ASIAN AMERICAN CULTURAL CENTER Annual Update for Asian & Asian American Yale Alumni
2021-2022
AACC BUILDING REOPENING
WELCOME MIXER EVENTS
FALL ASIAN RETREAT
After abruptly closing the building in March 2020, we were excited to reopen in August 2021 with a key focus on reestablishing a strong foundational community ownership of the physical space as a resource. We successfully hosted approximately 150 events that reach 3,750 students campus-wide and also offered a virtual option for event attendees when conducive.
We capitalized on the warmer weather during the early months of Fall 2021 to host our welcome mixer event series outdoors. We (re)introduced the AACC to students and activated the surrounding parking lot surrounding in a whole new way for community building! Community building through a lens of intersectionality is the cornerstone of everything we do at the AACC.
Our annual off-campus retreat this year provided 32 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, who trace their heritage back to Asia, with an opportunity to explore shared histories, further develop their understanding of our racial identity and positionality, while fostering meaningful community amongst other students at Yale.
AACC 40TH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIVE MURAL As a continuation of the AACC's year-long 40th anniversary celebration, we hosted several events to bring the Center's rich history to life for students, staff, faculty, and alumni as well as beautify the physical space. Beginning with an oral history event with Dr. Maria Martha Chavez co-hosted with La Casa Cultural, followed by a community gardening effort, an AACC history walkthrough, and a short-term artist residency co-sponsored by the Yale School of Art that culminated with the installation of a commemorative mural on the outer wall of the AACC's building in November 2021. It is the first mural in the Greater New Haven area that features Asian-identified individuals. More information about the mural can be found here.