Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May 01, 2026

AANHPI Heritage Month graphic designed by student Alex Mercado featuring colorful patterned letters, waves, cherry blossoms, and a lamp icon above Riverside City College.

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, a time when Riverside City College celebrates the rich histories, vibrant cultures, and lasting contributions of AANHPI communities.

AANHPI Heritage Month is not only a celebration of culture and tradition, but also an opportunity to uplift stories, explore identity, and recognize the voices shaping our campus and our communities today. We invite students, faculty, and classified professionals to participate in this year’s events as we honor heritage, share knowledge, and build community together.

2026 Events

May 12	LitChella Author Panel Quad Courtyard 1–2:30 pm Featuring Justinian Huang, Suzanne Park, Tracy Badua, and Reema Zaman, this engaging panel brings together celebrated authors to share their journeys, storytelling inspirations, and perspectives on identity and representation. Following the panel, APSU (Asian and Pacific Student Union) will be hosting a mixer & book signings with the author in Quad 103 from 2:30 - 3pm.
May 19	API Food & Film Fest Location TBD 1–3 pm Hosted by the LHSS Club, this event invites participants to explore culture through film and food inspired by Asian and Pacific Islander traditions.
May 19	Asian Snack Corner Quad Courtyard 2:30–3:30 pm Take a study break and enjoy free popular Asian snacks and treats provided by APSU & ASRCC.
May 22	Q&A with Voice Actor Paul Dateh Digital Library (DL 121) 2:30–3:30 pm Join APSU and voice actor and performer Paul Dateh as he shares his creative journey and experiences in the entertainment industry.
May 26	Chinese Harp Demonstration Quad 103 2:30–3:30 pm APSU presents the beauty of traditional Chinese music through a live harp demonstration highlighting cultural artistry and musical tradition.
May 28	Polynesian Luau Quad Courtyard 1:50–2:50 pm Hosted by ASRCC and Student Life & Leadership, this vibrant event celebrates Polynesian culture through music, dance, and community connection. Free Hawaiian bbq lunch for students with ID while supplies last.

Event Partners

AANHPI Heritage Month at RCC is made possible through the support and collaboration of ASRCC, the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and the Asian Pacific Student Union. These groups help fund, organize, and support the events and programs featured throughout the month.

Featured Tiger Doodles Artist

This year, RCC students participated in the Tiger Doodles initiative, reimagining the RCC Lamp of Learning logo through cultural storytelling and artistic expression. The artwork featured at the top of this page was created by:

Alex Mercado
Studio Art Major (Illustration)
3rd Year Student

Alex draws inspiration from Golden Age Disney animation, including Tangled and the animated film Wolfwalkers, with a focus on expressive movement and storytelling through visual design. Their artistic goal is to create work that tells a story while capturing meaningful moments in time.

This year’s Tiger Doodle celebrates the diversity within AANHPI cultures through symbolic design elements representing:

Filipino traditional tattoo and pattern designs
Indonesian Batik textiles
Japanese traditional motifs ("N" representing Nihon, the Japanese word for Japan)
Hawaiian cultural patterns
Chinese artistic traditions
Indian cultural representation

Alex shared that the inspiration behind this piece came from a desire to spotlight cultures that are sometimes overlooked and to celebrate the full diversity represented within AANHPI communities.

Hero Artwork Credit:
AANHPI Heritage Month Tiger Doodle created by Alex Mercado, Studio Art (Illustration), Riverside City College.