Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

With final exams scheduled for May, Queensborough started its celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month a little early and explored the many colorful resources that highlight aspects of Asian cultures and traditions.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month was initiated in 1990 with a goal to increase cultural awareness within our diverse college community. Over the years, this annual event has included Asian dance, music, food, and Asian arts and crafts. This year, the committee on Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration coordinated several virtual and in-person events for Queensborough's students, faculty, and staff!

Asian Heritage Month Events - Spring 2024

Meditation & Creativity for Managing Stress

Wed, April 10 (12:00 PM -2:00pm) Humanities 114. Refreshments will be provided

In this workshop, the presenter will introduce the techniques of altering breath patterns for better management of emotions, simple practices for achieving higher mindfulness, and ways of experiencing relaxation through meditation. Co-sponsored by Creative writing and Mindfulness club

Lion Dance & Chinese Yo-Yo Performance

Wed, April 10 (2:45 PM -3:30 pm) Great Lawn

The student Lion Dancers of Herricks Chinese Association will perform a traditional Chinese ceremonial dance with audience engagement. The Lion Dance is frequently performed during the Lunar New Year. The lion is a paper mache animal used by two people that moves to the rhythm of a drum beat. The group will also provide a Chinese Yo-Yo demonstration.

Chinese Traditional Tea Ceremony

Monday, April 15 (1:00 PM-2:00 PM) Location: Student Union Lower Level

The traditional tea ceremony will be a demonstration of different kinds of Chinese tea accompanied by a presentation about each kind of tea.

Social Justice Through Poetry and Prose Project Launch Event

Tuesday, April 16 (11:00 AM to 12:00 PM) Room M-136. Refreshments will be provided

At this launch event, students will create poems or prose to highlight their unique processes of overcoming social justice and inequity, in relation to their ethnicity, race, sexual orientation, gender, religion, age, political affiliation, place of national origin, or any other life variables. This event is sponsored by the Mosaic Fund, Asian Heritage Month, and the Creative Writing Club.

Holi Festival: Celebrating the Colors of Spring

Wednesday, April 17 (11:00 AM to 2:30 PM) Great Lawn. Refreshments will be provided

Come celebrate spring's new beginnings! The event will include playing with dry colors, music, and free refreshments. Enjoy some Indian sweets and samosas. Event is co-sponsored by the QCC Student Government, Environmental Sustainability Club, Office of Student Activities, and the Asian Heritage Month Committee.

Asian Festival: A Celebration of Asian Heritage and Culture

Tuesday, May 7 (5:30 PM to 7:30 PM) Student Union Lobby. Refreshments will be provided

This annual celebration will include a variety of cultural performances (dance and music) by QCC students and community members. Cultural display tables include calligraphy, Chinese Painting, Henna, Costumes, etc. Additionally, QCC faculty and students are invited to share multilingual poetry related to Asian experiences. The event is open to the entire QCC community.

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Asian Heritage Month Events - Spring 2023

On April 19, the Asian Heritage Month Committee coordinated a Multicultural Musical & Cultural event presented by Queensborough’s Music Department in conjunction with the renowned Rubin Museum. The event included live, on-campus performances by acclaimed professional musicians, coordinated by Dr. Joanne Chang, from the Music Department with a program arranged by the Rubin Museum. Unlike previous years, this musical event highlighted the cultures and music of Tibet, Mongolia, and India.

On April 20 Mahjiang (Mahjong) event was held where students learned and played Mahjong, a game of both skill and luck that originated in China centuries ago and is popular in many places in the world today.

On April 21, a Solidarity Now! Creating Awareness of Anti-Asian Racism event was held where attendees learned about Asian violence and discrimination which continues to be problem within our communities. In response, Asian American Faculty and Staff Association (AAFSA), the Asian Heritage Month Committee (AHMC), and Student Activities raised awareness and discussed solidarity and support for the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Guest speakers Senator Liu and Senator Chu (Brooklyn) moderated and responded to audience questions.

On April 26, the College held its annual Asian Cultural Festival in the Student Union building. This colorful and dynamic celebration included a variety of cultural presentations, traditional dances, and musical performances by QCC students and community members.

Check out some of the highlights from our Asian Cultural Festival featuring the graceful traditional dances and colorful costumes worn by QCC students and community members celebrating the diversity and beauty of Asian culture.