Largo, Maryland – The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) celebrates Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage with a series of special events for all ages this May. Programs include dual language and APA heritage storytimes for children, a performance by the Washington Toho Koto Society, literature discussions, crafternoon events, and film screenings.

The keynote event features Prince George’s County Council Member Wanika Fisher (District 2) and Cheverly City Council Member Amy Jean Chung Fry (Ward 6) who will discuss “Asian Pacific American Political Identities in Prince George’s County” at the Hyattsville Branch Library on Wednesday, May 10 at 6:30 pm. Council Member Fisher’s election in 2022 was a historic occasion in local government, marking the first time an individual of South Asian heritage would serve on the Prince George’s County Council. Her mother’s family is from India (by way of South Africa) and her father is Yoruba Nigerian. Council Member Chung Fry is Co-Founder and President of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Democratic Club of Prince George’s County, and she is a second-generation Korean American. 

The APA Heritage Month series also includes special virtual events in collaboration with partner organizations the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art, Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights (PGCOHR), and the University of Maryland Center for Literary and Comparative Studies. On May 18 at 6 pm, the National Museum of Asian Art presents an online tour of Iranian post-revolutionary women’s photography from their collections. Attendees will discover nuanced and compelling stories of Iran through the contemporary lenses of Hengameh Golestan, Newsha Tavakolian, Shadi Ghadirian, Malekeh Nayiny, Gohar Dashti, and Mitra Tabrizian. On May 22 at 7 pm, PGCOHR convenes a celebration of Asian American women in business. The Library, PGCOHR, and the University of Maryland Center for Literary and Comparative Studies host the final Prince George’s County Reads discussion event on Rabia Chaudry’s “Fatty Fatty Boom Boom” on May 25 at 7 pm.

Prince George’s County is home to a thriving community of Asian Pacific Americans, including over 40,000 Asian Americans, 2,000 Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (2020 U.S. Census), and a large Filipino community. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month has been recognized nationally since 1990, with official week-long celebrations dating back to 1979. The month recognizes and celebrates the diverse Asian and Pacific Islander cultures present in the United States, including cultures from the Asian continent and Native and Indigenous peoples of the Pacific islands.

The Library’s Asian Pacific American Heritage Hub highlights videos, documentaries, music playlists, online exhibits, and recommended reads (for all ages) that can help Prince Georgians develop a deeper understanding of the Asian Pacific American diasporas in the United States. Visit pgcmls.info/asian-pacific-american-heritage to learn more.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Events

• Saturday, May 6, 12-1 pm - Hula Performance and Dance Class (Bowie) - All ages
  
• Tuesday, May 9, 6:30-7:30 pm - Japanese Koto Recital with the Washington Toho Koto Society (Largo-Kettering) - Adults
  
• Wednesday, May 10, 6:30-7:30 pm - Asian Pacific American Political Identities in Prince George’s County (Hyattsville) - Adults, Teens
  
• Thursday, May 11, 2-5 pm - Film Screening & Discussion: “Everything Everywhere All at Once” - Rated R (Beltsville) - Adults
  
• Tuesday, May 16, 6-7 pm - Craft and Create: Sip and Paint (Accokeek) - Adults
  
• Tuesday, May 16, 6:30-8 pm - Book Discussion: “My Life: Growing Up Asian in America” edited by Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (Virtual) - Adults
  
• Wednesday, May 17, 4-5 pm - Crafternoon: Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage (Glenarden) - Ages 5-12
  
• Thursday, May 18, 10-10:30 am - Asian Pacific American Heritage Ready 2 Read Storytime (David C. Harrington Community Park, Bladensburg) - Ages 3-5
  
• Thursday, May 18, 10:30-11:30 am - Ready 2 Read STEM: Passport Through Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (Largo-Kettering) - Ages 0-5
  
• Thursday, May 18, 6-7 pm - My Iran: Six Women Photographers (Virtual) - Adults, Teens
  
  • Co-presented with the National Museum of Asian Art
    
• Monday, May 22, 7-8 pm - Celebrating Asian American Women in Business (Virtual) - Adults 
  
  • Co-presented with Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights
    
• Thursday, May 25, 7-8 pm - Prince George’s County Reads Virtual Discussion: “Fatty Fatty Boom Boom” by Rabia Chaudry (Virtual) - Adults, Teens
  
• Saturday, May 27, 3-3:30 pm - Dual Language Ready 2 Read Storytime (New Carrollton) - Ages 3-5
  
• Tuesday, May 30, 5-6:30 pm - Family Movie Night: “Moana” - Rated PG (Glenarden) - All Ages

Request ADA accommodations at least 72 hours in advance by contacting Ask a Librarian at (240) 455-5451 or askalibrarian@pgcmls.info. Registration is required or recommended for select events. Visit pgcmls.info/events for more information.

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About the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System

The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) helps customers discover and define opportunities that shape their lives. The Library serves the 967,000+ residents of Prince George’s County, Maryland through 19 branch libraries, a 24/7 online library, the County Correctional Center Library, and pop-up services throughout the community. PGCMLS is a responsive and trusted community-driven organization. Programs, services, and outreach activities serve book lovers, immigrants and refugees, job seekers, children, young professionals, seniors, and families alike. PGCMLS is the recipient of two Top Innovator Awards from the Urban Libraries Council (2023 - Democracy; 2021 - Workforce and Economic Development). Learn more at pgcmls.info/about-us.