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Celebrate API Heritage Month
Asian Pacific Islander American (API) 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 API community. Due to the nature of our academic schedule, the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI), and the University of Colorado Denver Center for Access and Campus Engagement recognizes API 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 API community.
Through our events, we celebrate the vast diversity within the API identity and bring to light issues that our community is experiencing in order to grow and heal.
Events
API Heritage Month Kick-Off
Tuesday, April 1st | 11:30AM – 1:30PM | Tivoli Turnhalle
Open to the public, no registration required
Join us as the Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion and the University of Colorado Denver Center for Access and Engagement proudly invites you to our API Kick-Off event, a vibrant celebration of the rich culture and community of Asia Pacific Islander (API) heritage. Immerse yourself in a day filled with music, diverse external vendors, and delectable cuisine as we honor the tapestry of traditions that define the API experience.
This event isn’t just about celebration; it’s also about empowerment. Discover an array of valuable community resources tailored for Auraria students, families, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members alike. From academic support to cultural enrichment, these resources are designed to uplift and unite our diverse community.
All are welcome to join us throughout the day to pay homage to the beauty and diversity of the 48 countries that comprise Asia. Whether you can stay for the entire event or just drop by, your presence will help us create a vibrant tapestry of unity and celebration. Let’s come together to honor, learn, and celebrate the rich tapestry of API culture!
First They Killed My Father Author: Luong Ung Keynote
Wednesday, April 2nd | 11:00AM – 12:30PM | St. Cajetan’s
Join us for a powerful and thought-provoking keynote address featuring Luong Ung, the author of the book First They Killed My Father, as she shares insights on her book. This keynote will challenge, inspire, and empower us to embrace our stories, amplify our voices, and create meaningful change. Whether you’re looking for motivation, a new perspective, or a deeper connection to community, this is a keynote you won’t want to miss!
“From a childhood survivor of the Cambodian genocide under the regime of Pol Pot, this is a riveting narrative of war crimes and desperate actions, the unnerving strength of a small girl and her family, and their triumph of spirit.
One of seven children of a high-ranking government official, Loung Ung lived a privileged life in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh until the age of five. Then, in April 1975, Pol Pot’s Khmer Rouge army stormed into the city, forcing Ung’s family to flee and, eventually, to disperse. Loung was trained as a child soldier in a work camp for orphans, her siblings were sent to labor camps, and those who survived the horrors would not be reunited until the Khmer Rouge was destroyed.
Harrowing yet hopeful, Loung’s powerful story is an unforgettable account of a family shaken and shattered, yet miraculously sustained by courage and love in the face of unspeakable brutality.”
API Mix & Mingle Event
Tuesday, April 8th | 4:00PM – 6:00PM | Tivoli 320’s
Join us for an exciting Asian Pacific Islander (API) Mix & Mingle, a vibrant gathering designed to build connections, celebrate culture, and foster community! Whether you identify as Asian, Pacific Islander, or an ally, this is a space to meet fellow students, engage with API organizations, and explore ways to get involved on campus.
Tanghulu Demonstration
Wednesday, April 16th | 12:00 – 2:00PM | Tivoli 129
Experience the magic of Tanghulu, a beloved Asian street treat made by coating fresh fruit in a crisp, glossy sugar shell! Join us for a live demonstration where you’ll learn about the history of this traditional Chinese snack and watch the mesmerizing process of making it.
From skewering fruit to achieving the perfect sugar glaze, this hands-on demo will give you the chance to see (and taste!) Tanghulu in action. Don’t miss out on this fun and delicious experience!
Register in advance for the in-person cooking class as seats are limited.
REGISTER: https://msudenver.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eVsMTh4TXKMlshg
API Graduation Celebration
Tuesday, April 29th | 11:00AM – 1:00PM | Invite Only
Want to Learn More?
In honoring API Heritage Month, below are additional resources:
Colorado Asian Pacific UnitedResources
Asian Girls Ignite is on a mission to build a strong community of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) girls and women by celebrating their individual and collective power through shared stories.
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.
