APIDA Heritage Month

Celebrate APIDA Heritage Month

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month occurs every year during the month of May to celebrate, uplift, and educate others about the complex history and identities of those in the APIDA community. Due to the nature of our academic schedule, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) recognizes APIDA History Month during the month of April. The CMEI and our partners collaborate every year to create programming surrounding the experiences and issues of the APIDA community. Through our events, we celebrate the vast diversity within the APIDA identity and bring to light issues that our community is experiencing in order to grow and heal.  

 

Keep scrolling down to view all events for this month!

TRI-INSTUTIONAL EVENTS: OPEN TO THE AURARIA CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY

For events opened to the Auraria campus and community sponsored by the University of Colorado Denver, please visit the Asian American Student Services within the Center for Identity & Inclusion.

 

 

Experiences of Asian American Pacific Islander Desi American Discussion Workshops

Wednesday, April 6^th & April 20^th, 3:00 – 4:00 PM

While the experience of being Asian in America varies tremendously, there are shared cultural factors that play a role in defining mental health and supporting well-being, resiliency, and healing. Part of this shared cultural experience such as values, family connections, expression through spirituality or music, reliance on community networks, and church are enriching and can be great sources of strength and support. However, another part of this shared experience is facing racism, discrimination, and inequity that can significantly affect a person’s mental health. Being treated or perceived as “less than” because of the color of your skin can be stressful and even traumatizing. This virtual weekly workshop brought to you by the Counseling Center at MSU Denver will provide a safe space where you can share your narrative with supportive others. For more information contact: Jody Beardsley at

 

Equity Peer Leaders Present: The Film Tigertail Followed by Group Discussion

Monday, April 11^th, 2:30 PM | CMEI Student Lounge, JSSB 237

The Equity Peer Leaders in the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) invite the APIDA Community and our allies to join in community as we share tasty snacks and boba over the film Tigertail. We hope to spotlight APIDA narrative in art, while bringing our APIDA students’ representation on screen and an opportunity for our allies to continue to learn more. After the showing, we will engage in a group discussion, processing themes in the film that can connect to APIDA representation in the media.

 

 

Badminton: Lessons, Games, and Contests (Prizes Awarded Each Day)

Wednesday, April 6^th, 1:00 – 2:00 PM | Thursday, April 7^th, 11:00 AM – Noon | PE Building, East Court (PE 117E)

Join Campus Recreation and the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion for some badminton. All skills and experience welcome. We’ll be offering lessons, games, and contests. Prizes will be awarded each day. Snacks and swag are also available. Walk-ins are welcome, but we do encourage folks to sign-up via the links below. Hope to see you there! For questions/comments, email

 

Dumpling Making & Social Hour | Thursday, April 21^st | Hospitality Learning Center

Dumpling Making — 3:00 PM, Room #106 | Social Hour — 5:00 PM, 2^nd Floor Lounge

At the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) we are strong believers that food helps build community. So please join the CMEI, the APIDA Staff and Faculty Alliance, and the MSU Denver School of Hospitality as we bring Dumpling Making to our students. We invite our community to learn about the origins of different dumplings engaging your five senses. After we cook our dumplings, we will join in a informal social hour open to all (whether or not you attended the in-person portion) where we can begin building connections and enjoy more tasty treats.

Register in advance for in-person dumpling making as seats are limited! But don’t worry, we’ll be livestreaming the cooking tutorial and providing a grocery list ahead of time for those that can’t make it in-person!

 

 

APIDA Professionals Outside of STEM Panel Discussion

Thursday, April 28^th, 3:00 PM | Heavy Appetizers Provided | Tivoli Room 444 – LoRaine Good

The Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI) is partnering with various community organizations to provide APIDA perspective from professionals who are working in areas outside of STEM to students. Please plan to join for an afternoon of conversation and an opportunity for students to network with established professionals.

Want to Learn More?

In honoring APIDA Heritage Month, below are additional resources:

• Support Asian Pacific Development Center of Colorado, which serve and support all immigrant and refugee communities with a whole health, community-based engagement approach through health, education, and advocacy.
• SEARAC is a national civil rights organization that empowers Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese American communities to create a socially just and equitable society. They are currently focused on policies regarding education, immigration and health and aging.
• For more information regarding mental health issues, you can find information and services on organizations like the Asian Mental Health Collective. For a list of Asian and NHPI therapists, visit the directory list.