Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month with Us!

Join AARP California as we recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander culture and contributions to the United States.

A Message from AARP California:
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the many contributions that generations of Asian American and Pacific Islanders have made to American history, society, and culture. It also offers us a time for reflection to better understand the Asian and Pacific Islander experience today.

We should all be deeply concerned about the rise in anti-Asian sentiment, harassment, and hate crimes since the start of COVID-19 pandemic. These attitudes and actions run counter to AARP values of any decent society. AARP’s vision is a society in which all people live with dignity and purpose and are able to fulfill their goals and dreams. AARP is committed to ending age discrimination, embracing a culture of inclusion, and advocating for the health, financial security, and personal fulfillment for all.

“AARP strongly condemns all racially-motivated violence and harassment,” says Nancy McPherson, AARP California State Director. “This year, may we all embody qualities of the Tiger and have courage to stand for justice and to do what is right. AARP California looks forward to celebrating Asian Americans’ and Pacific Islanders’ integral contributions to the United States’ past, present, and future.”

Read Nancy McPherson’s full statement against Asian and Pacific Islander American hate crimes HERE. To learn more about how to fight racism and how to report racist violence and harassment, visit the California Attorney General’s website, www.oag.ca.gov/hatecrimes.

AARP California Events – Celebrating the Culture and Contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders:
AARP is offering an array of events during the month of May to celebrate the culture and contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander American communities. Read on to learn more!

Healthy Aging Lessons from My “Paw-Paw”: May 6^th @ Noon PT
Hear from Dr. Kathy Yep – a professor of Asian American Studies, a certified mindfulness facilitator through UCLA MARC, and a practitioner of Dayan Qi Gong since the 1990s – as she shares insight on healthy aging and the power of Qi Gong. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.

Mother’s Day Celebration with Joint Chinese University Alumni Association of Southern California (JCUAA): May 8^th @ 11 a.m. PT
Join us for the JCUAA’s Mother’s Day celebration. This event will be hosted in Chinese and will feature an array of activities, including a gentlemen’s cooking contest, card drawing for children, live entertainment and more. Learn more and register HERE. This in-person event is FREE and open to the public.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Night Market in Downtown Sacramento: May 13^th  @ 6 p.m. PT
Join us for the Asian American and Pacific Islander Night Market hosted by the Sacramento Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce as we celebrate the vibrant AAPI culture that enriches the local community. Enjoy the open-air market, Asian food vendors, live music and more. Learn more and purchase tickets for this in-person event HERE.

A Generation Rises! - How the 80’s and 90’s Shaped Us Then and Now: May 18^th @ 4 p.m. PT
Join the authors of Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now, a recently released New York Times Best Seller, for a virtual fireside chat about the Pop Culture of the 80’s and 90’s and how it has fed into larger social and cultural conversations of that decade. Authors Jeff Yang and Phil Yu will be joined throughout the discussion by special celebrity guests featured in the book to bring audiences a lived perspective on all the TV, drama, movie, music, and movements of the time! Although told through a uniquely Asian American perspective, the conversation will share how the moments and movements connected and shaped culture! Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.

A LIVE Virtual Concert with Filipina Artist Sandra Amor: May 18^th @ 5 p.m. PT
Enjoy a LIVE virtual concert with Filipina artist Sandra Amor. Sandra Amor is a singer, actress, and a former leading lady of Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao in the movie "Basaganng Mukha".  Sandra was a member of the Baywalk Bodies Philippine recording singing artist and currently works as a medical examiner. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.

A Long March Directed TS Botkin: Film Screening & Discussion: May 18^th @ 5 p.m. PT
Many Philippine migration stories in California and across the nation are linked to the thousands of Filipino and Filipino American soldiers who went to war to defend the U.S. and Philippines during World War II. In an honest and heartfelt directorial debut, TS Botkin follows Filipino American veterans in his film A Long March as they emotionally trace their paths from war to erasure by the U.S. Government, marching from an obscured history to the Federal courts, right up to the steps of Congress in search of promises denied. Learn more and purchase tickets HERE. This in-person and virtual event is open to the public. Ticket purchase is required. The in-person screening and LIVE discussion will take place at the Museum of Photographic Arts, Balboa Park on May 18^th at 5 p.m. PT. The film may also be purchased for virtual viewing from May 19-30^th.

Japanese Asakatsu – Morning Origami Activity: May 19^th @ 11 a.m. PT
AsaKatsu translates to “morning activity” in Japanese, which many people in Japan participate in to help improve personal productivity for the remainder of the day. Join us for a morning activity and discover the art of origami! During this virtual class you will be introduced to a variety of paper folding patterns and techniques to achieve unique models and shapes. All you need to participate is some paper and an open mind. Any paper type can be used during this class and no previous experience is necessary. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.

A California AAPI Heritage Month Celebration: May 24^th @ Noon PT
Join us for a special virtual event that will focus on AAPI cultural jewels and offerings in California. Learn about the benefits of qi gong, to breaking barriers in cinema, to welcoming the NEW Historic Filipinotown gateway arch in Los Angeles. You won’t want to miss this intimate, virtual offering that promises to put some must-dos and must-sees on your personal checklist! Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.

Find Me with Tom Huang – A Virtual Film Screening & Discussion: May 25^th @ 4 p.m. PT
Enjoy FREE access to the film Find Me and join us for an informative virtual discussion with the film's director and actor, Tom Huang. Registered attendees will receive an access link to view the film Find Me on their own from May 24^th – May 27^th. During the LIVE virtual discussion on May 25th, attendees will hear from Tom Huang and Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) as we discuss Huang’s journey as an Asian American director and actor, and his learnings from creating the film. Katherine Toy, Deputy Secretary for Access of the California Natural Resources Agency will also provide information about exploring state and national parks, Asian American and Pacific Islander markers within public parks and more. You won't want to miss the opportunity to view this awe-inspiring film and participate in this engaging discussion! Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is required.

Find Me highlights the story of a man searching for his friend who leaves clues for him in National Parks across the United States. The film features stunning footage of locations, including Zion National Park, Death Valley and Yosemite.  

How Women in Media Can Help Eliminate Anti-Asian Hate, Violence and Stereotypes: May 26^th 2 p.m. PT Join AARP and ColorComm as Daphne Kwok, AAVP Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, sits down with author-activist Helen Zia and Professor Renee Tajima-Peña to discuss how women in media can help eliminate Anti-Asian Hate, Violence and Stereotypes. Learn more and register HERE. This virtual event is FREE and open to the public.

PBS Documentary Series “Asian America” | On Demand
Watch on your own time, the PBS Series “Asian America” which highlights the history of identity, contributions and challenges experienced by Asian Americans. PBS is now offering this AARP supported series online for free in response to hate violence. The documentary series is a moving tool to create empathy and debunk dangerous myths. Learn more and watch HERE.

AARP California Spotlight Series – Words of Wisdom from Californians:
In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, AARP California is celebrating Year of the Tiger qualities and recognizing four inspirational Californian’s and their stories of strength and perseverance. Videos will publish on AARP California's Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels every Tuesday in May. #AAPIStrong #AAPIHM

To learn more about AARP’s AAPI work, visit aarp.org/aapi.