- AAPI Emergency Response Network
- Asian Pacifica American Bar Association of Colorado
- Stand Against Hatred – Asian Americans Advancing Justice
- Stop AAPI Hate – Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action, San Francisco State University
- Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
- Get involved with the Colorado Asian Chambers of Commerce
Colorado Asian Pacific United (CAPU) is a coalition of Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, creatives, and allies in Denver. CAPU strives to enhance and rich the Asian American and Pacific Islander experiences in Colorado.
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.
Media List
- Afterparties by Anthony Veasna So
- Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala
- The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
- The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
- The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang
- How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
- Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
- The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
- Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen
- To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
- Minari – A Korean American family moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
- The Farewell – Billi’s family returns to China under the guise of a fake wedding to stealthily say goodbye to their beloved matriarch – the only person that does not know she only has a few weeks to live.
- The Half of It – Friendless student Ellie Chu lives in the remote town of Squahamish, where she makes extra money writing homework papers for her fellow students. She lives with her widowed father and performs most of his duties as station master and signalman.
- Everything Everywhere All at Once – Michelle Yeoh stars in this spellbinding, sci-fi epic about a woman who tries to do her taxes but becomes sucked into a multiverse war. Without spoiling too much, the movie explores themes of family, mother-daughter relationships, and has a lot of cool fight scenes.
- Turning Red – It may be a Disney movie about kids, but adults will love Turning Red for its story about growing up and finding yourself. One day, Canadian teenager (and boy band obsessed) Mei discovers she has a family curse where she turns into a red panda with any strong emotion.
- Always Be My Maybe – Ali Wong and Randall Park star in this romantic comedy about two childhood friends who never seem quite ready to be together. It’s a sweet movie about old friends and oh, Keanu Reeves.
- BTS – Also known as the Bangtan Boys, is a seven-member South Korean boy band that began formation in 2010. With the rise in popularity of Korean music, BTS has hit the stage internationally and has amassed fans worldwide. Check out their songs, “Dynamite” and “Life Goes On” from their most recent album.
- Jai Wolf – Sajeeb Saha, known professionally as Jai Wolf, is a Bengali New York-based electronic music producer. He is best known for his singles, “Indian Summer”, “Like It’s Over”, and “Starlight”.
- NIKI – NIKI is an Indonesian singer, songwriter and record producer. She is currently based in the United States and signed with the record label 88rising. She was signed onto her label after her huge success on YouTube. Her newest album Moonchild features songs such as “Switchblade”, “Selene” and “Pandemonium”.
- keshi – keshi (Casey Luong) was born in Houston, Texas to Vietnamese parents. Prior to making music his full-time career, he was a full-time nurse. He is now known for his distant falsetto vocals and textural instruments. Check out his songs, “2 soon”, “like i need you”, and “always”.
- Rina Sawayama – Rina is a Japanese-British singer-songwriter and model based in London. Her newest album Sawayama gained a lot of buzz this past year. The album was an exploration of identity, family, gender and sexuality, set to a backdrop of future-facing, genre-splicing pop music as she lyrically explores personal experiences from both her childhood and adulthood.
- Little Dragon – Little Dragon, Swedish pop band, will make you want to get up and dance with their infectious grooves.
- Black Pink – Blackpink is a South Korean girl group formed by YG Entertainment, consisting of members Jisoo, Jennie, Rosé, and Lisa.
- Raveena – Inspired by her Indian heritage and dedication to spiritual practices, singer Raveena channels her heritage on queer focused music.
- TOKiMONSTA – Electronic artist TOKiMONSTA is a collaborator with Anderson.Paak, ZHU, Isaiah Rashad and more. Overcoming two brain surgeries for Moyamoya disease in 2015, the artist had to relearn language and her music skills to continue to produce and play shows today.
- Asian Boss Girl Notable Episodes
- Brown Taboo Project Notable Episodes
- Dear Asian Americans Notable Episodes
Center for Multicultural Engagement and Inclusion (CMEI)
Questions? Contact CMEI
Learn More About CMEIPhone:
303-615-0606
Mailing Address:
Campus Box 39, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362