ASIAN AVENUE - PRESIDENT’S NOTE
Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine
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Let us come together this Pride to honor the courage it takes to live authentically at the intersection of being AANHPI and queer. Let us celebrate the beauty in both. Happy Pride, my friends!
As we move from Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month into Pride Month, we’re honored to continue celebrating the voices and stories that reflect the richness, resilience, and diversity of our communities. This month, we shine a spotlight on AANHPI queer community members in Colorado who courageously share how they celebrate Pride, and how they have come to love their intersecting identities. Their stories are filled with authenticity, strength, and joy — a reminder that our community is strongest when we embrace and uplift every part of who we are.
We also look back on a powerful close to AANHPI Heritage Month, which included a proclamation by Governor Jared Polis and a vibrant celebration at the Denver Center for Performing Arts, where Mayor Mike Johnston joined in full support. From cultural performances to heartfelt speeches, these events reaffirmed that representation and recognition matter. We also held the 16th annual Asian American Hero of Colorado Awards ceremony on May 18. Whether through activism, leadership, or quiet acts of perseverance, this year’s influential honorees remind us that history is still being written — and we all have a role in shaping it.
Finally, we’re excited to introduce Mike Fogg, a local Filipino American creative whose insight and openness moved us during a recent panel on imposter syndrome. Mike shares why claiming space as an adoptee, artist, and Asian American matters. We hope his story, and those of everyone featured this month, leave you feeling seen, empowered, and connected. This month, let us recommit to building a Colorado where our AANHPI community can thrive.
Ways to Support Social Fabric
• Reserve offices (175-205 sq feet) or shared desks monthly, weekly, or daily, which include a mailing address, utilities, internet, and other benefits
• Check out books from the community library featuring AANHPI books and authors, and join a book club
• Sign up for wellness activities (tai chi, yoga, martial arts), or ride bicycles that help power the building
• Join as a member to enjoy access to solo pods (for meetings/calls) and conference rooms, discounts to local restaurants/vendors, discounted Social Fabric events and space rentals, and giveaways ($50/month)
• Book event space for gatherings of all sizes such as meetings, conferences, and markets/festivals
Social Fabric Hub is operated by Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN), a 501c3 organization that serves Colorado’s AANHPI communities.
We could use support with funding for our renovation costs, donations (furniture, books, supplies, etc.), and getting the word out about the hub! Volunteers are also needed!
Learn
or
JENEVERRE SCHULTZ
ZHAO
LANGEVIN
on the cover
Happy Pride Month! Asian Avenue uplifts the voices of local AANHPI LGBTQ+ individuals including Kani Dang (front).
Photo Credit: Julius Garrido / Studio Mod
Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 1932-1449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine
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Asian Avenue magazine is in association with the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.
8 MUSIC: Jade Oracle, led by Coy Lim, announces Solstice Show 9 RISING STAR: Hyojae Lee graduates from Smoky Hill High School as a Boettcher Scholar 10 SPOTLIGHT: Filipino American creative Mike Fogg shares about his identity as an adoptee
12
16 FEATURE: Denver’s Cherry Blossom Festival returns to Sakura Square with Japanese culture and food on June 21-22
18 ON SCENE: City of Denver ends AANHPI Heritage Month with large celebration
19 ON SCENE: Governor Jared Polis presents proclamation of AANHPI Heritage Month to local community leaders
20 ON SCENE: 16th annual Asian American Hero of Colorado awards ceremony 23 LEGAL COLUMN: What You Need to Know Before You Buy a Business 4
COVER STORY: Celebrating Pride Month means something different for AANHPI LGBTQ+ community members
Neo-soul Jade Oracle announces Solstice Show on Saturday, June 21
Photo credit: Willym Brown @StrawberryHive
Jade Oracle invites you to celebrate the longest day of the year with an extravagant Solstice and Single Release celebration at Dazzle!
