Where to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the Inland Empire

Each May, the country honors Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, recognizing the growth and accomplishments of these varied neighborhoods.

The recognition began as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week in 1977, with May selected since it was the month when the first Japanese immigrants came to the U.S. in 1843, and when the transcontinental railway was finished thanks to Chinese immigrant labor in May 1869.

Asian Pacific communities "throughout history, represent the larger story of who we are as Americans and embodied the truth that our diversity is our strength as a country," President Joe Biden said in a current proclamation. Biden denounced anti-Asian hate crimes, bigotry and violent attacks - - pointing out the recent mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay - - and promoted legislation and programs that support safety, equity and financial chance.

Asian Americans are now the Inland Empire's fastest-growing significant ethnic group over the past decade, recently passing African Americans to end up being the region's third-largest ethnic culture after White and Hispanic residents, according to the 2020 census.

From cultural celebrations to community panels, here are some events across the region that will celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander neighborhood.

Entertainers with the San Gabriel Valley Chinese Cultural Association perform the dragon dance during the Menifee Multicultural Festival on Saturday, March 26, 2022. (File picture by Andrew Foulk, Contributing Photographer).

RIVERSIDE COUNTY

Thursday, May 11: Community Conversations: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Corona City Hall, 400 S. Vicentia Ave., 6 p.m. The free panel occasion will discussing the neighborhood's variety and contributions.

Information and registration: Click here.

A library display will be in front of the Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library all month. Details: temeculaca.gov/ redi.

Saturday, May 20: HOPE Festival: Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, Ysmael Villegas Community Center, 3091 Esperanza St., Riverside. At 1 p.m., the Asian American Task Force of Riverside University Health System-Behavioral Health will host a celebration with crafts, games, entertainment and light drinks. Registration is required by Tuesday, May 16. Info and bookings: bit.ly/ hope2023rsvp; aatf.riverside@gmail.com.

Tuesday, May 30: Stop AAPI Hate: Perspectives, UC Riverside, 900 University Ave., 3 p.m. Panelists will discuss existing and historical problems surrounding anti-Asian hate and their experiences. The totally free discussion will consist of scholastic specialists and Olympic athlete Sakura Kokumai, a senior member of the USA National Karate Federation team.

Info and ticket details: Click here or email yokintern@outlook.com.

With a screen behind her showing why individuals don't act, Florence Lin, neighborhood relations supervisor for the Asian Youth Center, teaches a spectator intervention training in Mandarin on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the Blossom Market Hall in San Gabriel. (File image by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG).

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY

Thursday, May 11: Stop the Hate Luncheon, Cal State San Bernardino Santos Manuel Student Union, 11:30 a.m. Students and the neighborhood is welcomed to a luncheon to go over racially-motivated hate criminal activities and how to avoid them.

Details: PrecinctReporter.com.

Friday, May 19: "Lights, Camera, AAPI Month!," Westwind Community Center, 2455 E. Riverside Drive, Ontario, 6 p.m. The occasion will include dinner, a live hula performance, and a totally free screening of Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon." Space is restricted. Register online at Ontarioca.gov/ registration or call 909-395-2506.

All month: San Bernardino Valley College will commemorate with virtual and in-person occasions, from guest speakers on Zoom to movie screenings and discussions. Zoom event registration: bit.ly/ sbccd-apihm23.
Throughout May, in-person and virtual onlooker intervention training sessions are used through Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California in multiple languages. The complimentary trainings teach how to securely stop occurrences of hatred from occurring or escalating.

Info, dates and registration: www.ajsocal.org/bystander-intervention-trainings/.