Front Runner New Jersey recognizes AAPI Heritage for the month of May
BY ASHLEY WARD | AC JosepH Media
CLAYTON — Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month or AAPI Heritage Month is a month that celebrates diversity, culture and history.
AAPI Heritage Month is nationally recognized to focus on the positive contributions in making America into what it is today.
The History of AAPI Heritage Month
In 1978, Congress passed a resolution designating the first week of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. Then, in 1979, President Jimmy Carter designated the week beginning on May 4 as the official Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.
By 1990, Congress expanded the week to a month, which led to them officially designating the whole month of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in 1992.
Events to Attend to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
Throughout the month of May, many local events will celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. If you are looking to celebrate, you can review the list of events below or simply support a locally Asian American business.
Camden County:
Cherry Hill West High School will be hosting their fifth Annual AAPI Festival on Friday, May 18, from noon-3:30 p.m. located on 2101 Chapel Avenue. For more information visit: facebook.com/AsianAmericanAllianceInSouthJersey
Hunterdon County:
Union Township will be hosting their third Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Food & Music Festival on Saturday, May 3, from 1-5 p.m., located on Stuyvesant Avenue. If it rains that day, the festival date will change to Saturday, May 10. For more information on the Asian American and Pacific Islander Food & Music Festival visit: www.uniontownship.com
Bergen County:
Dumont will be hosting their Fourth Annual AAPI Art Exhibit on Saturday, May 3 from 1-3 p.m. in the lobby of Dumont Borough Hall, located at 50 Washington Ave. For more information on the AAPI Art Exhibit visit: www.dumontnj.gov
Essex County:
Montclair will be hosting their Fifth Annual Lantern Festival for Justice and Unity on Thursday, May 17, from 6-10 p.m. located at Edgemont Memorial Park. For more information visit: https://aapinewjersey.org
Mercer County:
Trenton-Asian American Advocacy Day on May 22 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the State House Annex located on 131-137 W State Street. For more information on Asian American Advocacy Day visit https://aapinewjersey.org
If there are any local events happening in your area that you would like to be shared on Front Runner New Jersey’s newsletter, please contact Clyde Hughes at chughes@acjosephmedia.com.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Ashley Ward is a first-year communications student at Rowan College South Jersey and a proud member of the women’s golf team. The daughter of entrepreneurial couple James and April Ward, Ashley loves to represent her Filipino and African American heritage. She enjoys collecting Pokémon cards, learning new languages, playing the drums, and listening to—and writing—the stories of people from all walks of life. This is her first story with FRNJ.
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