Schedule

Saturday, May 6, 2023
11 a.m. Program

Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2023 with our calendar of live events, recommendations, and on-demand content!

See the Calendar

While the U.S. is home to a growing richness of many identity groups, this diversity is not always reflected in our media, government, or popular culture, and we are often told stories that don’t feel authentically ours or make us feel seen. The representation that we see today has come a long way, yet it is still often entrenched in one-dimensional tropes that further the “othering” of Asians in America.

True representation is a powerful tool to inspire Asian Americans to shine brightly with pride. Join Asia Society Texas, Daya, Houston Coalition Against Hate, and the Center for the Healing of Racism for an annual storytelling series where the community shares original stories, poems, songs, spoken-word pieces, and inspirational works to connect us all and uplift the power of representation!

This event takes place at Houston Public Library – Central.

About the Speaker

Varsha Bajaj, New York Times bestselling author of Count Me In and Thirst, has made great strides to increase Asian representation. Varsha's books allow children to explore their identity and improve our world through self expression.

Most recently, Varsha helped write the story for American Girl’s 2023 Girl of the Year, Kavi Sharma. Kavi’s story represents the diverse and rich culture of South Asia and what it means to be an American girl today. Learn more about Varsha Bajaj here: https://www.varshabajaj.com/.

About Daya

Daya's mission is to empower South Asian survivors of domestic and sexual violence with culturally specific services and to educate the community to end the cycle of abuse. In the Greater Houston area for 26 years, Daya provides safety planning, licensed counseling, and holistic case management, all taking culture into account as they guide the healing process.

About Houston Coalition Against Hate

HCAH is a network of 65+ community-based organizations, institutions, and leaders in Houston that have come together to collectively address and prevent incidents of hate, bias, discrimination, and violence against Houstonians on the basis of a person or group’s religion, race/ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, abilities, age, sexual orientation, national origin, creed, immigration status, or genetic information. HCAH does this through education, research, relationship building, and prevention initiatives, as well as partnering with organizations to host events that celebrate the diversity that makes Houston strong. For more information please visit: houstonagainsthate.org.

About Center for the Healing of Racism

Since 1989, the Center for the Healing of Racism has facilitated the healing of racism through education and dialogue in a safe and supportive environment, in order to empower individuals and transform communities. As the 21st century progresses, our organization is working to bring people of all ethnicities together to heal from the damage of racism.

Education and Outreach programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Wells Fargo. Generous funding also provided by​ Cathay Bank Foundation and the George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation. Additional support is provided by Friends of Asia Society Texas, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in exhibitions and public programming to Houston.

Presenting Sponsor

Additional Support

About APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Beginning in 2021, Asia Society Texas has celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with the Houston community and beyond through a curated calendar for 31 ways to celebrate over the 31 days of May. Spotlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans, the calendar highlights the month's key Asia Society programming, providing a platform to showcase local artists, performers, educators, and leaders who contribute to the vibrant, multicultural tapestry of Houston while also featuring staff recommendations for our favorite music, books, movies, and more by Asian and Asian American creatives.

At Asia Society Texas, APAH Month is an opportunity to celebrate and honor Asians and Asian Americans and to uplift their stories to a broader audience as part of our goal to inspire our larger community to better understand one another through culture, conversation, and connection. For information about sponsoring APAH Month and other projects like this one, please contact Saleena Jafry at [email protected] or 713.496.9939.

See the 2023 Calendar

Sponsors of APAH Month at Asia Society Texas

Asian American Bar Association of Houston
Comcast
The Heimbinder Family Foundation

Past APAH Month Calendars

2022: Highlights | Details
2021: Details

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.