They will be releasing their first single “Make Time for Space” from their upcoming EP: Veiled Shadows
The single is a genre and time-bending neo-soul tune with wonky grooves and lush harmony; and its relatable message about Coy’s personal journey to find space to heal, and react with wisdom to triggers after trauma, is an oddly infectious and danceable balm for the soul in such a heated time for the world.
Veiled Shadows, the EP contains hypnotically mathematical rhythms, unique synthesizer sounds, signature
rich harmonies and showstopping soprano vocals.
The lyrics, which cover topics such as social justice, Queer Asian-American identity, and the divine feminine as a valuable tool to heal the damage of colonialism, ushers in a new energetic era for Jade Oracle.
Jade Oracle is a bewitching potion of neo-soul, jazz, and siren songs to appease the Void. Led by the creative nexus of high priestess Coy Lim (Vox and Keys), synth sage Jake Alvarez (Guitar, MIDI Guitar), and dimension dealer Calvin Davis (Drums) their music has enthralled audiences across the US.
Otherworldly grooves, ethereal eastern-inspired melodies, and silken sonic soundscapes define Jade Oracle; and
beguile the listener to transcend this mortal plane to explore the realms of spirit and shadow.
They will be celebrating the upcoming record with the single release at Dazzle, followed by a series of secret and more intimate shows this summer.
The season will peak with a Mid-Autumn/Mooncake Festival timed EP release party. Details to all can be found at jadeoraclemusic.com, Instagram at @jadeoraclemusic, and more.
Single release show:
Saturday, June 21, 2025
Dazzle Denver, 1080 14th St, Denver
Doors: 9:30pm | Show: 10pm
Jam: 11:15pm - Witching Hour (12:30am)
HYOJAE LEE: A Bright Future Begins for Boettcher Scholar and Student Leader
By Annie Guo VanDan
When Hyojae Lee received her diploma from Smoky Hill High School this spring, it wasn’t just a celebration of academic success—it was a culmination of leadership, resilience, and cultural pride. As a Boettcher scholar, one of the state’s highest academic honors, Lee is heading to the University of Colorado Boulder this fall. She will receive a $80,000 scholarship over four years.
The 2025 Class of Boettcher Scholars is a distinguished group of 50 Colorado high school graduates whose achievements and leadership are already creating meaningful change across the state.
For Lee and her family, graduation day was filled with gratitude.
“My family and I have just been truly so thankful for the opportunities Smoky Hill and Boettcher have given me,” she says. “As the daughter of two first-generation immigrants and part of the very small minority of Asian students in my school, I was excited to be a role model and an example for others.”
That sense of purpose has driven Lee throughout her high school journey. She entered Smoky Hill as a shy freshman from a small charter school where close-knit connections were the norm. The transition felt daunting.
“I was very scared and knew close to no one. It wasn’t until homecoming week that I started to establish a group of friends and find my commu nity,” she recalls.
“Since then, Smoky Hill has truly pushed me and supported me through every step of my high school career.”
Determined to give back, Lee joined Student Government her sophomore year, finding joy in organizing events and creating a sense of belonging for others.
As she looks ahead to college, Lee is eager for the next chapter.
“I love the grind, staying busy, and being behind the scenes,” she says. “That passion for helping others has been the key motivator for staying involved and taking leadership roles.”
Beyond her involvement in school, Lee is deeply rooted in her Korean heritage—a part of herself she once struggled to embrace.
“I was scared and embarrassed of my culture for a long time growing up,” she shares. “But now I understand that the values and traditions passed down to me have become integral parts of my identity. Being Korean-American has forced me to see the world from a different perspective, but that perspec-
“I’m most excited to meet new people and get involved. I’ve always loved talking to people, so I’m thrilled to be going to such a large school. I’m also excited for social events like football games, and academic opportunities like undergraduate research. My main goal is to explore my passions and hopefully get into medical school.”
