News Summary
Memphis is embracing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this May, featuring events such as the Hungry Tiger Food Tour and an Asian Bakery Crawl. These activities highlight the diverse Asian cuisines in the city and encourage community engagement. Founded by SunAh Laybourn, these initiatives promote awareness around AAPI contributions while fostering understanding and belonging. Art installations and the Memphis Dragon Boat Festival will further enhance the celebration, emphasizing unity and inclusivity among residents.
Memphis is celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month throughout May with a range of events designed to honor the diverse cultures and histories of AAPI communities. These events include a culinary adventure known as the Hungry Tiger Food Tour and an Asian Bakery Crawl, both showcasing the richness of Asian cuisines and cultural histories in the city.
The month-long Hungry Tiger Food Tour features various Asian cuisines, allowing participants to explore dishes from different venues around Memphis. Notably, this culinary experience includes foods such as biryanis from Amrutha Vilas and sushi from Takashi Bistro. This initiative is part of a broader effort to foster community connection and appreciation for AAPI contributions to local culture.
In addition to the food tour, the Asian Bakery Crawl offers a self-paced exploration of local bakeries featuring a variety of Asian-inspired pastries. Participant engagement is encouraged through social media, where individuals can enter to win merchandise from Edible Memphis and Hungry Tiger by sharing pictures of their experiences.
The events are part of a larger framework established by SunAh Laybourn, who founded AAPI Heritage Month Memphis. Laybourn recognized the urgent need for greater awareness of AAPI issues, particularly after her return to Memphis in 2018 and subsequent events like the rise in anti-Asian racism and the Atlanta spa shootings in 2021. Her initiatives, which include the Asian Bakery Crawl and Hungry Tiger Food Tour, focus on fostering a sense of belonging and understanding within the community, highlighting the cultural richness beyond just food.
Additionally, the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art will host Suchitra Mattai’s installation “with abundance we meet”, starting May 22nd. This art piece, crafted from braided vintage saris, symbolizes themes of fertility, migration, and feminine strength. Meanwhile, on May 24th, the Saddle Creek Gallery will feature the AAPI Heritage Month Student Art Exhibit, showcasing student artwork centered around the theme “Celebrate AAPI Stories, Traditions, and Identity.”
The month will culminate with the Memphis Dragon Boat Festival at Hyde Lake in Shelby Farms, organized by the Memphis Chinese Community Center. This vibrant event will include traditional boat races, dance performances, and live music, providing community members with a space to celebrate AAPI heritage collectively.
With over 13 years of publishing and digital content experience, Holly, a former leader of the I Love Memphis Blog and author of “Secret Memphis,” has made significant contributions to the promotion of local culture. She recently discussed her experiences of food tours in Mexico City and old-school Memphis restaurants on a local culinary platform, bringing insights from her travels back to the Memphis community.
AAPI Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the diverse backgrounds and narratives that contribute to the cultural tapestry of Memphis. Each event throughout May is crafted to honor the heritage and accomplishments of AAPI individuals and groups, creating a collective environment of appreciation and understanding.
The Hungry Tiger Food Tour and Asian Bakery Crawl, along with other activities planned for the month, aim not only to celebrate the flavors of AAPI cultures but also to foster a sense of unity among Memphis residents, reinforcing the importance of inclusivity and community support.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Memphis Dragon Boat Festival at Shelby Farms Park
Memphis Weekend Events from May 2 to May 4, 2025
UrbanArt Commission Unveils New Exhibit Honoring Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage and Homemaking
Over 30 Entertaining Events Scheduled to Take Place in Memphis this May
Additional Resources
- We Are Memphis: Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
- Google Search: AAPI Heritage Month Memphis
- WREG: Memphis Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month
- Encyclopedia Britannica: AAPI Heritage Month
- Choose901: AAPI Heritage Month in Memphis
- Google News: Memphis Asian Bakery Crawl
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
