Asian American / Asian Research Institute

An AAPI Afternoon: Main Cultural Celebration
2026-05-20 14:15 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | LaGuardia Community College, 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY
The main AAPI Heritage Month celebration will feature student performances showcasing diverse cultural traditions through dance and music. From 2:15–3 p.m. in the Little Theatre, performances will be presented by the Myanmar Students Club, Bangladesh Students Association, Nepali Student Association, and Chinese Students Club. The program will also recognize student contributors to LaGuardia’s Asian American Voices journal.
A moderated discussion with invited elected officials and activists (to be announced) moderated by Hsu Pyae Pyae Moe, SGA Executive Treasurer, and Kenny Lin, VP of Service for Phi Theta Kappa, will take place from 3–4 p.m. in the Little Theater, followed by a Q&A session.
A reception in the Skylight Area next to the Little Theater will follow from 4-5 p.m., featuring cuisines from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Local community organizations will host information tables, offering opportunities for engagement and resource sharing. Students (with valid ID) may enter raffles for $25 Amazon gift cards.

Chewing It Over: Writing & Cooking Towards an Asian-American Diaspora
2026-05-20 17:30 - 18:30 | Mulberry Street Library, 10 Jersey Street, New York, NY, 10012
Four celebrated culinary authors dig into writing about food and culture in the Asian diaspora at Mulberry Street Library.

Selected Shorts: Generation Gap with Wajahat Ali
2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Peter Jay Sharp Theatre, 2535 Broadway, New York
Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Selected Shorts and Asian American Writers’ Workshop join forces to present an evening of Asian American fiction that considers the generational divide. Join us for funny and insightful stories about family, what is passed down, and what gets lost in translation and time. Hosted by Wajahat Ali, with readings by Conrad Ricamora (How to Get Away with Murder) and more!
Take great stories by well-known and emerging writers, add captivating actors of stage and screen, and you have Selected Shorts—unforgettable nights of literature in performance.
Did you know that Selected Shorts is also recorded for national public radio? As an audience member, you will be part of what makes Selected Shorts broadcasts and podcasts so special. And you can listen to your favorite stories again on your local public radio station or on the Selected Shorts podcast. To find out more, visit SelectedShorts.org.
There will not be an intermission at this event. Actors subject to change. Casting and special guests will be announced on our website. Please check back for up-to-date information.
Group discounts are available for groups of fifteen people or more. Please contact the Box Office.
Recent Selected Shorts readers include Ellen Burstyn, Kate Walsh, Bebe Neuwirth, Claire Danes, Michael Shannon, Kyle Maclachlan, LeVar Burton, Jane Curtin, Danielle Brooks, Cynthia Nixon, Rainn Wilson, Holly Hunter, Hugh Dancy, Joan Allen, Josh Radnor, Tony Shalhoub, Maggie Gyllenhaal, BD Wong and more.

Dance - Here NOW So Long
2026-05-21 - 2026-05-23 | New York Live Arts, 219 West 19th Street, New York, NY, 10011
Here NOW So Long is utterly compelling multimedia dance theater work marked by remarkable versatility and choreographic virtuosity of Young Soon Kim. Here NOW So Long explores the turbulence of human emotion through 12 vivid scenes, weaving together panoramic video imagery, a live performance of an original score of guitars and electronics, and the fluid, dramatic movement of WHITE WAVE’s stunning dancers. The work extends and breaks the boundaries of contemporary dance with themes of love, longing, and inner conflict.
The production continues WHITE WAVE’s longstanding collaboration with a team of singularly innovative artists: an original score by Marco Cappelli, visuals by filmmaker Hao Bai, and dramaturgy by James Leverett, former Yale professor. Artistic Director Young Soon Kim creates a movement language that reveres tradition while embracing innovation, reaching into the inner landscapes of imagination, passion, and spirit to generate new expressions of contemporary dance.

