USC’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month inauguration celebrates ‘Strength Through Community’

Jessica Sheng, a member of the USC Kung Fu club, experienced both anxiety and exhilaration while executing a sequence of precisely choreographed moves on a platform in Founders Park at the University Park Campus.

The Chinese martial arts display, a highlight of the inaugural USC Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month event on Wednesday, proceeded with meticulous execution — captivating the audience.

“This was my inaugural performance, and for me, it felt like a significant milestone,” the breathless sophomore from the USC Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young Academy announced after the show that also highlighted five other club members in various acts. “I appreciated being a contributor to the celebration of my heritage.”

The lunchtime celebration also included performances by the K-pop tribute band Band Kori, the USC Traditional Chinese Dance club, and hula dancers from USC’s Hawaiʻi Club.

Addressing the event’s theme of “Strength Through Community,” USC Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Andrew T. Guzman indicated that whether characterized by family, ancestry, history, or a select university, communities are “fundamental to our identity, our experiences in the world, our prosperity, and our accomplishments.”

“All of this truly warrants celebration,” Guzman remarked.

At USC, 24% of the undergraduate population and over 16% of its graduate and professional cohorts identify as AAPI.

“We originate from diverse cultures and histories, hence gatherings like this provide us the opportunity to acknowledge one another, gain insights into one another, and learn about vastly different cultures.

“`in our varied communities,” stated the event’s principal speaker, USC Board of Trustees member John Iino, addressing over 400 participants.

AAPI Heritage Month was officially recognized by the federal government in 1992 to acknowledge the significant contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and accomplishments of the United States.

It is commemorated nationwide in May. However, at USC, the festivities occur throughout April while students remain on campus.

Honoring remarkable Trojans

Iino recognized exceptional Trojans of AAPI heritage, including acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu, who recently directed the films Wicked and Crazy Rich Asians. Chu is set to be the keynote speaker for USC’s commencement in May.

He also mentioned Trojans such as William Wang, CEO of Vizeo; Hilda Heine, President of the Republic of the Marshall Islands; U.S. Congresswoman Young Kim; USC Senior Vice President of Research and Innovation Ishwar K. Puri; and Beong-Soo Kim, the university’s senior vice president and general counsel, who will assume the role of USC’s interim president on July 1.

Iino commended USC President Carol Folt for advocating the granting of posthumous degrees in 2022 to Nisei Trojans, the Japanese American students who were incarcerated in detention camps following the United States’ entry into World War II. That same year, Folt also sanctioned the establishment of a rock garden on campus to commemorate the Nisei students.

“These exemplify what we strive to honor during AAPI Heritage Month,” Iino remarked.

The other distinguished speaker at the event, Professor Megan Chao from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, addressed the resilience and strength of the AAPI community.

She expressed that their AAPI journey consists of numerous stories interwoven by a common spirit. From this, Chao articulated that “strength through tradition, through allyship, and through community” has developed.

Chao noted that AAPI students, staff, and faculty at USC have thrived in creating support networks and fostering a sense of belonging.

“These networks are not merely important; they are essential,” she stated. “They form a foundation of resilience that empowers our community to navigate the challenges of academics, personal struggles, and at times, the harsh realities beyond these campus boundaries.”

Trojans enjoy the festivities — and delicious cuisine

Participants were treated to a variety of dishes such as spam musubi, spicy tuna and spicy kelp onigiri, butter paneer biryani, Thai iced tea, along with Filipino desserts like buko pandan and turon.

“The Thai tea tasted amazing on a warm day like this,” remarked freshman Ashlyn Yamano from the USC Marshall School of Business. “It’s truly wonderful to witness all these individuals coming together to celebrate and to see the various communities present within this vast USC community.”

Freshman Julien Charupakorn from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences noted he arrived at the event feeling the weight of national and global issues.

“In an era filled with political ambiguity … recognizing that we have organizations like these on campus is incredibly comforting,” he said. “People from my background are being acknowledged, and we are uplifting one another.”