To younger students, especially those navigating the balance of identity and ambition, Lee offers this advice: “Embrace your unique perspective and try new things. We have the advantage of being Asian Americans and having a small but mighty community behind us. Don’t be afraid to explore things that are new to you. You never know what will end up being your passion.”
Lee celebrates her high school graduation with her family at the Ritchie Center in Denver
Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman joins Lee (right) and volunteers at the GlobalFest
Next Generation Voices students wear hanboks for their World Awareness performance
Finding His Voice:
Mike Fogg on Art, Identity, and
Filipino American Pride
By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
“
As an art director, I get to blend strategy with creativity. What started as sketching athletes as a kid turned into this deep appreciation for visual language. Now, I get to help shape how people experience a brand, a story, or even a moment. That kind of impact, where design connects with people emotionally—that’s the most rewarding.
Mike Fogg’s journey began in Cebu City, Philippines, where he was adopted at just 11 months old and brought to the United States. Though he doesn’t remember the transition, growing up as a Filipino adoptee in a predominantly white community shaped his identity in profound ways. “I often felt like I was navigating two worlds,” he reflects— one where he longed to fit in, and another where he quietly questioned his place and cultural roots.
Fogg was raised by a loving family who encouraged him to explore his heritage, but never forced it. At age 15, a trip to his orphanage in Cebu became a turning point. There, he saw a photo of his biological mother for the first time. “It flipped my world,” he says. That moment marked the beginning of a deeper connection to his Filipino identity—one rooted in acceptance, gratitude, and the emotional weight of adoption. “It made me more humbled—just to be alive, to have the opportunities I do, and to be chasing dreams my mother may not have been able to give me.”
As a designer and art director, he sees his cultural influence in his aesthetic instincts—blending bold contrasts, emotional depth, and a resourceful, scrappy spirit. Fogg draws inspiration from his Filipino roots in subtle but powerful ways.
“Being Filipino American means I’ve always existed between cultures. That duality taught me to stay curious, reflective, and open to multiple perspectives,” he explains. Even if not overtly represented in visual motifs, his heritage is embedded in how he thinks, works, and creates.
Fogg’s career in art direction grew out of a childhood love for drawing and a fascination with design. He was the kid who wanted to make the mixtape cover or class poster, and by the time he discovered YouTube and Nike commercials he would watch on repeat, he knew he wanted to shape stories visually.
That passion turned into a career that’s seen him work with global icons like Adidas, Steph Curry, Ford, and
the Chicago Bulls. His work has been showcased from Art Basel in Miami to galleries in New York, Paris, and Seoul.
“But beyond the big names or the big venues, the projects that mean the most are the ones where I felt fully trusted to bring a vision to life—where the collaboration was strong, the story had heart, and the process challenged me to grow as both an artist and a person,” he reflects.
Fogg believes deeply in the power of representation. “When you don’t see people like you in creative spaces, it’s easy to doubt your place there,” he says. As a Filipino American, he hopes his presence and success can inspire others to claim their space, trust their voices, and tell their stories.
Whether connecting through Filipino food in Denver or traveling with his wife, Fogg continues to ground himself in culture, creativity, and purpose. “If I can create work that makes people feel seen and helps push the creative landscape forward,” he says, “that’s a legacy I’ll be proud of.”
At the Intersection:
Queer and AANHPI Stories of Pride
As we celebrate Pride Month, we uplift the vibrant voices of our AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) LGBTQ+ community—individuals whose identities intersect in powerful and meaningful ways.
In Colorado, our queer AANHPI community is small but mighty, filled with artists, entrepreneurs, students, and professionals who are reshaping what it means to live authentically and build inclusive spaces.
One such space that once held a special place in Denver’s heart was Third Culture Bakery, co-owned by Wenter Shyu and Sam Butarbutar, two queer Asian men. Known for their signature mochi muffins, Third Culture Bakery stood as more than a café—it was a community hub. When Third Culture opened its Aurora location in 2021, the space welcomed everyone, but especially made AANHPI and LGBTQ+ individuals feel seen and celebrated.
