Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

by | May 1, 2023

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an important celebration that recognizes the achievements and the rich culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in various fields being brought to the forefront of society.

The annual celebration of this month serves as a way to debunk cultural myths and promote cultural diversity, understanding, and inclusion in the United States and right here in Florida. The Asian Pacific American Heritage Month shares that this month commemorates two dates in May, the migration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States in 1843, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad which was completed by over 20,000 Asian American immigrants in 1869. An estimated 10% of businesses in the United States are Asian-owned, and according to the Department of Health and Human Services Asian Americans account for 5.7% of the population with Florida having the 7th largest Asian American population. This impact of Asian American culture on the local community cannot be ignored as it has changed the face of the community.

Team Anna is proud to support, celebrate, and empower Asian and Pacific Islander Americans of any and all ethnicities this month and every month. House Bill 287 is just one way we have been able to move towards highlighting the rich history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our community and across the state of Florida. This bill requires instruction and education on AAPI history and culture, which was brought to the legislature last year by Rep. Eskamani and now this year with members from both sides of the aisle. Team Anna is fighting for AAPI representation from the house floor, and all the way back to the district. From the incredible supportive community groups and nonprofits that have pushed for this change in the teachings of AAPI history and culture to the amazing small businesses and restaurants, we applaud, commemorate, and honor the enriching culture and heritage of Asian American and Pacific Islanders across Florida and in our very own House District 42. 

Check out Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ community groups, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and some celebratory events in House District 42 below:

Community Groups and Non-Profit Organizations within Central Florida

 

15 Small Businesses with House District 42

Dong A Supermarket – 816 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

Hawkers Asian Street Fair – 1103 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803

Izziban Sushi & BBQ – 5310 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32807

Z Asian – 1830 E Colonial Dr Ste B, Orlando, FL 32803

Meng’s Kitchen – 2415 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803

DOMU – 3201 Corrine Dr Suite 100, Orlando, FL 32803

Kabooki Sushi – 3122 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803

Dochi Donuts – 3201 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL 32803

Sampaguita Ice Cream – 1233 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32803

Curry Bowl – 1700 Fennell St #3, Maitland, FL 32751

Wave Asian Bistro – 360 E Horatio Ave, Maitland, FL 32751

Boku Sushi and Grill – 140 Independence Ln, Maitland, FL 32751

Light on the Sugar – 501 Orlando Ave STE 225, Winter Park, FL 32789

Mynt Fine Indian Cuisine – 535 W New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

Tamarind Indian Cuisine – 501 Orlando Ave Suite #149, Winter Park, FL 32789

KrungThep Tea Time – 1051 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789

 

Community Events within House District 42

Event name: Orange County Asian-Inspired Art Exhibition
Description: The Orange County Asian Committee, in partnership with the City of Orlando, presents a new Asian-Inspired Art Exhibition at the Orange County Administration Building, featuring artwork by Central Florida artists. All artwork will have an Asian, Asian American or Pacific Islander theme, with an awards ceremony to be held on Friday 19 from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Location: Orange County Administration Building, 201 South Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, 32801
Date & time: Monday – Friday, May 1st – 30th, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Details: For more information, click here.

Event name: Orange County AAPI Heritage Month Celebration with Proclamation Presentation
Description: Join the Orange County Asian Committee and the Orange County Board of County Commissioners for the 11th Annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration! The event will include a Mayor’s Welcome & Proclamation, Asian American Cultural Performance and Cultural Exhibition, and an Asian-Inspired Art Exhibition.
Location: Orange County Administration Building, 201 South Rosalind Avenue, Orlando, 32801
Date & time: Tuesday, May 2nd, 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Details: For more information, click here.

Event name: Eatonville Branch Library Central Florida’s Asian & Pacific Islander Community Event
Description: Join the Eatonville Branch Library where kids will learn about the Asian American and Pacific Islander community in Central Florida through a brief history walk through and an engaging discussion and activity. Recommended for ages 6-12.
Location: 200 E Kennedy Blvd, Eatonville, FL 32751
Date & time: Tuesday, May 16th, 3:45 pm – 4:45 pm
Details: For more information, click here.

Event name: AAPI History Book Club
Description: Join the History Center’s book club as we discuss Lawson Fusao Inada’s award-winning 1997 poetry book, Drawing the Line. Inada is a third-generation Japanese-American author from Fresno, California, born in 1938. He was named Oregon’s Poet Laureate in 2006. In 1942, when he was a small child, Inada and his family were sent to internment camps, first in Fresno, then in Arkansas and Colorado. He was one of the youngest to live in the camps. A jazz bass player, he studied poetry with Philip Levine at Fresno State University. Both jazz and Inada’s experiences of internment are influences in his writing, which also touches on the subjects of racism, spirituality, and music. Join us as we discuss his work, his life, and ties to Central Florida history.
Date & time: Thursday, May 18th, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Orange County Regional History Center, 65 E Central Blvd., Orlando, FL 32801
Details: For more information, click here.

Event name: Orange County Asian-Inspired Art Contest Awards Ceremony
Date & time: Friday, May 19th, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: 201 S. Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL 32802
Details: Contact Shally Wong at shally.wong@ocfl.net or https://www.facebook.com/ocacfl

Event name: Asian Cultural Association Cultural Display and Performance
Description: Put on your dancing shoes and join us for an incredible afternoon of dance and activities. Local performance group, Asian Cultural Association, will be performing Kathak dance from 2 to 3 with activities going on until 4.
Date & time: Saturday, May 20th, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Location: 65 E. Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
Details: For more information, click here.

Event name: Asian-Americans in Florida (Prof. Wenxian Zhang, Rollins College)
Description: Asian immigrants began to arrive in Florida after the Civil War. In the decades since, they have played an increasingly visible role in Florida’s economic, social, and political affairs. In this program, Prof. Wenxian Zhang of Rollins College will trace their experiences and review their contributions to the state from the late 19th century to the present day. He’ll also talk about the fascinating life and work of Lue Gim Gong of DeLand (1857-1925), the “Citrus Wizard of Florida.”
Date & time: Sunday, May 21st, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Location: 65 E. Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801
Details: For more information, click here.

Event name: ACT Town Hall Meeting (Raising Awareness on Local AAPI Issues)
Description: Join us for an update on ACT voter updates and our community partners about raising awareness on local AAPI Issues. ACT is a Central Florida based grassroots initiative launched in June 2022. ACT was formed by a group of independent, non-partisan concerned citizens to provide an educational public platform for the Asian American Pacific Islanders (“AAPI”) community.
Date & time: Wednesday, May 24th, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: 119 W. Kaley St., Orlando Fl 32806
Details: For more information, click here.