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Asian Kaleidoscope Month

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Est. 1992 at the University of Florida, AKM is a celebration of Asian American history and culture for all to enjoy.

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·༻𐫱༺·𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐞𝐢𝐝𝐨𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡·༻𐫱༺·

Established in 1992, Asian Kaleidoscope Month (AKM) provides a space for UF’s diverse APIDA community to celebrate their identities, cultures, and histories. Every March, AKM brings the community together through cultural events and celebrations across campus. Please give a warm welcome to AKM! 🌿

🔔 Check out AKM’s story takeover and stay tuned for more AASA spotlights!

⋆⁺₊⋆ ━━━━⊱༒︎ • ༒︎⊰━━━━ ⋆⁺₊⋆
#ufaasa #uf27 #uf28 #uf29 #uf30 by @ufakm

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2 months ago

As we look back on this year’s APIDA Heritage Month, it’s a good time to reflect on the history of this month and the importance of its celebration.

Initially, it was celebrated over the course of a week, being named “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week”. This was written into law in 1978 and celebrated on May 4 - 10 of 1979. These dates were chosen to include the anniversaries of two events. First, the arrival of Manjiro Nakahama to the United States, as he was considered the first Japanese person to officially immigrate there. Second, the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad with the labor of many Chinese immigrants. In 1990, the week-long celebration was extended to the month of May and has continued annually since then.

There also isn’t a single agreed-upon name for the month. Federal law calls it Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, while the most common name for it is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The use of Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month is also becoming more commonly used to better highlight the presence of historically marginalized Desi people within this community.

Regardless of what you choose to call it, the purpose of this month has always been to celebrate and remember the history and experiences of people of Asian descent in the United States. But with the removal of funding towards DEI efforts, it has become increasingly difficult to implement programs and activities that meet these goals. At the federal level, offices like the WHIAANHPI that were made to meet the needs of the APIDA community have been dissolved.

Now, it’s up to us to decide how to celebrate our heritage not only during May but on every day. Every celebration of history and culture is an act of advocacy that resists those who would have our stories go untold. Making our voices heard and being unapologetic in our identities is the true spirit of APIDA Heritage Month.

Austin Yu
he/him/his
External Assistant Director
Asian Kaleidoscope Month by @ufakm

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4 months ago

“Will you come to my cottage this summer?”

What started as a simple line from an adaptation of a niche romance novel quickly became something much larger. Heated Rivalry follows rival hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov as they navigate love in secret alongside the pressures of public expectations. More than just the romance itself, however, the story resonated with audiences because of the way it portrayed love as something honest, intimate, and worthy of existing openly.

For many viewers, that impact extended beyond fandom spaces. Through characters like Hollander and the growing presence of Asian creatives like actor Hudson Williams, viewers saw a form of Asian representation that has historically remained uncommon in popular media, especially within queer stories. Rather than being reduced to stereotypes, Hollander was portrayed as emotionally complex, vulnerable, and fully human. Growing up, many of us became used to seeing Asian characters exist around stories rather than at their center—as side characters or people whose emotions and identities were flattened to fit expectations. For our community, visibility like this carries significance beyond entertainment. It reminds us that Asian stories deserve to be seen as worthy of being centered and celebrated openly.

As Pride Month begins, stories like this remind us of the importance of existing authentically and without apology. The resonance of quotes like the iconic cottage line extends far beyond popular culture, symbolizing the growing visibility of queer Asian individuals who, for so long, rarely saw themselves reflected openly in media. More than anything, it reminds us of our continued fight for representation and the importance of embracing every part of ourselves. Be who you are, loudly and unapologetically, because the parts of yourself that make you different are often the same parts that deserve to be seen most.

Everyone deserves sunshine.

