Asian Pacific Islander Desi Heritage Month kicks off at Long Beach City College with a celebration event that included music, traditional food, a mini fashion show of students showcasing their cultural attire, live entertainment from professional drummers, and a live mini dance show from APID students.
The annual celebration honored the many contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans, and Native Hawaiians.
The event took place at LBCC’s LAC campus in the A quad on May 2, from 12 p.m.- 2 p.m.
The ADIP committee announced how LBCC just launched their “MANA Program,” which is dedicated to building cultural and educational community experiences for APID students, and to give them a strong foundation within their community.
LBCC students Pallavy Noeun, Alyssa Sao, Mackenzie Nailor, Jennifer Cortes and Kerry Chhay were just some of the students that participated in the fashion show.
“I participated today because I would love to represent my Cambodian culture and especially in the city of Long Beach where there is a very prevalent Cambodian population,” Noeun said, “I think it’s important that we have this aesthetic kinda representation and to also let students know our country and culture is still resilient and I think it’s important to represent here in America.”
Mackenzie Nailor is the secretary of the Japanese culture club at LBCC and her professor asked if she would like to participate in the fashion show and with no hesitation she said yes.
“My outfit represents a summer yukata, there’s a lot of representation in the flowers, and through the yukata every detail from the birds to the flower it symbolizes something,” Nailor said.
APID intern director and club advisor Alex Long helps out with all the APID events and promotes awareness of the club.
“I would want students to know and have the empowerment to explore their roots and culture and ask questions like, where am I from? Or where is my family from? And see how much of that impacts them today,” Long said.
The next APID event will be hosted by the ADIP club, which is the “Night Market,” which will be Wed May 8 at LAC in the A quad from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
The Night Market is APID student club’s adaptation of the 626 Night Market, with the goal of sharing APID diversity and culture, and all the proceeds from this fundraiser will go directly to the student clubs and organizations.
For more event details for APID Heritage Month the LBCC website has the event calendar to keep students updated on the upcoming events.