Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Awareness Month
Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Awareness Month (APIDAAM), previously known as Asian American Awareness Month (AAAM) celebrates this title change to create an inclusive awareness month focused on all Asian-identifying and Pacific Islander-identifying communities.
For Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Awareness Month 2024, the student planning committee selected the theme of "Flowing Together: Facing the Current by Forging Unity Across Cultures". In continuation with the theme from the previous year, we pay tribute to the past while welcoming the changes that the future will bring. Despite the racial and socioeconomic injustices that our community experiences, we continue to persevere and demonstrate courage by standing together in the face of adversity.
It is now necessary to acknowledge the connections between our wide range of cultures and work together to navigate the waves of change. Like the eternal flame of the Phoenix, our group spirit inspires us to use our voices, skills, and strength to embody the power inside. We use this force to conquer any difficulty, whether it is by fighting issues within our communities, sharing our traditions with the world, or joyfully honoring our cultural heritage on a daily basis. Together, we continue to move as one, unaffected by the tidal waves of adversity.
Join us at these events! Heading link
History of Asian American Awareness Month at UIC Heading link
The first Asian American Awareness Week at UIC was organized by the Coalition for Asian American Studies in March 2000. They also held a protest and rally to lobby for an Asian American Studies program, a cultural center, and an academic support network.
In March 2001, the Coalition for Asian American Studies expanded the event into Asian American Awareness Month.
For Asian American Awareness Month in 2003, members of the Chancellor’s Committee on the Status of Asian Americans joined the planning committee. Events spanned the months of March and April.
For AAAM in 2003 and 2004, the Chancellor’s Committee was the host organization for the planning committee. In 2005, that role was passed to the Asian American Resource & Cultural Center. The Planning Committee is comprised of students representing different student organizations as well as engaged individuals. AARCC’s role in this planning continues to be student-centered and AARCC staff member supports by having meeting space and keeping students on deadline.
As of 2018, the planning of Asian American Awareness Month is coordinated by the UIC Center for Student Involvement with support from AARCC. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact UIC Center for Student Involvement studentinvolvement@uic.edu or call 312-312-413-5070.
