PHILADELPHIA — On Thursday, May 25, in recognition of Asian-American Pacific Islands (AAPI) Heritage Month, the City of Philadelphia hosted Back to basicsa celebration honoring the many contributions made by our community of Asian Americans, Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) and a tribute to the cultures and rich heritages that have shaped their identities and lived experiences.
“Over the past 10 years, more than 39 percent of Philadelphia’s growth was due to our AANHPI communities,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Back to Roots is an opportunity to hear from some of the community members who are part of this growth and who have worked and continue to work hard to advance both their cultural heritage and their dreams of economic opportunity. That’s just one of the many reasons why Philadelphia prides itself on being a welcoming city.
Today’s celebratory event is a collaborative program sponsored by multiple City agencies and advisory groups, including the Mayor’s Commission on Asian-Pacific American Affairs, the Office of Immigration Affairs, the Mayor’s Office of Public Engagementand that of the city Commerce Department. It involved cultural performances, food and a dedicated panel of up-and-coming entrepreneurs who have all launched new ventures over the past five years, including:
Each panelist shared their journey and discussed entrepreneurship as a way to celebrate cultural heritage.
“The Office of Immigrant Affairs is committed to valuing the stories and experiences of immigrant communities,” said Amy Eusebio, Executive Director of the Office of Immigration Affairs. “This year’s focus on entrepreneurship as a tool for preserving and celebrating culture is an exciting area for the city and the community to explore. We hope that all participants will recognize the significant contributions of the AANHPI community and how they enrich our economy and our cultural fabric.
Philadelphia’s AANHPI residents make up 8 percent of the city’s population and 11 percent of small business owners.
“The Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement is dedicated to ensuring that the voice of the community is heard at all levels of local government, and to that end, we are delighted to support this week’s event featuring stories and experiences of our Asian, Hawaiian and Pacific Americans. Island residents,” said Romana Lee-Akiyama, Executive Director, Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement. “Each time we make room at the table to include diverse communities, we strengthen our democracy and our city. Philadelphia’s future looks bright when we rely on the gifts, talents, and contributions of our residents, including our AANHPI communities.
“The Department of Commerce is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs plan, start and grow in Philadelphia while honoring the multicultural roots that intertwine and grow our economy. Our business service managers, who speak many languages including Khmer, Vietnamese and Chinese, are here to help them, share resources and meet their needs,” said Anne Nadol, director of the trade department. “The multifaceted stories, talents and skills of immigrant entrepreneurs, including Asian Americans, Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, help make our city a world-class destination. The Back to the Roots event celebrates the dynamic cultural, social and economic impacts that enhance our city every day.
“I am so excited and honored to have participated in the Back to Roots event celebrating AAPI Heritage Month,” said Raquel Villanueva Dang, owner of Baby’s Filipino Kitchen + Market. “Rediscovering and honoring my heritage through entrepreneurship and as a first-generation Filipino-American has been both empowering and empowering.”
The U.S. Congress established the month of May as American-Asia Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 1992 to highlight the stories of people in the United States of Asian or Pacific Islander descent and to honor the completion of the transcontinental railroad, which was built thanks to the majority of Chinese immigrant workers as well as the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the shores of the United States. The month-long celebration honors the heritage and stories of the peoples of mainland Asia and the South Pacific islands, including Hawaii, American Samoa, Federated Islands of Micronesia, Guam and more.