I selected a few traditional design elements from a variety of AAPI communities and worked each element into each other to achieve the final product. Through this work, I desired to create a piece that incorporated as many elements as possible while not overwhelming the viewer. Although the work reflects just a fraction of the AAPI communities, as an artist, I aim to use my strengths to reach the broadest range of people possible, so they can connect to the work.

-Nicole Yang
Junior 2025

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is observed in the United States during the month of May.  In 2023, a team of UWM campus stakeholders came together to offer a calendar of programs that were associated with AAPI cultures and identities to count down to AAPI Heritage Month.  The mission of this calendar is to recognize the historical and cultural contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to celebrate the rich cultures and identities of the AAPI communities at UWM.

Thank You to Our Contributors:

  • · American Indian Student Center
  • · Anime Milwaukee
  • · Asian Faculty and Staff Association
  • · Asian Studies Certificate Program
  • · Black Student Cultural Center
  • · Campus Activities Board
  • · Center of International Education
  • · Chi Sigma Tau
  • · Cultures and Communities
  • · Department of Anthropology
  • · Department of Global Studies
  • · Hmong Diaspora Studies
  • · Honors College
  • · Inclusive Excellence Center
  • · Japan Foundation
  • · Japanese Culture Association
  • · Japanese Program
  • · LGBTQ+ Resource Center
  • · Military and Veterans Resource Center
  • · Milwaukee Japanese Association
  • · National Society of Black Engineers
  • · Northeast Asian Council of the Association for Asian Studies
  • · Sociocultural Programming
  • · Sociology Department
  • · Southeast Asian American Student Center
  • · Union Cinema
  • · WiscAMP STEM-Inspire Program
  • · Women’s and Gender Studies
  • · Women’s Resource Center

AAPI Heritage Month Events 2024:

Paj Ntaub Circle: Hmong Flower Cloth Cross-Stitching

Mondays (weekly) | Craft Workshop
10–11 a.m. | Union EG37 (Women’s Resource Center)

Paj Ntaub, which translates to “flower cloth,” is a traditional Hmong textile art. This program is a weekly series, happening every Monday. Students are welcome to come learn cross-stitching to create Hmong designs. All materials are provided, and no experience required!

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Women’s Resource Center: wmncntr@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center & Southeast Asian American Student Center

 

Asia in Conversation

Wednesday, April 3 | Discussion
3-5 p.m. | Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, American Family Dream Studio

Dr. Xin Huang, Dr. Chia Vang, Dr. Arijit Sen and Dr. Kavita Panjabi host “Asia in Conversation”.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Susan Wagner: wagners@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Women’s & Gender Studies

 

The Model Minority Myth in STEM: Empowering Asian Voices

Thursday, April 4 | Discussion
3-5 p.m. | Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, Nicholas Innovation Commons

The Model Minority Myth & STEM: Empowering Asian Voices is a program designed to empower and educate the entire campus community about issues related to Asian identity and the “model minority myth”, a destructive set of stereotypes that can affect students’ mental health and their academic performance. Attendees at this event will learn more about the myth and its origins from sociologist Dr. Esther Chan, as well as a talented panel of students and professionals in STEM fields. Advisors and support staff, faculty, and students of all identity groups are strongly encouraged to participate in this important conversation. Refreshments will be provided.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact WiscAMP STEM-Inspire Program: stem-inspire@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by WiscAMP STEM-Inspire Program, Southeast Asian American Student Center, Asian Faculty and Staff Association, & Sociology Department

 

Women’s & Gender Studies’ Vilas Trust Feminist Lecture Series Speaker

Friday, April 5 | Presentation
3–4:30 p.m. | Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, American Family Dream Studio

Dr. Kavita Panjabi of Jadavpur University presents the Women’s & Gender Studies’ Vilas Trust Speaker Presentation.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Susan Wagner: wagners@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Women’s & Gender Studies & The Vilas Trust

 

Robo-Buddhism: Kokoro, Technology, and Spirituality in Japan Today, distinguished lecture by Jennifer Robertson

Wednesday, April 10 | Lecture
4–5 p.m. | Lubar Hall, S151

Please join us for an Association for Asian Studies NEAC distinguished lecture by Professor Jennifer Robertson, professor emerita, University of Michigan.

In her lecture, Professor Jennifer Robertson will discuss how “kokoro” influences the relationship between humans and robots, particularly in the context of religious technologies. She’ll explore its incorporation into robotic design for both secular and religious purposes, offering insights into its theoretical underpinnings and real-world implications.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Aragorn Quinn at quinna@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Northeast Asia Council of the Association for Asian Studies, US Department of Education Title VI NRC Grant, Asian Studies Certificate Program, Department of Global Studies, Department of Anthropology, Japanese Program, Japanese Culture Association, & Honors College.

