A photo of people at 91Porn celebrating the Asian American Pacific Islander and Proud events in 2024.

Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month 2025

91Porn proudly celebrates Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Heritage Month. Though this month is celebrated nationally throughout the month of May, many schools celebrate this month during the month of April due to the academic calendar. The Angelina Pedroso Center for Diversity and Intercultural Affairs is committed to celebrating the diversity and contributions of APIDA communities to the cultural mosaic of our nation. APIDA Heritage Month also serves as a reminder of the work that remains to address ongoing discrimination and racism faced by people of Asian descent. This year’s national theme is “.”&Բ;

Please note: 

  • Events marked with events marked with an asterisk (*) denotes that the event is free and open to the public. All other events are open to NEIU students and employees only.
  • For disability accommodations for events, please contact Student Disability Services at least 48 hours in advance of the event.
  • Unless otherwise noted, the contact for events is Pedroso Center Program Coordinator Fawn Pochel, f-pochel@neiu.edu. 

Events

Film Screening: "The Last thing lost"*

Tuesday, April 8
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Pedroso Center, Room B 159

Sarith Ou's narrow escape from the Khmer Rouge genocide took him on an improbable journey to small-town Wisconsin. Safe in America, his past still haunted him. With his new friend Roger, a Vietnam veteran turned psychologist, they set out to bring hope to rural Cambodia, while healing their own decades-old wounds. (Film description via .)

APIDA & Proud Banquet

Thursday, April 10 
3:00-6:30 p.m.
Alumni Hall
Contact: Northeastern Programming Board, npb@neiu.edu

Join the Northeastern Programming Board for a night of food, games, karaoke and performances. 

Field trip: Explore Asian Culture in Chicago

Friday, April 18 
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. 
Meet at 11:00 a.m. at the , 2831 W. Lawrence Ave. in Chicago. 

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the start of the Khmer Roguge genocide, which took place from April 17, 1975 to January 7, 1979. Please join us as we visit the National Cambodian Heritage Museum and Killing Fields Memorial. After our visit we will walk to a local Asian eatery for a sit down lunch. Street parking is limited. Use of public transportation is encouraged.


Photo by: Midori Aronson, 2024

APIDA Month KEYnote Lecture: LAURA Kina*

Thursday, April 24 
5:00-7:00 p.m.
Pedroso Center, Room B 159

is a queer, disabled, mixed-race Okinawan American artist whose work focuses on Asian American art and Identity. Kina is a Vincent de Paul Professor in The Art School and an American Studies, Critical Ethnic Studies, Global Asian Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies affiliated faculty member at . During her keynote, Kina will discuss her new book, "" (The University of Arkansas Press, 2025). "Word of Mouth" is an artists' cookbook featuring stories and artwork from twenty-three Asian American and Asian diaspora artists from across the United States, with contributions that range from Los Angeles–based performance artist Kristina Wong’s “Recipe for Political Action” to New Orleans–based painter Francis Wong’s family recipe for stir-fried Szechuan alligator.

Gong fu Style Brewing workshop

Wednesday, April 30 
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Pedroso Center, Room B 159
Please note: This event is only for current NEIU students. 

Gong fu is a traditional Chinese method of tea preparation. Join us to learn how to skillfully brew a great cup of tea!