Join the Chatham Community Library and the Chatham 250 celebration in a virtual commemoration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPI). This virtual event is part of the Chatham 250 lecture series chronicling the histories of communities of color in Chatham County.  Moderated by Anna-Rhesa Versola Kallam, Managing Editor of Chatham Magazine, it will be held on Friday, May 28, 2021 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. and will feature a live panel discussion on AAPI history.

Panelists include Ya Liu, the Town of Cary’s first Asian American council member, Steve Rao, At-Large Council Member for the Town of Morrisville, Ed Binanay, President of Asian Pacific Islander Outreach, and Sean Nguyen, co-founder of the UNC Asian American Center

The panel will examine such questions as why we honor AAPI Heritage and what are considered to be the  most significant events in U.S. history that shaped the AAPI experience, among others.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month originated in 1977 when Congress introduced a resolution to proclaim the first ten days of May as Pacific/Asian American Heritage Week. It was expanded to a month-long observance in 1990.  In 1992, Congress designated May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture and achievements of the United States.

This event is free and open to the public.

Registration for this program is required and is available at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/ChathamAAPI