However, like many small businesses, the bakery struggled through the impacts of the pandemic. In 2023, they closed their Aurora store and returned to California, citing the financial strain, but also the difficulty of operating in a region where culturally specific, queer-owned businesses are still relatively rare and under-supported. The loss of Third Culture Bakery reminds us how vital it is to support the creative, inclusive spaces our AANHPI queer community builds—especially in places where those identities are often overlooked.
Pride Month is a time to celebrate progress, but also to reflect on the barriers that still exist. It is a time to amplify queer AANHPI stories and support queer-owned businesses, organizations, and initiatives that foster connection and belonging.
Here in Denver, the City is taking steps to support and uplift its LGBTQ+ residents through the LGBTQ Commission, a volunteer-led advisory group that advocates for inclusive policies and greater visibility. The Commission provides guidance to city officials, helps address issues impacting the queer community, and organizes programs that fosters connection and education. This month, the Commission will host “Pride in the City” on June 27 to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity and community. It’s a chance to gather in joy, raise awareness of ongoing challenges, and promote a more inclusive future.
PRIDE IN THE CITY
LOCATION: TRUSS HOUSE
The Commission includes AANHPI representation, with members like Kat Ling, Patrick Walton and Alex Yu, ensuring that the voices of queer Asians are part of these vital conversations and decisions.
As we celebrate across the country, LGBTQ+ rights are under attack. The fight for equality is far from over. That’s why Pride is more than a celebration—it’s a declaration of resilience, solidarity, and protest. And why allyship, especially from within our own AANHPI communities, is more crucial than ever.
Asian Avenue Magazine is proud to feature interviews with AANHPI LGBTQ+ individuals in Colorado, spotlighting their journeys, creative work, and reflections on identity. Their stories speak to self-love, joy, and the importance of visibility— beyond the month of June.
Finding Asian Vibes in Denver helped Natalie Norton feel proud of her queerness. The Denver-based social group for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals provided a space that felt safe and familiar for the Korean American.
“For the first time, I felt like I could show up fully—not just as a queer person or as an Asian person, but both,” she says. “It was incredibly healing.”
For Natalie, celebrating Pride looks like a quiet meal shared with chosen family. It’s a late night of dancing in your living room. It’s the freedom to move your body in a way that feels like home.
“Pride month is still a fairly new experience for me. Earlier in my journey, I was more closeted and unsure of where I belonged. It’s only in the last couple years that I’ve really begun embracing myself within the community, and with that, came a more intentional celebration of Pride.”
While she carries Pride year-round, she says in June, “the energy feels more electric, more seen, and more out loud.”
Natalie Norton
“I want other Asian and LGBTQIA+ folks to know they’re not alone, and that there is a space for us, by us.”
At 33, she is embracing her identity as a transgender, omnisexual artist and community organizer—with warmth, courage, and grace.
Raised in a conservative Baptist Korean household, she spent much of her early life pushing away the truth of who she was. “Queerness wasn’t safe to explore,” she says. “I was afraid of being disowned or punished.”
But even as a young child, Natalie knew something was different. By age 10, she could feel the dissonance between her inner sense of self and the expectations placed on her. “I remember watching the girls in class and instinctively wanting to join them,” she recalls. “But I was stuck on the other side, always separated.”
The turning point came in her mid20s, when she made the decision to transition. “It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done,” Natalie says. “But choosing myself changed everything.” Since then, she has learned to stop asking for permission to exist.
Creatively, Natalie finds healing
through photography, music, dance, and storytelling. “K-pop was one of my first outlets,” she says with a smile. Groups like Girls’ Generation (SNSD) and 2NE1 helped her explore femininity through choreography. “I would stay up all night trying to copy their moves, rewinding YouTube videos on dial-up. It made me feel alive—like I was finally in my body.”
