Kapwa!: A Celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month

Program Type:

Arts & Culture, Community Partner, Equity & Anti-Racism, Multicultural

Age Group:

Preschool, Elementary School, Middle School, High School, Adults, Older Adults
  • Registration is required for this event.
  • Registration will close on May 31, 2025 @ 9:15am.

Event Details

Join us for a Celebration of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month including intergenerational stories, music, appetizers/desserts from Oak Park APIDA restaurants, and kids arts and crafts activities. 

9:15 to 9:45 am: Asian breakfast food, games, arts/crafts, mingling

9:45 -11 am to feature:

  • Band Sona Umbra helping us create a collective song
  • Writer M.G. Bertulfo inspiring us to create homemade books and comics
  • Performances from Oak Park and River Forest High School's Pan-Asian Leadership Society (PALS)
  • Writer Isabel Garcia-Gonzales facilitating a creative writing/artmaking activity
  • Also featuring raffles for APIDA-themed books and giveaways
  • Attendees are encouraged to bring their own reusable tableware (plate, cup, utensils) for sustainability, although we will also have eco-friendly tableware available.

This event is brought to you in partnership with the Village of Oak Park. 

 

*Definitions of Kapwa: 

“Shared identity. Us-ness. Shared humanity.” - Carl Lorenz Cervantes

“We are all one. The other person is also yourself. Connectedness.” - Professor Jun De Leon

Please note: The month of May is recognized as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Illinois. Other organizations also honor this month as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, and Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Month.

Register for this event