Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American Heritage Month
What is APIDA Heritage Month?
In 1978, Congress passed a Congressional Resolution for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans to be celebrated during the first week in May. It was the anniversary of the first wave of Japanese immigrants to the U.S. as well as the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which was predominantly built by Chinese Americans. In 1992, the celebration was extended through the entire month of May.
Here at the University of Maryland, we hold APIDA Heritage Month (APIDAHM) during April instead of May to ensure that our APIDA community gets a full month to celebrate their culture and heritage before summer break begins. 2025 will mark the 33rd year that APIDAHM has been a nationally recognized month-long affirmation of the experiences and contributions of APIDA communities. Learn more about APIDAHM 2025 as well as our past Heritage Month themes below!
Move with might, Move as one
For many, movement is at the center of our Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American culture, identity, history, and heritage. We witness the currents of migration, from rushing through the hustle of airport lines, to waiting to hear stories and opening gifts from homelands. Here, we stand at the shoreline of family histories, watching the tide come and go.
To move is also a bodily act, in dance and in sport. Our bodies flow, twinkling in bright, cultural costumes to steady and stoic in martial arts uniforms. We move to breathe easier, to become stronger. Some move for recognition, for access, for care. Few move with militancy, and others with grace. Many rally to carry their voices for those who cannot move at all. From working in solidarity, to fighting for land back, to advancing the liberation of our people and sovereignty for our homelands, we must remember the power we hold as one. With arms clasped together, we recall – when one person in our community falls, we all fall, and when one person rises, we all rise. Our movements are only as strong as our bonds with one another.
We must keep moving even through these turbulent times. Come close, hold each other tight. The struggle continues, but do not be afraid. We can live without fear when the community is here. So, what’s our next move?
Hosted by MICA
Date & Time: April 2 and 3
Location: STAMP Hoff Theater
Co-Sponsor: SEE
Date & Time: April 3, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Chapel Lane (between The Chapel and Skinner Building)
This event is hosted by the Office of Multicultural Involvement and Community Advocacy within the Adele H. Stamp Student Union and co-sponsored by the Department of Resident Life. In celebration of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American Heritage Month, we are kicking off with “Food on the Move” to uplift some of our local APIDA food trucks and in alignment with our theme.
Date & Time: April 19, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Grand Ballroom
Co-Sponsor: Asian American Student Union (AASU)
Unity Gala is an end-of-the-year formal honoring all APIDA communities here at UMD.
RSVP: go.umd.edu/RSVPUG25
Date & Time: April 23, 6-8 PM
Location: MICA Cozy Corner
Co-Sponsor: A/PI Domestic Violence Resource Project
Join us at this zine-making workshop, facilitated by the Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (A/PI DVRP), as we explore healthy relationships and how they show up in our community. What do we want our relationships to be like with one another? How can we unlearn unhealthy patterns or behaviors? Express yourself through collaging and zine-making – find some sequins, sketch your thoughts, and create!
Date & Time: April 27
Location: Smithsonian American Art Museum
Co-Sponsor: Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center
Join us for a guided tour of the Sightlines: Chinatown and Beyond exhibition, which highlights the imprint of Asian Americans on the physical and cultural terrain of Washington, DC. brings together martial arts, neighborhood plans, street art, and more. Attendees can also join us to explore other exhibitions in the galleries – come see what moves you!
RSVP: stamp.umd.edu/sightlines
Date & Time: April 30, 6:30-8:30 PM
Location: Pyon Su Room (Stamp Student Union)
Join MICA and local community organizers for an educational program on protest safety and care. Come process and gain a better understanding of the climate on campus. Community organizers will facilitate an introduction to police liaising and street medic training. Come learn how to keep each other safe!
Calendar of Events
Mr. Wiffleball
Date & Time: March 28, 6:30 – 10:00 PM
Location: STAMP Hoff Theater
Host: Taiwanese American Student Association (@umcptasa)
Mr. Wiffleball is UMCP TASA’s annual male beauty pageant charity event. We bring in contestants from different APIDA orgs to compete and show off their talents and charisma, all while pooling in funds to donate to APIA Scholars. Mr. Wiffleball is one of the largest Asian organization mixers on campus and is a display of the unique and rich cultures that we have here at UMD. Come out to cheer for your favorite contestant as we bring the real life pageant experience to you!
Holi
Date & Time: March 29, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
Location: McKeldin Mall
Host: Hindu Student Council
Conrad Tao & Caleb Teicher: Counterpoint ft. Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue
Date & Time: March 30, 3:00 PM
Location: The Clarice, Gildenhorn Recital Hall
Host: Clarice Presents
Nepali Night
Date & Time: April 5
Location: STAMP Colony Ballroom
Host: Nepali Student Association
Philippine Culture Night (PCN)
Date & Time: April 12, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: STAMP Grand Ballroom
Host: Filipino Cultural Association (@fca_umcp)
Philippine Culture Night, or PCN, is known as the culmination of all things FCA. This event combines all the separate aspects of our organization into one large production that is written, directed, and performed by our very own members. Focusing on topics that relate to us as Filipino Americans, this play showcases our experiences through our own personal lenses. With both cultural and modern dance performances weaved in as well, this event truly encapsulates all of the pieces that make up FCA.
