Dear Friends,
This May marks Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – an important opportunity to celebrate the cultural traditions and considerable impact that Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have made across the country and especially here in the East Bay.
The history of Assembly District 18 cannot be told without the story of Asian immigrants who helped construct the First Transcontinental Railroad in the 1860s - a major accomplishment in American history that helped put Alameda and Oakland on the map. Despite shameful setbacks like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the 1948 forced relocation of Japanese Californians, the AAPI community continued to produce some of the East Bay's most active civic leaders, from Frank H. Ogawa to the late Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan, who actively uplifted children and families through expansions in countywide healthcare and healthy food accessibility.
Today the spirit of the AANHPI community is as impactful as ever, with advocates from around the district engaging in support of environmental justice, immigrants' rights, greater investment in our critical small businesses, and playing a vital role in protecting community health.
Pictured Above: Assemblymember Bonta visiting Oakland Chinatown with the Oakland Chinatown Improvement Council and the Toishan Benevolent Association for Lunar New Year.
In AD-18, Oakland Chinatown kicked off Heritage Month with their AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Street Fair on May 4, but there are still upcoming AANHPI events highlighted in our newsletter. I am proud to represent a community home to more than 92,000 residents of Asian or Pacific descent, and I look forward to sharing the joys of AANHPI Heritage Month with you all.
Yours in Service,
Mia Bonta
Assemblymember, 18th District
In this newsletter, you'll find the following information:
Assemblymember Mia Bonta & staff are committed to keeping AD-18 residents fully engaged and informed. Please send this newsletter to a friend and subscribe!
Stay connected with our office at (510) 286-1670, Email Me, or follow us on social media.
Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Events
Section A: Alameda’s Asian and Pacific Islander Arts & Culture Festival 
Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month with family and friends at Alameda’s beautiful, new Bohol Circle Immigrant Park.
Where: Bohol Circle Immigrant Park, 2901 5th Street, Alameda 94501
When: Saturday, May 20, from 12 – 4 p.m.
Section B: AAPI Heritage Month Celebrations at Children's Fairyland
Participate in an array of cultural activities and traditions from the AAPI diaspora for families at Children’s Fairyland this May.
Enjoy numerous events, including children’s games, book celebrations, art and more.
Where: Children’s Fairyland, 699 Bellevue Ave, Oakland
When: Every weekend in May
Section C: Short Film Documentary Screening at the Oakland Asian Cultural Center
Stop by the Oakland Asian Cultural Center for two short films of Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra performance in 2018, Go For Broke! and Down By The Riverside, featuring Janice Mirikitani and Angela Davis. Following will be a live performance by Anthony Brown’s Asian American Orchestra and Voices Of A Dream.
Where: Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St Ste 290, Oakland
When: Friday, May 17, from 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Section D: Chimaek Festival 2024
Enjoy a celebration dedicated to South Korean fried chicken and beer in Oakland’s Jack London Square featuring arts, crafts, food and apparel.
Where: Dokkaebier, 420 3rd St, Oakland
When: Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Section E: Kamishibai Paper Theater at Oakland Rockridge Library
Families with small children can participate for free to see local performer, Erica, use her paper theater to present stories from various countries. Just like the bicycle-based kamishibaiya who brought stories to parks & street corners in Japan during the 1930s, Erica will serve tasty treats when the stories end.
Where: Rockridge Branch | Oakland Public Library, 5366 College Avenue, Oakland
When: Thursday, May 30, from 1:30 – 2 p.m.
View more information about additional event dates here or call (510) 597-5017.
Section F: AAPI Mental Health & Wellness Jam
Join OACC and PEERS for an AAPI Mental Health and Wellness Jam for a space where Asian American and Pacific Islander communities can access workshops and resources to address the needs of the whole person including mental health and wellness.
Where: Oakland Asian Cultural Center, 388 9th St Ste 290, Oakland, CA 94607
When: Saturday, June 1, from 12 – 4 p.m.
Section G: Oakland First Friday Golf Tournament
Help Oakland’s Koreatown Northgate business district put on future First Friday events by participating in their First Annual Golf Tournament. The tournament includes friendly competition and will go to supporting the vibrant arts, culture, food, music, and community scene in Oakland.
Where: Blue Rock Springs Vallejo, CA
When: Monday, June 24, 2024 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.