Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
April 13, 2026
Dear Brandeis Community,
Next month is designated to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It is a time to honor the diverse cultures of AAPI communities who are woven into the fabric of American society, and to take time as a community to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
The observance of AAPI Month started out as Asian Pacific Heritage Week in the late 1970s. The choice of May was significant as it marked the anniversary of the first-known immigration of Japanese people to the United States in 1843 and the completion of the transcontinental railroad in 1869, which was built largely by Chinese immigrant laborers. Over time, the week-long celebration evolved into a month-long observance and in 1992, the official name was changed to Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Since then, it has been recognized and celebrated annually in May, not just in the United States but also in other countries with significant AAPI populations.
At Brandeis, we are celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in April to allow for some exciting programming to take place before we focus on finals and commencement in May. We invite everyone to join us for the following event:
Celebrating AAPI Artforms and Traditions
April 17, 2026
Time: 12 – 2 p.m.
Location: SCC Atrium
Sponsors: OAE, ICC, CAE, Student Union
Brandeis proudly offers courses in Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies, East Asian Studies and South Asian Studies, and minors are available in AAPI Studies and East Asian studies. Many of the course offerings allow for our students learn more about Asian societies, cultures, and languages. The AAPI Timeline is one project in a series produced by students to preserve people of color's histories at Brandeis and featured on the Black Space Portal. Visit this new timeline to learn about the activities of the Asian American Student Association (BAASA), the Third World Coalition, and the work to establish Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander Studies at Brandeis. This project also features ten issues of the Eastern Tide literary magazine, one of the more prolific student organization publications. For more information, explore Brandeis Library resources that spotlight various experiences within Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
In addition, our Intercultural Center student clubs promote programming that is open to everyone throughout the year which celebrates culture, food, and learning. This month, we are highlighting the following clubs: Brandeis Asian American Student Association, Brandeis Chinese Student Association, Brandeis Korean Student Association, Club Cantonese at Brandeis, Japanese Student Association, Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers, South Asian Student Association, Southeast Asia Club, Taiwanese Student Association, Vietnamese Student Association.
Everyone is invited to join us to honor and celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as we show our support for one another in the rich diversity of our Brandeis community.
In celebration,
Aida Yuen Wong
Nathan Cummings and Robert B. and Beatrice C. Mayer Chair in Fine Arts
Professor of Fine Arts and East Asian Studies
Chair, Faculty Committee on Access and Excellence
V Varun Chaudhry, PhD
Assistant Professor, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Department
Interim Chair, Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies Program
LeManuel Lee Bitsóí
Vice Provost for Access and Excellence
Associate Research Professor of Health: Science, Society and Policy