As we take a moment to look back at Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we can't help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude and pride. On behalf of our board, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who attended an AAAYA AANHPI event in the month of May. Your presence, energy, and active participation continue to build and strengthen our community.
Throughout the month, we witnessed our community coming together, forming connections and experiences that will have a lasting impact beyond the month of May. It was a joy to see familiar faces and meet new individuals who share in our passion for empowering and uplifting the AANHPI community.
Let's take a moment to recap all of the incredible events that transpired during the month:
AAAYA General Assembly Meeting: We kicked off the month with our general assembly meeting. It was an opportunity for alumni to gather, engage in meaningful conversations during breakout sessions, and gain insights into AAAYA's future plans.
Yale Day of Service: Embodying our commitment to giving back to the community, many chapters held Yale Day of Service events. Our chapters across the country organized impactful events, channeling their time and energy to give back to local communities.
Paper Crafts Event: Alumni and their families joined our paper crafts events, where we made masks of our mascot! We were all thoroughly impressed by the level of skill and dexterity shown by everyone throughout the session.
AACC Asian Graduation Ceremony: Asian students of the graduating class were recognized in their own ceremony that honored their unique experiences and journeys at Yale. AAAYA Board Officers, Nisreen Hasib (YC'10) and Gaurav Khanna (YC'94) were present to welcome to the students to our alumni community and delivered moving speeches. We wish the class of 2023 all the best as they continue on to their next adventure!
Swag Sales: We have received great feedback on our new swag, which we began rolling out this month with our new logo. While the current sales window for shipments has closed, we will reopen the window for sales later in the year! (Shipments for this year's AANHPI swag will go out next week!)
Kitchen Talk with Monique Truong (YC' 90) and Dr. Tao Leigh Goffe (GSAS'15) : We concluded the month with an insightful and engaging "kitchen talk" featuring Monique Truong and Dr. Tao Leigh Goffe. Their discussion on food histories, literature, and Afro-Asian archives in the Americas provided a platform for thought-provoking conversations and the exploration of our cultural heritage. You can view the recording on our site.
As we move forward, let us carry the energy and connections forged during AANHPI Month into the summer season and beyond. Stay tuned for the exciting events we have planned for the upcoming months, including welcome events for interns and new graduates. For a full list of events, be sure to check out our website.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and active involvement in the AAAYA community. We look forward to seeing you at the next AAAYA event!
-AAAYA National