Celebrating APID & SWANA Heritage
Asian, Pacific Islander, & Desi (APID) Heritage Month was nationally recognized in 1992 to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi communities across the United States. Traditionally celebrated in May, the month highlights both educational and cultural programming that uplifts APID voices and experiences. At University of the Pacific, we observe APID Heritage Month in April to ensure the full campus community can participate before the academic year ends. This month-long celebration brings students, staff, and faculty together to learn, connect, and honor the richness of APID identities.
SWANA Heritage Month emerged from a growing movement to better recognize and represent the diverse communities of the Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) region — an area that includes countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Central and Western Asia. Historically, people from these regions were grouped under broad or inaccurate racial categories in the United States, which often erased their cultural identities and unique experiences. As student leaders, cultural organizations, and scholars pushed for more accurate representation, the term SWANA gained traction as a community‑driven, geographically based identifier. This shift helped create space for people whose identities were not fully reflected in existing heritage celebrations.