Startups in Focus: AI Powering the Way We Live
2026-05-21 11:30 - 19:00 | Citi Headquarters, 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY, 10013
The Korea Society is honored to announce the return of the 2026 Startup Scene annual forum, “Startups in Focus: AI Powering the Way We Live.” This year, the annual forum brings together founders, investors, and technology leaders shaping the next chapter of applied artificial intelligence, examining how AI is transforming the way we live, work, create, and make decisions across sectors.
Featuring thematic panels on AI’s expanding role in human-machine interaction, creative economies, financial infrastructure, and everyday consumer and knowledge tools, “Startups in Focus: AI Powering the Way We Live” will spotlight the US-Korea startup corridor and the builders turning emerging technologies into real-world impact.
This program is exclusively supported by Hanwha Life.
Visit our website for more information on panel speakers and agenda.

2026 Nonprofit Leadership Forum: From Insight to Action
2026-05-21 12:00 - 16:00 | Fraunces Tavern, 54 Pearl Street, New York, NY, 10004, United States
Join us on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the historic Fraunces Tavern for insightful discussions on the issues that matter most to nonprofit leaders. Enjoy lunch while gaining valuable industry insights, then stick around for a networking happy hour to connect with peers, exchange ideas, and celebrate being part of New York City’s vibrant nonprofit community.

Health Equity in Uncertain Times: A Fireside Chat with Maryland Secretary of Health Meena Seshamani
2026-05-21 13:00 - 14:00 | NY
In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month, the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum welcomes Meena Seshamani, Maryland Secretary of Health, for a timely fireside conversation with APIAHF President & CEO Juliet K. Choi.
Drawing from her leadership at both the federal and state levels, Secretary Seshamani will reflect on the evolving healthcare landscape and the challenges facing families and communities today — from healthcare affordability and Medicaid uncertainty to rebuilding confidence in public health and preventive care.
This discussion will highlight the vital role of community-based organizations and trusted messengers in advancing health access and protecting the wellbeing of underserved communities.

Film Screening: In Search of Bengali Harlem
2026-05-21 13:00 - 19:00 | LaGuardia Community College, 31-10 Thomson Avenue, Long Island City, NY
In Search of Bengali Harlem follows filmmaker Alaudin Ullah on a journey from Harlem to Bangladesh as he uncovers his parents’ past and explores the history of South Asian and Muslim American communities in New York City. The film screening will be followed by a Q&A with Ullah, producer and co-director of the film. The 6 p.m. screening is free and open to the public.

The ‘Jin Chao’ effect: What one ‘Devil Wears Prada 2’ character reveals about Asian American power and representation
2026-05-21 15:00 - 16:00 | NY
In this Equity Pulse conversation, Georgia Lee (Committee of 100 member, filmmaker), Jeff Yang (author, cultural critic) and Phil Yu (content creator, editor) will explore how thoughtful advocacy strengthens community influence. They’ll examine what it means to shift from demanding visibility to claiming agency and how Asian Americans can lead these conversations with nuance intact.

AAPI Data/NCAPA - Monthly DNA Forum
2026-05-21 16:00 - 17:00 | NY
We have a timely and thought-provoking discussion planned for this month. NCAPA will share updates on major federal policy developments, including what the recent Louisiana v. Callais decision could mean for electoral access and representation.
We’re also excited to welcome Fajer Saeed Ebrahim, Senior Policy Director at National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum. Fajer will discuss NAPAWF’s new report on abortion access and share important insights into how reproductive justice issues are affecting our communities.

Women Artists, Curators & Activists: A Conversation
2026-05-21 17:00 - 18:30 | Baruch College Mishkin Gallery, 135 East 22nd St, New York, New York, 10010
Please join the Mishkin Gallery at Baruch College for a panel discussion, Women Artists, Curators & Activists: A Conversation. Panelists include artist Zhen Guo, artist and Guerrilla Girls member Christina Schlesinger, artists and curators Susan Grabel and Lori Horowitz, art historian and curator Gail Levin, and moderator Maika Pollack, Executive Director and Chief Curator of Mishkin Gallery.
Presented alongside Changing Cultures: Zhen Guo, A Retrospective (on view til June 12), the conversation asks a simple but difficult question: why are so many women artists recognized only after decades of being overlooked? Bringing together artists, curators, scholars, and activists from different generations, the evening will examine the relationship between feminism, visibility, artistic labor, and historical recognition.

