2024 Asian American Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Heritage Month Celebrations Around the City
May 1 2024
The month of May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. This month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions generations of AAPI’s have made to American history, society and culture. The City of Albuquerque is home to many AAPI communities who will be sharing their diverse cultures throughout the month.
Chinese immigrants first arrived in New Mexico when it was part of Mexico and continued during the U.S. Territorial Period and as workers who built the railroads in the 1880’s. Vietnamese refugees first arrived in Albuquerque in 1975, and people from other Asian and Pacific Island countries continued to make Albuquerque home in the decades since.
Today, AAPI residents are deeply ingrained into all facets of Albuquerque’s diverse civic and cultural life, from business to arts and leadership. In 2020, Mayor Tim Keller announced a historic appointment of Thanh-Lan “Lan” Sena to the City Council District 1 seat. Sena was the first woman to represent the district, and the first Asian (Vietnamese) American to sit on the City Council.
In celebration, the City and community organizations across the metro are celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in various ways. Below is a list of events we know of so far.
Dr. Alana J. Block will lead the "Lesson of Solidarity from the Filipinx American Labor Movement" event at the University of New Mexico on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, from 2 PM – 3:15 PM.
The Albuquerque Isotopes will host the "Isotopes Asian American Pacific Islander Night" on Friday, May 3, 2024, at 5:30 PM, as they play against Round Rock.
True NM will present the "True North New Mexico Exhibition" on Friday, May 3, 2024, from 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM, showcasing the unique voices of 12 Black and AAPINH youth artists expressing their identities through diverse art forms.
Groundwork Studio and APINH Asian Pacific Islander Native Hawaiian Center invite you to the "Asian American Heritage Month Kick Off" event on Sunday, May 5, 2024, from 4 PM – 7:30 PM at the Albuquerque Social Club, featuring food and drag performances.
The White House and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) will host "Lasting Legacies: A White house Celebration of AA & NHPI Heritage & History" on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 10 AM.
The Filipino-American Foundation of New Mexico will hold the annual "Santa Cruzan" event on May 18, 2024, celebrating the beauty and traditions of the Filipino culture.
These events are part of the vibrant celebrations happening throughout Albuquerque in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.