While she now works professionally in real estate, Natalie is also involved in community organizing, helping others feel seen and celebrated.
Today, Natalie uses her voice and visibility to inspire others who are navigating their own paths. “Gender and sexuality are expansive,” she says. “You don’t have to have all the answers. Be patient, stay curious, and have fun. There’s nothing wrong with changing.”
Natalie finds strength in the powerful intersection of identity—and the beauty of living out loud. “There is so much power in just showing up as yourself,” she says. “Take up space, be bold, and be you.”
Natalie is one of the organizers for Asian Vibes in Denver.
For Kani Dang, Pride is not a rainbow-colored marketing campaign or a singular moment of celebration—it’s a movement. “Pride is first and foremost, a revolution and a protest,” they say, firmly. At 35, the Vietnamese American product director and artist is not only embracing their identity but reshaping how we think about liberation, expression, and community care.
Kani identifies as queer, nonbinary, transmasc, agender, pansexual, and aromantic, using they/he pronouns.
“The labels aren’t the point,” they say, “but sometimes we need language to help build bridges—to ourselves and others.” Their journey toward self-understanding didn’t begin until their mid20s, and it wasn’t until they turned 32 that they began medically transitioning. But with every step toward authenticity, Kani says they’ve shed expectations
Kani Dang
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, and I’m surrounded by the best support network I could ever ask for after moving here to Denver in pursuit of a trans-friendly community.”
that never truly belonged to them.
“Growing up, I was following a blueprint,” they explain. “Good grades, good career, looking the part of a successful woman. I didn’t even know how unhappy I was until I stopped pretending.”
Leaving Dallas for Denver, Kani sought a community where trans folks
weren’t just tolerated, but celebrated— and they found it.
By day, Kani works as a product director at a digital advertising agency, but their passions extend far beyond the 9-to-5. In their free time, they pour themselves into creative exploration: painting, cosplay, makeup, sewing, even pottery and soon, leatherwork. “Being queer is about honoring the beauty of the world and participating in it,” they say. “Conformity strangles us all. Creativity is liberation.”
That spirit of resistance and mutual care is central to how Kani marks Pride. This year, they’re organizing a makeup donation drive for trans women de -
tained in Aurora’s ICE detention center, partnering with Casa de Paz. “It’s about showing up for those who are most vulnerable in our community,” they say. “It’s about action before celebration.”
Despite the joy they’ve found in Denver’s queer community, Kani is candid about the layered complexity of being Asian American and LGBTQ+. “It’s the triple whammy,” they say. “You’re not Asian enough, not American enough, and you can’t even explain your identity in your parents’ language.” The sense of isolation can be profound, especially when few cultural references exist for someone like Kani. But even in that gap, they see hope.
“Elder Asian queers exist,” they affirm. “You’ll grow into one of us one day. Keep fighting for your rights. Take care of each other.”
Kani reminds us that understanding our identity is a journey of unlearning, rebuilding, and reclaiming joy on your own terms.
Hannah Tran
For Hannah Tran, identity is not a fixed point—it’s a lifelong journey through memory, resistance, and reclaiming belonging.
clear or easy. Coming out required distance.
Born and raised in Colorado to refugee parents from Vietnam, Hannah (she/her) identifies as a lesbian and Vietnamese American. Like many queer Asian Americans, she has spent much of her life navigating the push and pull of multiple identities.
“I’ve always moved between identities—never feeling fully seen, whether in queer circles, cultural spaces, or the world I was raised in,” she reflects. But over time, she’s learned to see this in-between space as a bridge rather than a gap—a space for transformation and storytelling.
Today, Hannah channels that complexity into her work as a documentary filmmaker and founder of Lionheart Narratives, where she’s currently directing There’s a Lane For Us Here. The project traces the history of Denver’s Little Saigon and the legacy of Southeast Asian refugees along Federal Boulevard. The film follows the history, legacy, and families behind Little Saigon Denver working to preserve its collective identity amid concerns about future development and fading cultural memory.
