Events celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander heritage

The Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration on campus will include speakers, an Asian New Year festival, and performances.

All events are free and open to the public, and many are approved for LIB 100 and 201. Highlights are below. For more information, visit www.gvsu.edu/oma. 

• Thursday, January 28, 4-6 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center. Fred T. Korematsu Recognition: speakers will honor Korematsu, who defied an order to report to a World War II Japanese assembly center. Speakers are Karen Korematsu, executive director of the Korematsu Institute; Ron Aramaki and Roland Hwang, University of Michigan Department of American Culture; Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, NBC News contributor; and Mary Kamidoi, former camp internee.

• February 1, 6-8:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center. American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs: screening of a film to celebrate the Chinese American philosopher, writer and activist who lived in Detroit. An interactive conversation will follow, and refreshments will be served. 

• February 4, 4-6 p.m., Kirkhof Center. Storytelling: historians will record oral histories and take photos of participants for an Asian American archive. Participants will receive digital copies of photos and oral histories.

• February 4, 6-9 p.m., Kirkhof Center. Asian New Year Festival: the festival will celebrate the rich culture of Asia with traditional cuisine and performances.

• February 17, 6-8 p.m., Cook-DeWitt Center. Chinese Cultural Performance: musical, dance and martial arts performances from the West Michigan Chinese American community are scheduled.

• March 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., DeVos Center. R.I.C.E. Conference: registration is required for this event, contact Andy Phan at [email protected] or Austin Ngo, at [email protected] to reserve a seat.