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

First Lady Yumi Hogan and Over 100 Marylanders
Celebrate Diversity and Legacy

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 100 Marylanders joined Maryland’s First Lady Yumi Hogan to enjoy cultural demonstrations and honor the contributions of Maryland’s Asian and Pacific American communities. Other special guests included Secretary John Wobensmith from the Office of State Secretary and Deputy Secretary Ben Wu from the Maryland Department of Commerce.

“As Maryland’s first Asian American First Lady, and the first Korean American First Lady in the United States, I am pleased to celebrate the culture and heritage of our state’s diverse Asian and Pacific American communities – with the more than 400,000 Asian Pacific Americans who live in Maryland,” said Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan. “We remain committed to addressing the communities’ unique needs and tackling the challenges they face.”

First Lady Yumi Hogan presents a Governor Hogan’s proclamation of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to the Chair of Asian Pacific American Commission and South Asian American Affairs Commission. John C. Wobensmith, the Secretary of State, also presents his proclamation to them.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is observed annually in May, and celebrates the history, culture, arts, and legacy of Asian Pacific Americans in the United States. Yesterday’s celebration featured traditional dance and singing performances, martial arts demonstrations, and poetry readings of Asian Pacific American Marylanders. The celebration also praised dedicated members of the two ethnic commissioners.

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 raise public awareness of the culture, heritage, and history of Asian Pacific Americans, and identify areas in which their communities can serve Maryland.

Please check the celebration video out here.