Portland Center Stage released a statement today from Stacey Caldwell Roberts, incoming board chair; Cynthia Fuhrman, managing director, and Marissa Wolf, artistic director:
10 DC-Area Asian Americans Discuss Why Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month This Year Is So Important washingtonian.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from washingtonian.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
A man who was attacked inside his own D.C. establishment last year is talking about his experience and sharing his views about why it’s vital for businesses like his to exist in American society.
Yunhan Zhang, who runs Valley Brook Tea near Dupont Circle, joined the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) to mark Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
“I hope everyone can just come here and enjoy what we offer, be friends and be nice to each other,” Zhang said during the event outside his shop on P Street Northwest.
Back in November 2020, a man walked into Zhang’s shop cursing and yelling about COVID-19.
Last November, a man walked through the shop’s doors and began to yell about COVID-19. The man then pepper-sprayed Zhang, who said he was in pain for hours afterward.
“I’m grateful it wasn’t anything more serious, it was only pepper spray … When I was watching the video, I just realized how lucky I was,” Zhang said.
How to Help
The attack was yet another obstacle in an already difficult year for Zhang, whose shop hardly gets foot traffic anymore.
“Our goal so far is just trying to survive,” Zhang said.
D.C. government leaders visited Zhang in his shop on Friday. They’ve helped him apply for grants throughout the pandemic and say they believe it’s important to support Asian-owned businesses.
12 Ways to Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Around DC
Food talks, concerts, films, and more. Share
Explore the history of DC s Chinatown and hear more about similar cultural hubs across the country. Photo by Flickr user allison b216.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a celebration that is particularly significant this year amidst the increase in anti-Asian hate crimes across the country. This month, hear from local leaders about their work against racism, explore a pop-up market, tune into food talks, and more.
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Culinasia is a new talk series about food, culture, and chefs within the Asian diaspora. On May 5, tune into “Saving Chinatown and Our Legacies” to hear a panel including food writer Grace Young, San Francisco chef Brandow Jew, and New York-based grassroots leaders Jennifer Tam and Victoria Lee discuss the history of Chinatowns throughout the US, as well as what the future holds for these crucial