Join the Asian American Cultural Center and the Rutgers University–New Brunswick community in celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month! This month celebrates the unique cultures, traditions, and rich history of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans in United States. We invite you to participate in this year’s APIDA Heritage month by checking out our page at @ruacc on Instagram and on Facebook all month-long beginning April 1st through May 1st. For more information and other inquiries, please contact the Asian American Cultural Center at aacc@echo.rutgers.edu.
Calendar of Events
Battle of the Barrios (RAPS)
Saturday, April 2, 2022 | 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. EST | Trayes Hall
Hosted by Rutgers Association of Philippine Students
APIDA Processing Space
Monday, April 4, 2022 | 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST | Zoom
Sponsored by Asian American Cultural Center
This is an open space to process current events surrounding the rise in Anti-Asian violence and sentiments. The APIDA processing space is an opportunity to be in community with others and to connect with campus and community resources. Register: go.rutgers.edu/apidaspace
Creating a Beloved Community for Immigrant Students At Rutgers
Friday, April 8, 2022 | 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. EST | Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health Room 101 – Cook Campus
Hosted by Cultural Center Collaborative
This program focuses on understanding the experiences of the very diverse group of immigrant students at Rutgers. The program integrates research on immigrant students’ journeys to higher education, a panel of immigrant students’ own experiences of coming to and being at Rutgers, and insights from the heads of Rutgers Cultural Centers about the contributions and needs of immigrant students. The program enhances our understanding of how integral Rutgers’ large immigrant student population is to creating a “beloved community” at Rutgers. Building on their rich cultural and linguistic diversity, they bring “funds of knowledge” to Rutgers about living in a diverse state and university community. This program will raise awareness of the potential contributions of immigrant students to building a “beloved community” at Rutgers and identify programs and strategies to enhance the experiences of immigrant students at Rutgers. Learn more about Robeson Week: go.rutgers.edu/robesonweek
AACC Open House
Saturday, April 9, 2021 | 11:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m. EST
Open house for admitted students
Sponsored by Asian American Cultural Center
APIDA Heritage Month Reception
Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. EST | Busch Student Center MPR
Sponsored by the Asian American Cultural Center and the Asian Student Council
Join us for an evening with Cultural Food, Games, Dances, and Giveaways. Come celebrate APIDA heritage month with us!
Cultural Center Collaborative & CAPS Collaboration
Friday, April 15, 2022 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST | Livingston Student Center
Hosted by Cultural Center Collaborative & Counseling, Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program & Psychiatric Services
Night Market TASA
Friday, April 15, 2022 | Time TBD | Location TBD
Hosted by Rutgers Taiwanese American Student Association
APIDA Processing Space
Monday, April 18, 2022 | 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. EST | Zoom
Sponsored by Asian American Cultural Center
This is an open space to process current events surrounding the rise in Anti-Asian violence and sentiments. The APIDA processing space is an opportunity to be in community with others and to connect with campus and community resources. Register: go.rutgers.edu/apidaspace
Identity & Oppression: An APIDA Community Conversation
Wednesday, April 20, 2022 | 5:00 pm EST | Asian American Cultural Center
Sponsored by Asian American Cultural Center & Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance
Join our colleague Jonel Vilches (he/they) from Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance and our student leader Vahini Shori (she/her) for this workshop specific to the APIDA community. This workshop identifies and analyzes how systemic oppression from outside sources has created unhealthy dynamics, cultural norms, and violence from both outside and within marginalized communities. We will share personal experiences and foster unity as a way to change the norm for the future and break the generational pattern, while simultaneously empowering our communities to persist amidst systemic oppression. This workshop is specifically intended for communities of color, LGBTQ+ students, those from intersecting identities, and folks from historically marginalized communities.
Identity & Oppression: An APIDA Community Conversation
Thursday, April 21, 2022 | 5:00 pm EST | Zoom
Sponsored by Asian American Cultural Center & Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance
Join our colleague Jonel Vilches (he/they) from Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance and our student leader Vahini Shori (she/her) for this workshop specific to the APIDA community. This workshop identifies and analyzes how systemic oppression from outside sources has created unhealthy dynamics, cultural norms, and violence from both outside and within marginalized communities. We will share personal experiences and foster unity as a way to change the norm for the future and break the generational pattern, while simultaneously empowering our communities to persist amidst systemic oppression. This workshop is specifically intended for communities of color, LGBTQ+ students, those from intersecting identities, and folks from historically marginalized communities.
Digital Humanities Speaker Series – Digital Archives of Asia
Friday, April 22, 2022 | 1:00 – 3:00 pm EST | Zoom
Sponsored by Rutgers Digital Humanities Initiative, the Division of Humanities, the Global Asias Initiative, and the Public History Program, and the departments of African, Middle Eastern, and South Asian Languages and Literatures (AMESALL), American Studies, English, History, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese, Classics, and German, Russian, and East European Languages and Literatures
“Digital Archives of Asias” brings together scholars and artists who are using digital humanities methods and mediums to preserve, interpret, and make accessible the histories and cultures of Asia and its diasporas. Panelists will explore the following question: how can digital mediums, technologies, and projects make critical interventions into Asian and Asian American Studies, and what opportunities do they offer for cultivating new audiences for work in art and the humanities?
ChinaNite (CSO)
Saturday, April 23, 2022 | Doors Open 6:30 pm | College Avenue Student Center
Hosted by the Rutgers Chinese Student Organization
For the past 24 years, CSO’s annual ChinaNite fashion show has been one of the biggest events in the Rutgers community. Rutgers students take the runway as our event coordinators and models show off their best looks and offer unforgettable performances through a collaboration of walks and videography. This year, all proceeds will be donated to the Chinese American Mental Health Outreach Program (CAMHOP) of NJ.
APIDA Voices: Faculty Panel (ASC)
Monday, April 25, 2022 | 7:30 – 9:30 PM EST | Asian American Cultural Center
Sponsored by The Asian Student Council
Join us at ASC’s “APIDA Voices: Faculty Panel” to learn more about how you can get involved with the APIDA community at Rutgers, such as through Asian American Studies, Global Asias, and more! Food and drinks will be served!
Mar & Queer & Asian – LGBTQ Malayali Experiences
Tuesday, April 26, 2022 | 7:00 – 8:00 PM EST | Location TBD
APIDA Art Show (AACC)
Friday, April 29, 2022 | 3:00 – 5:00 PM EST | Asian American Cultural Center
Sponsored by the Asian American Cultural Center
This semester, the AACC Junior Internship class has examined their own identities and the larger APIDA Community from a global and local context. Come see the final projects of our junior interns as they share about impactful stories and experiences impacting our vibrant community. This event will serve as the reception to the art show.
Barrio Fiesta (RAPS)
Monday, May 2, 2022 | 6:00 – 7:00 PM EST | Asian American Cultural Center
Hosted by the Rutgers Association of Philippine Students
Barrio Fiesta is a talent showcase hosted by the Rutgers Association of Philippine Students, their cultural dance troupe (RCDT) and their acoustic group of singers (RAGS) as well as representative for FIND D3 competitions.
APIDA Gala
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM EST | Busch Student Center
Sponsored by the Asian American Cultural Center
The Asian American Cultural Center will be hosting the APIDA GALA on Wednesday, May 4th. This event will celebrate the achievements and contributions of individuals and organizations in the Asian Pacific Islander & Desi American (APIDA) community at Rutgers. The deadline for submissions, event registration and general RSVP is April 18th at 12 pm. Register today and come support your APIDA community. Visit go.rutgers.edu/apidagala to learn more.