As both a Senior Digital Media Specialist at Colorado State University (CSU) and a creative force behind the camera, Hannah is driven by a deep sense of purpose. “I’m drawn to stories of diaspora, displacement, and reclamation,” she says. “They’re rooted in my own search for belonging and healing.”
But Hannah’s path hasn’t always been
After college, she took a job as a TV reporter in Minnesota, where opening up to strangers about her sexuality felt easier than doing so at home. “While I was closeted during undergrad, it was the worst—yet in some ways, the best—years of my life. Music saved me,” she shares. “I’d stick my head into loudspeakers, trying to drown out the pain.”
Now, back in Colorado and in a position to uplift others, Hannah pours energy into CSU’s cultural resource centers, ensuring students feel seen and supported—something she once lacked. “I want them to know they don’t have to suffer in isolation.”
Still, finding queer Asian community remains a work in progress. “Queerness has often felt tethered to whiteness; while in many Asian spaces, it’s considered taboo or simply unspoken,” she admits.
“But when I joined the Mountain Media Arts Collective for BIPOC filmmakers, it was a lifeline. It helped me rebuild trust in an industry that often overlooks people like me.”
There have been moments of resistance and joy along the way. While filming There’s a Lane For Us Here, Hannah was overwhelmed by the warmth of her community. “People have welcomed my fiancé, offered us food, and created space. It reminded me that bridges can be built, even if they take time.”
Her advice to younger queer Asian Americans is grounded in empathy: “Honor your identity in a way that fits your life path. Whether it’s learning to make bún bò huế or getting a tattoo
with heritage motifs—there’s no right way. Don’t compare. And know that your experiences are valid, even if they don’t fit the mold.”
Hannah and her fiancé Kenzie—a veterinarian—are getting married this September. “We met on Tinder, which is usually a hellscape,” she jokes. “But she was the last person to text me as I was making a dramatic exit from the app. And it turned out she was the one.”
In Hannah’s life and work, pride is not just about visibility. It’s about building memory, finding home in your own story, and making space for others to do the same.
Kenzie and Hannah are getting married this September.
Hannah is a filmmaker and founder of Lionheart Narratives.
Hannah meets Denver Mayor Mike Johnston (middle) and Denver City Council Member Chris Hinds (right).
Summer Bursts to Life at the Denver Cherry Blossom Festival!
Get ready, Denver—the magic of Japan is blooming once again in the heart of the city!
The Denver Cherry Blossom Festival (“Sakura Matsuri”) returns with a thrilling weekend packed with music, food, culture, and unforgettable fun. The excitement takes place June 21 (11am-6pm) and 22 (11am-4pm) at Sakura Square, located at 1255 19th Street in downtown Denver. As always, this summer tradition is FREE and open to the public!
Feel the ground shake as thunderous taiko drums kick off the festival on Saturday morning. Watch graceful minyo dancers sweep across the stage - every beat, every step is a slice of Japan brought to life. The live stage will also be illuminated with performances by adorable Temple children and youth, enka (Japanese ballad) singers, koto players, and martial arts groups who demonstrate their strength and finesse.
Take your time (or get lost for hours!) exploring the robust and vibrant Lawrence Street Marketplace, home to more than 50 bustling booths filled with treasures. From stunning traditional and contemporary clothing and handcrafted art to anime and quirky pop culture finds, there’s something to surprise and delight everyone!
Hungry? The festival has you covered! Cool off with a crisp cup of sake, ice-cold Asahi beer or craft brew from Full Frame Beer, then dive into a teriyaki burger, SPAM musubi, a freshly prepared chicken bento box, or other mouthwatering Japanese eats from two locations: inside the Temple and outside in the Temple marketplace booth. It’s summer, and your taste buds deserve a vacation too! Dining areas are located under the Temple (enter from 20th Street), in the plaza facing 19th Street, and in the live stage area.
