In just three years since its official launch, the UNC Asian American Center has become a crucial community for many Tar Heels.
Founded in 2020, the center — located at the corner of Cameron Avenue and Wilson Street — is a space for Carolina students, faculty and staff to learn about Asian American identity and culture through resources and programming, like visiting scholars and guest lecturers.
With education and advocacy, the center is engaging and empowering Asian American Tar Heels.
Carolina’s Asian American Center aims to promote a public understanding of diverse Asian American identities, cultures, histories and the role Asian Americans have played in shaping American society, to support Asian American Tar Heels and the local Asian American community and to connect those with Asian American interests to local, national and global conversations.
We contribute to the University’s commitment to excellence by expanding access to interdisciplinary learning and preparing the next generation of leaders for an increasingly diverse society.
Kumi Silva, interim director of the UNC Asian American Center
May is the official month designated nationally for recognizing the rich culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. But like many universities, Carolina moves the celebration to April, when more faculty, staff and students are on campus.
The Asian American Center recently sought out Tar Heels for a collaborative art display for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month focused on Asian American experiences. Each artist created an artistic reflection of an Asian American historical event from the 1950s-present to create a narrative of Asian American histories and experiences.
The center's Student Engagement Project Incubator provides Carolina students a space and support system to develop Asian American academic and community engagement projects. The incubator helps Tar Heels find workspaces, appropriate mentorship connections, resources and research and access to networks to help focus and strengthen their projects.
The Asian American Students Association is a student-lead organization dedicated to fostering an inclusive and active community on campus. The group amplifies Asian American voices and experiences through programming, which includes socials, educational events, the sibling program and an annual showcase, Journey into Asia.
A subgroup of the Diversity and Student Success’ Initiative for Minority Excellence, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Grads has been on Carolina’s campus for years, but programming became a struggle during the height of the pandemic, and eventually, the group lost steam. Rebekah Lim is working to bring it back to full force with monthly events, from a meal together to professional development workshops that fulfill the unique needs of the students.
Chinese dance featuring fan choreography and colorful silk ribbons has been around for centuries, captivating royalty with eye-catching performances since the Han Dynasty. Over the past several years, a group of Tar Heels known as the Flying Silk Dance Troupe has brought that traditional dance to Chapel Hill to share it with the entire Carolina community.