GVSU celebrates Asian Pacific American heritage

Cultural heritage, adoptee and educational issues and a New Year Festival are among the programs and events Grand Valley State University has planned for the upcoming Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration, presented by community leaders, a CNN news anchor and other specialists. All events are free and open to the public.
   
Monday, February 11, the celebration begins with “Discovering their Past for the Future,” featuring three Asian Pacific American leaders in the community who will unveil their personal stories as young immigrants starting a new life in a new country. Through story telling, discussions and dialogues, they will share their perseverance as they travel on a journey in pursuit of personal, educational, professional and humanitarian achievements. The program runs from 4-5 p.m., in the Cook-Dewitt Center, Allendale Campus. Panelists include George Aquino, general manager, J.W. Marriott Hotel, Grand Rapids; Emmanuel Barias, MD, president, Asian Health Outreach Foundation, Grand Rapids; and Pravina Ramanathan, Asian-American liaison, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Lansing.

On Tuesday, February 12, Susan Morales-Barias, director of the Nonprofit Leadership Institute at Grand Valley, will present “Asian American Engagement in Philanthropic and Nonprofit Sectors,” from noon-1 p.m., in room 204, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. This session will highlight the challenges and opportunities of engaging the diverse Asian American population in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership specifically in the areas of volunteering, giving and staffing. Research and study on the beliefs, attitudes and attributes of the Asian American community in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership will be presented, followed by an interactive discussion on how to enhance engagement of Asian Americans.

Part two of “Asian Adoptees” will also take place on Tuesday, February 12, from 5:30-7 p.m., in rooms 215/216, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. Presenter Carissa Woodwyk, a licensed professional counselor and limited licensed marriage and family therapist, is also a Korean-born adoptee. This workshop explores the fragile beginnings of an adoptee's life while discovering the truth and hope that exists in each adoptee's story.

CNN anchor Betty Nguyen will present “Humanitarian Work: It Will Change Your Life,” on Wednesday, February 13, from 4-5:30 p.m., in the Grand River room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. Nguyen is the co-founder of Help the Hungry, an organization that strives to alleviate global hunger by providing humanitarian relief to poverty-stricken families. She will take audiences to some of the poorest regions of the world by sharing stories from her humanitarian aid trips.

A performance of the dragon dance, samples of Asian Pacific cuisines, arts and crafts, and cultural entertainment will be featured at the Asian New Year Festival, on Thursday, February 14, from 6-9 p.m. in the Grand River room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale Campus. The highlight of this program is the monologue “Inside the Model Minority,” written by Kennedy Management Resources, Inc., Home of Diversity Theatre. For some immigrants, the dreams of religious freedom, economic prosperity and opportunity have historically attracted them to the United States. For others, it is to escape persecution, war, terrorism and poverty. The journey of Asian Americans in pursuit of the American dream will be told through the monologues.

For individuals requiring special accommodations and/or parking permits, please call the Grand Valley Office of Multicultural Affairs at (616) 331-2177.  For further event information, contact Connie Dang at [email protected].