MOCA x Tea Drunk – International Tea Day Celebration
2026-05-21 17:00 - 20:00 | Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street, New York, NY, 10013
Curious about salt and ginger tea from the Tang Dynasty? Interested in sampling teas from across China’s tea-producing regions? Want to compare Chinese and Japanese teas side by side, or experience ultra high-end milk tea crafted from top terroir leaves?

In celebration of International Tea Day, the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) and Tea Drunk invite you to an immersive tea tasting experience. A holiday for tea lovers around the world, this gathering offers a unique opportunity to explore teas from diverse regions and cultures, along with the many ways they are prepared and enjoyed.

Beyond the tastings, the United Nations designated May 21 as International Tea Day to promote sustainable production and consumption of tea and to raise awareness of its role in alleviating hunger and poverty worldwide. Join us in celebrating the rich traditions of tea and its many benefits. This event also offers a chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts while discovering the cultural and wellness practices associated with tea drinking.

Korea On Screen: 'Break the Chain' & 'The Good, the Bad, the Weird'
2026-05-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Korean Cultural Center NY, 122 E 32nd St, New York, NY, 10016
The Korean Cultural Center New York proudly presents this special double feature as part of its Korea on Screen series—a year-long screening series celebrating the depth and diversity of Korean cinema. Through feature films, documentaries, short films, and independent productions, the series aims to broaden access to and appreciation of Korean cinema in New York City.
This special evening pairs Lee Man-hee’s North American Premiere 4K Remaster of Break the Chain (1971) with Kim Jee-woon’s The Good, the Bad, the Weird (2008)—a film that takes direct inspiration from its 1971 predecessor. Together, the two films trace the lineage of Korea’s Manchurian Western tradition, from its golden-era origins to its modern reinvention, offering audiences a rare opportunity to witness the dialogue between a classic and the contemporary masterpiece it inspired.

Heart on Fire, Brain on Ice: Philippine Nonfiction since 2000
2026-05-22 - 2026-05-31 | Museum of the Moving Image, 30-01 35th Avenue, Astoria, NY, 11106
Direct and political in their aims, these documentaries, features and shorts mostly unreleased and unseen in the United States, take a clear-eyed view of the Philippines’ most exploited—landless peasant farmers, urban poor displaced by development, generations of indigenous families affected by toxic waste left behind by U.S. military bases—as well as those among them who are agitated to resist. The filmmakers are often intimately if not directly affected by the repression they capture, and the films are made by and with activists who have integrated with the communities they follow on the ground. Occasionally surreal, sometimes absurd, these films maintain a firm grip on the visceral reality that binds their struggles together.

In Conversation | 江青訪談 (Chiang Ching)
2026-05-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Stavros Niarchos Foundation Library (SNFL), 455 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016
Join the Library as we welcome author, actor, dancer, choreographer and director 江青 (Chiang Ching) for a special conversation in Mandarin. Chiang will talk about her two most recent books in the interview: The Trace, 1963-1970 (印記, 1963-1970) published in 2024, about her 7-year life in Taiwan and Turning Eighty (瞬間八十) published in March 2026, about her close friends in films, modern dance, poetry and science.
This program will be conducted in Mandarin Chinese.

Promoting Mental Health in AANHPI Communities
2026-05-22 17:00 - 19:30 | Asian American / Asian Research Institute, 25 West 43rd Street, Suite 1000, New York, 10036, United States
The Asian American Mentorship Providing Opportunities to Women for Empowerment and Resilience (AAMPOWER) at CUNY invites you to join us at our next workshop in-person workshop and networking session on “Promoting Mental Health in AANHPI Communities.”

Mapping AAPI New York: The Localized History Project Showcase
2026-05-22 18:00 - 21:00 | CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY, 10016
Join the youth researchers of the Asian American / Asian Research Institute’s Localized History Project for a dynamic showcase of history, storytelling, and collectivity.

2026 NYC AAPI 5K Run Fundraiser
2026-05-23 08:30 - 09:30 | Pier 45, Hudson River Greenway, New York, NY, 10014, United States
Get ready to kick off AAPI Heritage Month with an unforgettable event — the AAPI 5K Run! Lace up your sneakers, hit the streets, and join us in celebrating the vibrant Asian American & Pacific Islander community while supporting the incredible work of the Asian American / Asian Research Institute (AAARI), other impactful nonprofit organizations, and AAPI small businesses.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: Historic Chinatown Parks and Monuments
2026-05-23 13:00 - 14:30 | Seward Park Library, 192 East Broadway, New York, NY, 10002
Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with NYC Parks! The Urban Park Rangers will guide you through Chinatown parks, highlighting significant events and commemorations.

Shared Dialogue, Shared Space 2026 - Part 1
2026-05-23 13:00 - 17:00 | Barton Avenue, Murray Hill, Queens
Korea Art Forum (KAF) invites you to the first three of nine public participatory events of the 2026 Shared Dialogue, Shared Space (SDSS) program. SDSS is an ongoing series of outdoor participatory art events held at accessible community hubs in immigrant neighborhoods around New York City. SDSS offers residents and visitors the unique opportunity to engage directly with artists and work with them to develop projects that address issues of language, identity, migration, conflict, and cultural production – key issues that define the experience of New Yorkers. These works culminate in an indoor exhibition and public art installations across New York City.
All three events will take place on Barton Avenue, near Murray Hill Station, on Saturday, May 23, 30, and June 6, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m, and feature Kelly Han, Sohhee Oh, Lucia Warck-Meister, and Mashiyat Zaman. Korea Art Forum and guest curator Ninad Pandit selected these artists through a city-wide open call and artist interviews.

New York Chinese Cultural Center's AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration
2026-05-23 14:00 - 18:00 | Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street, New York, NY, 10013
Join the New York Chinese Cultural Center and MOCA in celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month with a vibrant showcase of dance and music, featuring performances by NYCCC’s resident company and guest artists.

Performing Artists in Conversation: Tisa Chang & Pan Asian Repertory Theatre
2026-05-23 16:30 - 17:30 | Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street, New York, NY, 10013
In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, MOCA continues its commitment as a vital platform for presenting timely and resonant live arts, uplifting Asian American artists working across time-based disciplines, including music, theater, dance, and film.
The Museum of Chinese in America is proud to present Performing Artists in Conversation. This program invites performing artists and companies whose work has shaped and advanced the Asian American performing arts landscape.
Come hear from foundational artists, choreographers and artistic directors who built the Asian American Theater Movement. Our first guest of this ongoing series is Tisa Chang, of the seminal Pan Asian Reperatory Theatre. How did Pan Asian Rep start? What does it take to operate a physical theater? How has the field changed? What is the future of Asian American theater?

Make It 10 Cents! - Community Panel
2026-05-26 16:00 - 18:00 | 127 Walker Street, 127 Walker Street, New York, NY, 10013
Canners are some of the city’s most essential environmental workers – almost single-handedly driving the success of New York’s most effective recycling program. It’s time to give them a raise. The
Bigger Better Bottle Bill is pending legislation that would double the redemption rate from 5 to 10 cents and expand the types of cans and bottles eligible for return.
Local experts discuss why passing this bill matters — and what’s at stake.
Panel is part of artist Siyan Wong’s exhibition “Make It 10 Cents” on view at Welcome to Chinatown, 115 Bowery, until May 19, 2026

Exploring Foundations and Futures: Asian American and Pacific Islander Multimedia Textbook
2026-05-26 16:30 - 18:00 | NY
In partnership with the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, Teach Asian American Stories invites educators to explore Foundations and Futures, a newly launched free and online multimedia textbook that centers Asian American and Pacific Islander histories and perspectives – because our history is your history.

Civil Rights
2026-05-26 19:00 - 21:00 | NY
The incarceration of Japanese Americans during WWII is the most horrific violation of the U.S. Constitution against APIDAs. The incarceration violated almost all of the amendments in the Bill of Rights, as well as a few other Amendments. Almost the entire population of innocent Japanese Americans was incarcerated for over three years simply due to their heritage and ancestry. This workshop shows activities for students to learn how to analyze the Constitution through the lens of historic events, such as the wartime incarceration.

Lucky FM 2
2026-05-27 - 2026-05-31 | The Club, 74A East 4th Street, New York, NY, 10003
Slant returns to The Club to dig deeper and wider into the liminal space between past and present with Lucky FM 2. Through the underground radio’s telethon portal….Slant journeys through AANHPI histories with bamboo flutes, drums, and guitars telling stories of the Japanese-American concentration camps, the International Hotel, Vincent Chin, and today. Performed viscerally through music, dance, and humor, Slant finds unity amidst chaos in a celebration of community.
Slant is the trio ensemble of Rick Ebihara, Wayland Quintero, and Perry Yung. In 1995, Slant premiered Big Dicks, Asian Men followed by other works through the 2000s that featured farcical themes punctuated by outlandish and poignant moments that audiences flocked to see at La MaMa and across the USA.

Celebrating Immigrant-Owned Small Businesses
2026-05-27 15:00 - 16:00 | NY
Join National CAPACD for a virtual panel, Celebrating Immigrant-Owned Small Businesses, bringing together community leaders, advocates, and policymakers to highlight the urgent challenges facing immigrant entrepreneurs and the neighborhoods they sustain. At the virtual kickoff, we will hear from voices on the ground, explore the current federal landscape, and mobilize collective action across the country.

The State of AANHPI Labor: Data and Policy to Empower AANHPI Workers
2026-05-27 15:00 - 16:00 | NY
This webinar will delve into the latest research and data on AANHPI workers, including information on union membership, low-wage work, and more.
Come learn more about the latest findings and find out what NCAPA organizations are doing to ensure that the needs of AANHPI workers are prioritized in the labor movement and other policy sectors.

Science to Solutions: Innovation & the Journey of Yi Cui
2026-05-27 18:00 - 19:00 | China Institute of America, 40 Rector Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY
Join us for a special talk by world-renowned scientist, entrepreneur, and Stanford professor Yi Cui, one of today’s leading innovators in nanotechnology, batteries, and sustainability technologies. Beyond his scientific achievements, Professor Cui’s story is also an inspiring personal journey — from student researcher to internationally recognized scientific leader and entrepreneur. He will share the challenges and defining moments that shaped his path, offering audiences an inspiring look at how resilience and vision can lead to extraordinary success.
A member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and founder of multiple groundbreaking technology companies, Professor Cui has transformed cutting-edge scientific discoveries into real-world solutions with global impact. He will discuss how science and business can work together to address urgent real-world challenges. He will also reflect on collaboration across academia and industry, mentorship of young innovators, and his engagement in AAPI leadership and community initiatives.

MOCA x USA Fencing On the Strip: Chinese Americans in Fencing
2026-05-27 18:30 - 20:00 | Museum of Chinese in America, 215 Centre Street, New York, NY, 10013
For more than three decades, fencing has quietly become one of the most prominent yet undocumented sports within Chinese American communities across the United States. From Flushing to Arcadia, Fort Lee to Northern Virginia, generations of Chinese American families have turned to the sport, building clubs, shaping competitive pathways, and contributing to Team USA at the highest levels of international competition. Yet this remarkable cultural phenomenon remains largely absent from the historical record.
In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month, the Museum of Chinese in America and USA Fencing come together to spotlight this untold story through a dynamic evening of conversation and live demonstration. This event brings together leading Chinese American Olympians Alexander Massialas and Maia Chamberlain, with award-winning journalist Richard Lui serving as moderator, alongside renowned coach Andy Ma, to explore the intersections of sport, identity, and belonging.
Through personal reflections and demonstrations, the program explores how fencing has served as both a competitive pursuit and a cultural touchpoint for many Chinese American families. The conversation also considers what it means to choose belonging through sport, and how discipline, community, and representation shape identity across generations. With Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon and fencing gaining greater visibility on the global stage, this program offers a timely opportunity to begin capturing a living history as it unfolds.
