The Montgomery County Office of Community Partnership (OCP) and the Asian American Health Initiative (AAHI) will host the second annual Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, at Seneca Valley High School in Germantown. The event is free and registration is not required to attend.
Seneca Valley High School is located at 19401 Crystal Rock Dr. in Germantown.
This event coincides with National Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which pays tribute to the generations of AAPI individuals who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, 16 percent of Montgomery County residents identify as Asian, with an additional .01 percent identifying as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.
“We are proud to be one of the most racially diverse jurisdictions in our nation, and that diversity is rooted in the many Asian American and Pacific Islander communities that enrich our quality of life throughout every neighborhood in Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Marc Elrich. “During the month of May, we will celebrate the contributions that our AAPI neighbors have made to the past, present, and future history of Montgomery County. I encourage all residents to join us in honoring all of our AAPI communities this month, and throughout the year.”
The event will feature:
- Cultural performances
- Crafts and games for kids
- Health fair
- AAPI food vendors
- Remarks from local leaders
- AAPI cultural and community bazaar
- Henna tattoos
- Face painting
- Asian Pacific American Officers Committee of the U.S. Public Health Service
- Chinese Alumni Associations of Greater Washington
- Chinese American Community Health Services (CACHS)
- Chinese Culture and Community-Services Center, Inc. (CCACC)
- Idara-e-Jaferia Inc.
- Maryland Vietnamese Mutual Association
- Coordination Council of Chinese-American Association (CCCAA)
- Philippine Nurses Assocation of Metropolitan DC, Inc.
- Vietnamese American Services
The AAHI, part of the County Department of Health and Human Services, works to improve the health and wellness of AAPI residents by applying equity, community engagement and data-driven approaches. More information about the event can be found at AAHIinfo.org. Organizations interested in joining the cultural and community bazaar or would like to perform a cultural song or dance or would like attend as a food vendor, can sign up here.
For more information about the May 21 event, contact Yi Shen with the Office of Community Partnerships at Yi.Shen@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov.