Richmond, CA: At a time when anti-immigration rhetoric echoes at a national scale, showing up for one another not only brings our shared struggles into light, but also reminds us that our greatest strength is in solidarity, unity, and embracing our unique and diverse cultures and identities.
Join the Service and Access For Everyone (SAFE) Center, Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, City of Richmond, other elected city and regional leaders, and community organizations including Community Health for Asian Americans (CHAA), Center for Empowering Refugees & Immigrants (CERI) and the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in attending the SAFE Center’s first ever APPI community celebration in honor of AAPI heritage month. The event brings together community members for a day of unity, culture, joy and fun.
“Many of our APPI neighbors and co-workers have experienced and are experiencing isolation, invisibility, and being “othered”. It is important that we acknowledge these realities,” said Susan Kim, Executive Director of the SAFE Center. “But that is not the whole story. We also share joy—the joy of our languages, our food, our music and dance, our families, and the cultural traditions we carry forward. Joy is not small; it is a form of resistance. It is how we affirm our presence and our humanity. And culture is power.”
“We celebrate these heritage months to honor our identifies and strengthen our solidarity against the structural injustices that still divide us,” said Soheila Bana, councilmember of District 4 of the City of Richmond. “By rejecting the rhetoric of “othering” and embracing our mutual destiny we take one step closer to actualizing Dr. King’s dream of true equity and respect for all.”
“We are fortunate to have so many vibrant and dynamic cultures in Contra Costa County. We value this diversity and strongly support our hardworking immigrant families, who make our community stronger and more resilient,” said Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia. “This historic celebration honors and recognizes our Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander community as a vital part of our social fabric as a thriving county.”
The AAPI community celebration is packed with activities, performances and experiences for community members of all ages to enjoy. Some highlights include:
- Taiko Drum Opening Performance
- Cultural Dance Performances
- Learning Sessions on AAPI Contributions to American Culture and Contra Costa
- Resource Fair
- Fashion Show
Details:
May 2 from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
325 Civic Center Plz, Richmond, CA 94804-1659, United States
Event will include:
- Cultural Performances
- Art Exhibits
- Resource Fair
- Karaoke
- Talent Show
- And many more…
- Safe Center
- City of Richmond
- Supervisor John Gioia
- Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants
- Community Health for Asian Americans
- Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice
For more information: www.oursafecenter.org