 

Asian Faculty Meet & Greet Series: Dr. Kyongboon Kwon

Thursday, April 11 | Dialogue
12-1 p.m. | Bolton Hall, 160 (Southeast Asian American Student Center)

Asian Faculty Meet & Greet is a monthly program series where various Asian faculty members at UWM are invited to meet and chat with UWM students. It is the perfect space and time to connect with a faculty member and learn more about each other. In April, the special guest will be Dr. Kyongboon Kwon, an associate professor in the Educational Psychology Department and program director of School Psychology.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Southeast Asian American Student Center: uwm-seaasc@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Southeast Asian American Student Center

 

Affinity Book Club

Thursday, April 11 | Discussion
3–4 p.m.| Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, Jendusa Room

Join our Affinity Book Club, a safe space for exploring diverse narratives and fostering connections. This semester we’ll read Messy Roots: A Graphic Memoir of a Wuhanese American by Laura Gao, exploring intersections of identity, culture, and social justice. Engage in enriching discussions celebrating inclusivity and understanding.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Southeast Asian American Student Center: uwm-seaasc@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by LGBTQ+ Resource Center & Southeast Asian American Student Center

 

Anime Night

Friday, April 12 | Social
3-5 p.m. | Bolton Hall, 176 (Black Student Cultural Center)

Join us for an immersive Anime Movie Night brought to you by a collaboration of multicultural centers and student organizations! Dive into the vibrant world of Japanese animation and enjoy an afternoon filled with entertainment, camaraderie, and cultural foods.

Registration required.  Register here: http://tinyurl.com/animenight2024.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Southeast Asian American Student Center: uwm-seaasc@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Black Student Cultural Center, Southeast Asian American Student Center, American Indian Student Center, Japanese Culture Association, & National Society of Black Engineers

Connecting Cultures: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage

Wednesday, April 17 | Celebration
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Union Concourse

Get ready to immerse yourself in a vibrant celebration of AAPI Heritage! Join us for music, delicious food, and an exciting cultural exploration that highlights the incredible diversity of American Pacific Islander Heritage.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Sociocultural Programming: sociocul@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming, Southeast Asian American Student Center, & Women’s Resource Center

 

Belonging: Asian American, Pacific Islanders On and Off the Battlefield

Tuesday, April 23 | Discussion
10-11:30 a.m. | Union EG39 (Inclusive Excellence Center)

Join MAVRC and the IEC for a discussion on AAPI individuals and their contributions to US military.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Military and Veterans Resource Center: mavrc@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Military and Veterans Resource Center & Inclusive Excellence Center

 

Everything Everywhere All at Once Film Screening

Wednesday, April 24 | Film Screening
6-8 p.m. | Union Cinema

Embark on a captivating journey during our AAPI Heritage Month film screening of “Everything Everywhere All At Once.” Celebrate the rich tapestry of Asian American and Pacific Islander stories as this cinematic marvel unfolds, seamlessly blending cultural nuances with mind-bending narrative twists.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Sociocultural Programming: sociocul@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming, Southeast Asian American Student Center, Chi Sigma Tau, & Union Cinema

 

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration

Wednesday, May 1 | Celebration
11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Union Ballroom East

In celebration and appreciation for AAPI Heritage Month we are bringing Milwaukee’s best AAPI foods and treats to UWM! Enjoy crafts, special performances, and vendors from Milwaukee’s AAPI community!

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Sociocultural Programming: sociocul@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Sociocultural Programming, Southeast Asian American Student Center, Inclusive Excellence Center, & Campus Activities Board

 

Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Women’s Identity Circle

Thursday, May 2 | Workshop
9:30–11 a.m. | Union Fireside Lounge

AAPI Women’s Identity Circle is a program that provides the opportunity for AAPI women-identified students to share their unique cultural experiences with other members of the community at UWM. AAPI women from the campus and community are invited to facilitate community and bonding.  The keynote speaker of this event is E Her Vang, a second-generation, Hmong American from Milwaukee who serves as the Managing Director for the City Year Network for School Improvement and Executive Director and co-founder of Our Scholarship.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Women’s Resource Center: wmncntr@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Women’s Resource Center, Southeast Asian American Student Center, & Sociocultural Programming

 

Japanese Spring Festival

Friday, May 3 | Celebration
9:30 a.m.– 3 p.m. | Curtin Hall, Room 175

Join us for a day filled with cultural exploration, entertainment, and community bonding. Whether you’re a seasoned enthusiast of Japanese culture or simply curious to learn more, our Japanese Spring Festival offers an enriching and enjoyable experience for all.

For more information or to request accommodations, contact Masako Lackey at lackey@uwm.edu.

Sponsored by Japanese Program, Japanese Culture Association, Milwaukee Japanese Association, AnimeMilwaukee, & Center of International Education