Exploring Identity and Belonging During AANHPI Heritage Month at SACSS

In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month this May, SACSS Program Manager Nushmia Shafique facilitated a meaningful and interactive session with participants of Wednesday for Women, centered on identity, culture, and community. The conversation invited participants to reflect on the importance of honoring the roots, traditions, and diverse heritage of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.

Participants explored a list of more than 50 countries represented within AANHPI communities, gaining a deeper understanding of the rich cultural diversity that exists across Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander identities. The session also highlighted the importance of intentionally recognizing and uplifting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander voices as an integral part of the celebration.

Using world maps as a hands-on activity, participants enthusiastically identified countries connected to their personal heritage and family roots before locating Hawaii together, transforming the session into a lively and engaging experience filled with curiosity, storytelling, and shared discovery. The room was energized with conversation as participants reflected on their own journeys, traditions, and connections to home.

The discussion naturally evolved into meaningful conversations about identity, belonging, and the strength found in community. Participants reflected on how individuals can carry multiple identities, cultures, and homes within themselves; an experience that deeply resonates in a diverse and multicultural city like New York City. The session served as a powerful reminder that diversity is not only something to celebrate, but also a source of unity, empathy, and collective strength.