Linda May Han Oh Group: The Glass Hours
Date & Time: April 12, 8:00 PM
Location: The Clarice, Dance Theatre
Host: Clarice Presents
Tianyi Dance Team Showcase
Date & Time: April 12, 7:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: STAMP Hoff Theater
Host: Tianyi Dance Team
Free to Speak
Date & Time: April 13, 3:00 – 5:30 PM
Location: STAMP Prince George's Room
Host: Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. (@umcpsigmas)
Find us in STAMP for our annual philanthropy event, featuring food, live speakers, and activities—all dedicated to raising awareness about domestic violence. Every dollar raised will directly support My Sister’s Place.
Tales of Japan
Date & Time: April 13, 5:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: STAMP Colony Ballroom
Host: Japanese American Student Association (@umcpjasa)
Join us for a fantastical and mystical night of folktales and ancient myths. Take a deep dive into Japanese folklore through activities, cultural performances, and delicious food. You won’t want to miss out!
For ticket information, visit JASA on Instagram.
UMD PSA Presents: Rocky Aur Rani Mock Shaadi
Date & Time: April 17, 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Location: Stamp Grand Ballroom
Host: Pakistani Student Association (@umdpsa)
Join PSA as they celebrate Pakistani heritage and culture! Wear your favorite traditional attire, eat your favorite cultural snacks, and dance the night away to your favorite Desi songs with your friends!
Sinhala & Tamil New Year
Date & Time: April 18, 3:30 PM
Location: McKeldin Mall
Host: Sri Lankan Student Association (@umdslsa)
Night Market
Date & Time: April 19, 6:00 – 10:00 PM
Location: McKeldin Mall
Host: Taiwanese American Student Association (@umcptasa)
Every year, TASA hosts our annual spring event, Night Market. This year our Night Market is on April 19th, 2025 from 6-10 on the McKeldin Mall! Night Market is inspired by Taiwanese Night Markets and we host a variety of food stalls, games, performances, and lights! Our event mimics authentic Taiwanese Night Markets, so come out to our annual spring event and immerse yourself in Taiwanese street culture!
APIDA Heritage Month Career Panel: On the Move Connecting with Might to Career Connections
Date & Time: April 23, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
Location: Virtual
Host: University Career Center (@umdcareercenter)
In good or challenging times, it is essential to stay ON THE MOVE, preparing for and seeking career opportunities to achieve career success. For recognition of Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month, join the University Career Center & the Asian American Alumni Association for a career panel focused on fostering connection and career-related conversations.
Featured Panelists
- Dr. Marilou Tablang-Jimenez, Chairperson, Department of Psychiatry at Medstar Montgomery Medical Center and Instructor, Georgetown University School of Medicine (UM Psychology Alumni)
- Michael Suh Manager, Web Experiences, National Geographic Society (UM Linguistics Alumni)
- Ruchica Sinha, HCIL grad student, UCCGA and former Pepsi Intern
RSVP: GO.UMD.EDU/APIDA2025
All interested undergraduate and graduate students are welcome.
SASA Spring Formal
Date & Time: April 25, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Riggs Alumni Center
Host: South Asian Student Association (@sasaumd)
The South Asian Student Association is hosting our annual spring formal! We will have a great night full of dances, food, and celebration. The event is ticketed and requires purchase for entrance! Visit bit.ly/sasaformal25 for more information.
Toho Koto Society Concert
Date & Time: April 27, 2:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: The Clarice, Dekelboum Concert Hall
Host: School of Music and UMD Japanese Koto Ensemble
Directed by Yuriko Gandolfo, the UMD Japanese Koto Ensemble features elegant music played on the koto, a traditional Japanese 13-string instrument. Koto music reflects the quiet beauty, simplicity and harmonizing effect of Japanese nature. The concert will also feature the Washington Toho Koto Society. This is a FREE event and no tickets are required.
Korean Drumming Concert
Date & Time: April 28, 7:30 - 9:30 PM
Location: The Clarice, Dekelboum Concert Hall
Host: School of Music and UMD Korean Percussion Ensemble
Experience the vibrant beat of samulnori under the direction of Sebastian Wang. This modern incarnation of traditional Korean folk music celebrates harvest time and provides a lively soundtrack to dancing. The ensemble is comprised of four types of percussion instruments—an hourglass drum, a barrel drum, a small gong and a large gong—each representing a natural element: rain, clouds, lightning and wind, respectively. This is a FREE event and no tickets are required.
APIDA Affinity Climb
Date & Time: May 2, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Location: Eppley Recreation Center Climbing Wall
Host: RecWell Adventure Program (@umdadventure)
This Affinity Climb will be a space for people who identify as APIDA to come together to connect with each other while being active in the outdoors. This is a new climber-friendly environment with experienced RecWell Adventure Program staff on hand to help. No equipment or registration needed. We hope to see you there!