Vincent Trương
he/him/his
Asian Kaleidoscope Month
2025-26 Programming Director by @ufakm

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4 months ago

⊹₊˚‧︵‿₊ AKM 34 Executive Board Applications are OPEN! ₊‿︵‧˚₊⊹
Want to make an impact, celebrate APIDA culture, and help create unforgettable events? Join the team behind Asian Kaleidoscope Month 34!
Asian Kaleidoscope Month (AKM) is a month-long celebration of culture, history, and heritage — and we’re looking for passionate students ready to bring new ideas, creativity, and leadership to the board ⋆ ☆₊⋆
Now accepting applications for:
• Publicity Director (2-3)
• Multimedia Director (2-3)
• Philanthropy Director (2-3)
• Ceremony Director (2-3)
• Food Festival Director (2-3)
• Mystery Event Director (2-3)
• Mx. AASU Pageant Director (2-3)
• Fashion Show Director (2-3)
★ Requirements:
Full-time UF or Santa Fe student in 2025–2026
2.5+ GPA
Dedication to the APIDA community
⭒❃.✮ Deadline to apply: Friday, May 29th @ 11:59 PM ✮.❃⭒
LINK IN BIO! Once you apply, you’ll receive a Calendly link to schedule your interview!
★ Questions? Reach out to the AKM 34 Executive Director Amy at kaleidoscope.month@gmail.com
Be part of a month that uplifts, empowers, and celebrates our community — apply for AKM 34! ★⋆. ࿐࿔ by @ufakm

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4 months ago

Amy (she/any) is a fourth-year student majoring in Computer Science and Sociology.

Having previously served as AKM 33's Food Festival Director, Amy is excited to show new sides of AKM. Through meaningful engagement with AASU and the larger APIDA community, her goal is to highlight the voices and collective action of the community. by @ufakm

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4 months ago

AKM33 is officially complete.
We’re so grateful to everyone who showed up, supported, and brought the energy. We couldn’t have done it without you and we’re excited for what’s next. by @ufakm

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5 months ago

Through various fundraisers incorporated into our year, we have raised a total of $547.28 for the Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD)!

National CAPACD empowers low-income Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities by advocating for affordable housing, economic opportunity, and neighborhood equity through a nationwide network of local organizations. by @ufakm

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5 months ago

Applications for AKM 2026–2027 Executive Board are now open.

Asian Kaleidoscope Month is a month-long celebration of APID cultures, history, and heritage. Through creative and educational programming, AKM brings the UF and Gainesville community together, and now it’s your chance to be part of the team behind it all.

If you’re passionate about community, culture, and creating meaningful experiences, consider applying to help shape the vision and execution of AKM!

Open positions:
Executive Director
Internal Assistant Director
External Assistant Director
Finance Director

Applications are due Sunday, April 19 at 11:59 PM.

Link in Linktree in bio. by @ufakm

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6 months ago

🎶AKM 33 Special Board Spotlight 🎶

Introducing our 3rd Multimedia Director

𝐆𝐚𝐡𝐲𝐮𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐦 @_gahyunkim315

Super special shoutout to Gahyun who is our third multimedia director and worked incredibly hard for months on the promo video and illustrations of our contestants! The rest of AKM board could not be more grateful to have you here with us😌

┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ┊
┊ ┊ ┊ ┊ ˚★⋆｡˚ ⋆
┊ ┊ ┊ ⋆
┊ ┊ ★⋆
┊ ◦
★⋆ ┊ . ˚
˚★ by @ufakm

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6 months ago

Get hyped for AKM pageant tomorrow! Follow each contestant’s journey of looking within and witness the value of community through each of their stories. Super excited about these contestants and seeing their hard work💫

Illustrations and video editing: @_gahyunkim315
Video editing: @mjuliannna

Asian Kaleidoscope Month 33
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Mx. AASU Pageant

March 26th, 2026
Doors open 6:00pm | Show starts 7:00pm
Rion Ballroom - Reitz Union by @ufakm

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6 months ago

Please welcome our program committee, Isabelle Zheng! We thank her for all her work!

Asian Kaleidoscope Month 33
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Mx. AASU Pageant

March 26th, 2026
Doors open 6:00pm | Show starts 7:00pm
Rion Ballroom - Reitz Union by @ufakm

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6 months ago

Please welcome one of our Mx. AASU pageant emcees Chun Hei Wu!

Asian Kaleidoscope Month 33
˖⊹┈┈┈♰┈┈┈⊹

Mx. AASU Pageant

March 26th, 2026
Doors open 6:00pm | Show starts 7:00pm
Rion Ballroom - Reitz Union by @ufakm

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6 months ago