Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs Host Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration

Over 70 Marylanders including special guest First Lady Yumi Hogan join to celebrate

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, in partnership with the Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and the Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs, yesterday hosted the annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Month celebration in Annapolis. This year over 70 Marylanders, including special guest First Lady Yumi Hogan, joined to watch cultural demonstrations and honor the contributions Maryland’s Asian and Pacific American communities.

“As Maryland’s first Asian American First Lady, and the first Korean American First Lady in the United States, I am proud to celebrate the culture and heritage of our state’s diverse Asian and Pacific American communities with the over 310,000 Asian Americans living in Maryland,” said First Lady Yumi Hogan. “We remain committed to serving all communities and ensuring that all Marylanders have access to the resources they need to thrive in our state.”

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is observed annually in May, and celebrates the heritage, history, culture, and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Yesterday’s celebration featured performances and presentations showcasing cultures from Asia and the Pacific Islands, as well as a martial arts demonstration and poetry readings.

The Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, and the Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs work together with the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives to connect Marylanders from their respective communities to state resources and to advise Governor Larry Hogan on the needs of their communities. The commissions also work to celebrate the culture, heritage, and history of their respective communities, and identify areas in which their communities can serve Maryland.

First Lady Yumi Hogan presents Governor’s Proclamation declaring May as Asian Pacific American Month in Maryland Pictured: First Lady Yumi Hogan; Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs; Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs; Steve McAdams, Executive Director, Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives; Jimmy Rhee, Special Secretary, Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs; Benjamin Wu, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Commerce; Christina Poy, Administrative Director, Governor’s Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs and Governor’s Commission on South Asian American Affairs