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Tulsa AAPI commission outlines events, outreach and resource partnerships amid heritage‑month activities
Summary
Commissioners reviewed AAPI Heritage Month activities, upcoming volunteer opportunities, partnerships with United Way/2‑1‑1 and mental‑health training, and discussed sponsorships and logistics for a city‑sponsored cultural event.
Commissioners on the city’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) commission highlighted ongoing heritage‑month activities, outreach plans, and resource partnerships during their May meeting.
The chair thanked the mayor and the Office of Resilience and Equity for the mayor’s recent proclamation designating May as AAPI Heritage Month and noted a series of community events planned this month. Commissioners reported participating in local celebrations — including a Japanese Children’s Day event at the Philbrook Museum and a cultural program at Booker T. Washington — and promoted upcoming events such as an AAPI Night Market Festival at Hannah Hall and an “Asian Women Leading Empowerment” program hosted by a former commissioner on May 10.
Commissioners described two categories of engagement: city‑sponsored events the commission will directly organize (the new Cultural Event Committee’s focus) and outside community events the commission supports by attending and offering outreach or data. The commission also discussed sponsorship and venue logistics: Williams (an entity referenced in the meeting) has approved a sponsorship deposit into the commission TCF account for next year’s cultural event, and staff reported a venue restriction that may limit bringing in outside food vendors, which the commission said is a key cultural component being negotiated.
On partnerships and data: the commission’s data and research committee said it secured a June meeting with Tulsa Area United Way and 2‑1‑1 Eastern Oklahoma to discuss marketing 2‑1‑1 services to Asian populations, using census and language‑use data to improve outreach and translation. A commissioner asked for volunteers to prepare a short pre‑meeting strategy to make the June conversation efficient and actionable.
On health and youth outreach: the commission shared free mental‑health first‑aid opportunities offered through a national API mental‑health organization; a youth mental‑health first‑aid virtual training was announced for May 28–29 from noon to 4 p.m. central time. Commissioners also discussed potential scholarships and internships through the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) and a possible speaking engagement at Dove Science Academy to mark heritage‑month observances.
Members encouraged broader participation in volunteer outreach, requested improved sign‑up systems for event shifts, and asked staff to share nomination timelines and PR award submission details (the commission intends to submit cultural‑event materials to the Tulsa chapter of the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Links award; submission deadlines are in early June). The chair and other commissioners urged colleagues to help canvass potential business sponsors and to confirm event logistics ahead of next year’s planning cycle.
Ending: Commissioners closed by reminding members to check calendars for quorum at the June meeting and to expect outreach on sponsorship, volunteer sign‑ups and the June United Way/2‑1‑1 meeting.