Photo by Andrea Dreskin
Photo by Andrea Dreskin
Photo by Cami Shigaya
Back by popular demand!
Fukubukuro Bags (“Lucky Bags”) are available for online purchase for $45 and contain cherry blossom-themed items! Each bag also has a few cool unknown treats, which are the lucky items!
Your treat could be tickets to the Denver Art Museum, jewelry, a neck cooler, incense, a signed Denver Nuggets basketball, and much more!
Sakura Foundation members receive a $10 discount –keep an eye out for an email with the code! Not a member? Join today at SakuraFoundation.org! Bags can be picked up at the festival.
DENVER CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Sat, June 21 | 11am to 6pm Sun , June 22 | 11am to 4pm
Sakura Square (Downtown Denver)
1255 19th Street, Denver, 80202
Visit cherryblossomdenver.org to order your Fukubukuro bag and learn more about the festival
The Denver Cherry Blossom Festival is co-presented by Sakura Foundation (sakurafoundation.org) and Tri-State/Denver Buddhist Temple (tsdbt.org)
This year the festival is highlighting the 65th anniversary of the relationship between Denver and Takayama, located in the northern Gifu Prefecture in the heart of the Japanese Alps. Visit the Denver Takayama Sister Cities display in Sakura Central on the first level of Tamai Tower to learn more about this beautiful, vibrant city and meet representatives from Takayama!
Dive into more info about downtown parking options, public transportation, ATMs, the live stage schedule, food menu, and marketplace vendors at cherryblossomdenver.org.
Whether you’re a first-timer or a longtime fan, the Denver Cherry Blossom Festival welcomes you to celebrate community, culture, and summer joy in the most colorful way possible. Head to Sakura Square and experience a vibrant fusion of tradition, energy, and love—right in the heart of downtown Denver.
Photo by Cami Shigaya
The City of Denver closes out AANHPI Heritage Month with a celebration of the past, present, and future
On Friday, May 30, more than 500 community members — elders and youth, community leaders and neighbors, families and friends — came together to honor a living legacy rooted in culture, resistance, resilience, and love.
The 2025 AANHPI Heritage Month Closing Celebration at the Denver Performing Arts Complex was held at the site of Denver’s Historic Chinatown — a neighborhood once vibrant, later devastated by the Anti-Chinese Riot of 1880, and ultimately erased from maps and memory by the 1940s.
“We returned with purpose — in celebration, in remembrance — to uplift voices across the AANHPI diaspora and immigrant & refugee communities whose stories carry generations of resilience and hope,” said Tran Nguyen-Wills, Deputy Outreach Director, Office of the Mayor, City and County of Denver.
“Together, we reclaimed space. We reclaimed story. We reclaimed belonging.”
The event was hosted by The Denver Mayor’s Office, Denver Arts & Venues, Olive & Finch, and Denver Human Rights & Community Partnerships, in partnership with
the Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission and Denver Immigrant & Refugee Commission.
The event also celebrated the grand opening of Olive & Finch’s newest location at the Denver Performing Arts Complex. Founded by Chef Mary Nguyen, this Vietnamese American, woman-owned space is a beautiful intersection of culture, care, and culinary storytelling.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston joined for the festivities — welcoming guests, meeting AANHPI organization leaders and cutting the ribbon for Olive & Finch’s opening.
The Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center troupe, led by Phong Vo, performed a lion and dragon dance that brought the spirit of renewal, strength, and shared joy into the heart of the gathering. With every beat and movement, this traditional performance became a bridge across generations — welcoming us into a space of deep cultural pride, healing, and celebration.
Nguyen-Wills reflected: “While AANHPI Heritage Month is over, the heart of this work — the stories, the connections, the collective care — lives on. In each of us. Every day.”
