6 Ways to Celebrate Asian American Pacific American Heritage Month with Your Y Community

Throughout Chicagoland and the Y movement, there are so many meaningful ways to observe Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM). By celebrating the diverse people, histories, and cultures that make up the Asian and Pacific Islander diasporas, we combat hate, learn from one another, and strengthen our communities.
 
We encourage everyone in our Y community to meaningfully and respectfully engage in the APAHM celebrations happening in your neighborhood and online, including the following:
 
API Heritage Month Special Event: Stronger Together
Join the YMCA National Asian and Pacific Islander Leadership Network on Wednesday, May 18 at 12pm CT for a conversation about allyship and the role YMCAs play in supporting Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. This webinar features a roundtable discussion with API leaders in the Y movement.

Chicago Architecture Center’s Explore Chinatown Walking Tour
Led by the Chicago Architecture Center, this walking tour takes participants on a 90-minute journey through Chinatown to learn about this beloved Chicago neighborhood’s art, architecture, and history.

Y Community Conversations: Exploring the Asian American Identity Crisis
Should one assimilate or preserve their heritage? For many young Asian Americans, embracing cultural traditions and values while navigating life in the United States can be a juggling act. The YMCA of Greater Seattle, through its Y Community Conversation series, aims to explore these questions through an engaging virtual event happening Monday, May 23 at 3:30pm CT.

AAPI Restaurants Week
Eat well and support local Asian and Pacific Islander-owned businesses! From now through Sunday, May 22, several eateries throughout Chicagoland—in both the city and suburbs—are participating in AAPI Restaurants Week.

“History, hope, help: Wintrust's Ray Padilla reflects on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month”
Wintrust Community Bank, a proud partner of the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, is uplifting the voices of its Asian and Pacific Islander leaders this May. Read about Ray Padilla, Chair of Wintrust’s Multicultural Professionals Network Business Resource Group, and his reflections on API representation in work and life.

YMCA Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Playlist
Curated by the YMCA of the USA for your listening pleasure, check out this Spotify playlist highlighting Asian and Pacific Islander music artists across genres! API representation in the arts is crucial and helps young creatives see new possibilities within themselves.
 

No matter how you observe, we at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago wish you a joyful and culture-rich Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month!