Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Events in ABQ

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is celebrated each May to honor the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This month recognizes the diverse histories and achievements of individuals with roots in East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands, and it serves as a time to reflect on their vital role in shaping American history and society.

Here are some events happening in and around Albuquerque for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month:

If you are looking to kick off your summer reading, here are some book recommendations  by AAPI authors:

Adult Books
  • Dear Girls by Ali Wong - Fans of Ali Wong’s Netflix comedy specials will definitely enjoy this novel. Written for her daughters to read in the future, Wong shares heartfelt and humorous stories about her experiences growing up as an Asian American.
  • Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng -  Many might know the Hulu-adapted show starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington. This novel focuses on a small town in Ohio and how two families are fighting for custody over a Chinese-American baby. 
  • This Is Paradise by Kristiana Kahakauwila  - This novel offers a vivid glimpse into the everyday experiences of people across the islands of Hawaii. Through a collection of diverse stories, readers explore the beauty, challenges, joy, and heartbreak that shape life in Hawaii.
Children’s Books
  • The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi - A great book for teachers and parents to use when explaining how some names might sound different or be hard to pronounce. Children need to be taught to say names correctly, and we need to teach our kids to love their names even when they sound different.
  • Grandmother School by Rina Singh - Based on a true story of a grandmother and her granddaughter in India- this is a story that is touching and loving. A girl takes her grandmother to school so that her grandmother can learn how to read and write since there is a huge population of elderly people in India who are unable. 
  • Bee-bim Bop! by Linda Sue Park - This is such a fun book celebrating a Korean rice dish that all families find meaningful. The sing-song read is so fun with little kids!

Advancing, Belonging, Community & Diversity Committee
presents this cultural heritage celebration blog