Event organizers and Denver AAPI Commission
Celebrating the grand opening of Olive & Finch
Mayor Johnston, Phong Vo, and Chef Mary Nguyen
Colorado Makes History with First-Ever Statewide Recognition of AANHPI Heritage Month
In a powerful and historic milestone, the State of Colorado has officially proclaimed May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—the first time such recognition has been granted at the state level.
The proclamation, authored by Nga Vương-Sandoval, a Vietnamese refugee and Executive Director of Refugees + Immigrants United was presented by Governor Jared Polis during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion.
Joined by AANHPI leaders, community members, and advocates, the event marked a moment of pride, unity, and long-overdue visibility for Colorado’s diverse AANHPI communities.
This landmark proclamation celebrates the enduring contributions of AANHPI refugees and immigrants— those who not only built lives in Colorado but helped shape the state’s cultural and economic fabric for future generations. It honors the rich traditions, vibrant cultures, and powerful stories that define the AANHPI experience in Colorado.
By enshrining this recognition in state history, Governor
Polis and the State of Colorado have taken a bold step toward ensuring that the legacies and voices of AANHPI Coloradans are honored, uplifted, and remembered for generations to come. It’s more than a proclamation—it’s a celebration of identity, resilience, and the strength found in diversity.
The proclamation honors the contributions of AANHPI refugees and immigrants who helped lay the foundation for future generations, while also recognizing the diverse talents, cultures, and achievements within the AANHPI community.
This historic state-level recognition not only highlights the impact of AANHPI Coloradans but also ensures their legacies are formally acknowledged for generations to come. Governor Polis’s support underscores Colorado’s commitment to inclusivity and the celebration of cultural diversity.
Governor Jared Polis presented a proclamation to Nga Vương-Sandoval that stated May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion.
16TH ANNUAL ASIAN AMERICAN
HEROES OF COLORADO
2025 award recipients from left: Binisha Shrestha, Sabrina Sameshima, Howard Chou, Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa, Stephanie Tanny, Courtney Ozaki, and Nina Vendhan (not pictured).
20 past awardees were recognized at this year’s awards ceremony.
Leadership. Service. Heroism.
On Sunday, May 18, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN) honored the 2025 Asian American Hero of Colorado awardees at the Social Fabric Hub. The event was emceed by Denver7’s Danielle Kreutter, and sponsored by Molson Coors, Denver Human Rights & Community Partnerships, Colorado Health Foundation, and Kasih Initiative.
In celebration of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the 16th annual awards ceremony recognized seven outstanding leaders over a brunch catered by No Ke Aloha and Chopstix Fusion.
Each awardee was welcomed to the
stage by a friend or colleague. Award recipients then each shared words of gratitude to those who have supported them and advice for the younger generations.
This year’s Young Hero Award was given to Nina Vendhan, who was unable to attend as she was graduating from her MBA program at Wharton School.
The other recipients included: Shauna Medeiros-Tuilaepa, owner of No Ke Aloha and board chair of Colorado Asian Pacific United; Stephanie Tanny, founder of Kasih Initiative; Binisha Shrestha, founder and CEO, Colorado Nepalese Community; Howard Chou, commissioner for Denver Asian American Pacific Islander
Commission; Courtney Ozaki, founder and creative producer, Japanese Arts Network; and Sabrina Sameshima, children’s program senior staff attorney at Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network.
Annie Guo VanDan, Executive Director of CACEN introduced the community center, Social Fabric Hub, and updates on the progress the nonprofit has made since opening in March 2025. CACEN will begin construction on the building this summer, to make it more open and welcoming to the community.
Learn more about CACEN, the hero wards programs, and Social Fabric Hub at coloradoasian.org
Annie VanDan shares about the development of the Social Fabric Hub.
Danielle Kreutter, Denver7 news anchor, emceed the ceremony.
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Know when it matters most: text “BETTERAIRCO” to 21000 to sign up for ozone alerts.