Northeastern Illinois University proudly observes Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month. Though APIDA Heritage Month is celebrated nationally throughout the month of May, many schools celebrate this month during the month of April due to the academic calendar.
The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs is committed to celebrating the diversity and contributions of APIDA communities to the cultural mosaic of our nation. APIDA Heritage Month also serves as a reminder of the work that remains to address ongoing discrimination and racism faced by people of Asian descent. This year’s national theme is “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience.”
There will be two events that are free and open to the public. The first is a fIlm screening of “The Last Thing Lost” from 3-4 p.m. on April 8. The second is the APIDA Keynote Lecture featuring Laura Kina, which will be held from 5-7 p.m. on April 24. Both events will take place on the Main Campus, 5500 N. St. Louis Ave. in Chicago, in the Pedroso Center, Building B, Room B 159.
Kina is a queer, disabled, mixed-race Okinawan American artist whose work focuses on Asian American art and identity. Kina is a Vincent de Paul Professor in The Art School and an American Studies, Critical Ethnic Studies, Global Asian Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies affiliated faculty member at DePaul University. During her keynote, Kina will discuss her new book, "Word of Mouth" (The University of Arkansas Press, 2025). "Word of Mouth" is an artists' cookbook featuring stories and artwork from twenty-three Asian American and Asian diaspora artists from across the United States, with contributions that range from Los Angeles–based performance artist Kristina Wong’s “Recipe for Political Action” to New Orleans–based painter Francis Wong’s family recipe for stir-fried Szechuan alligator.
NEIU Libraries also has a virtual APIDA Heritage Month book display featuring print and ebooks, special collections, streaming videos and other resources.
Questions about events can be directed to Pedroso Center Program Coordinator Fawn Pochel at f-pochel@neiu.edu.
