‘So represented’: Hundreds of Kansas Citians celebrate AAPI month in Columbus Park

More than 300 people gathered Saturday in Columbus Park, where the smell of basil and fried rice wafted from a food truck and performers took to the stage as part of a celebration for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month.

Organizers with Cafe Cà Phê, a Vietnamese coffee shop in Kansas City, put together the event in an effort to fill a void they noticed in acknowledging AAPI month. While the month has been celebrated nationally since 1992, it was officially designated in Kansas City last May.

“We just wanted to make sure Kansas Citians had a place to celebrate,” said Bety Le Shackelford, who directs outreach for the coffee shop.

Though the weather was cool and overcast, people flocked to nearly two dozen booths that lined the south end of the park, selling everything from Filipino ube cakes to handmade earrings.

Many vendors were part of the AAPI community and participated for free. Other small businesses made donations to the nonprofit Hate is a Virus to be included.

When Shackelford moved to the area in 2018, she didn’t see many other Asian people and had difficulty connecting to the community. But having the opportunity to bring different AAPI cultures as well as her own Vietnamese heritage together, she said, has felt like a gift.

“Especially for the younger generation, events like this are so important to feel included and proud of their heritage,” she said.

For Kelly Chung and Erica Pham, both 21, that rang true. The self-proclaimed best friends since birth sat in front of a sound stage, giggling as they sipped Cafe Cà Phê iced coffees.

“I didn’t think this many people would come,” Chung said. “It’s kinda cool to feel so represented.”

Chung said she and Pham attended the event to get their hands on macaroons from Sugarfold Bakery, an AAPI-owned business. A pack of the rainbow cookies sat beside the pair with only bites left to savor for later.

Throughout the day, they watched performers take to the stage. Dancers specializing in Balinese, Polynesian and Vietnamese lion dancing performed as did locals like Sean Yeung, who traded his usual crowd at a piano bar in the area to sing for the hundreds arriving in Columbus Park.

“There’s not a very big Asian community in Kansas City, but hopefully today will bring everyone together,” he said.

The Kansas City native said that while he was surrounded by many other Chinese Americans growing up, he rarely met Asian people from outside his Mandarin culture.

“Coming out here today, its so easy to see how we’re all really similar and we’re all here to support one another,” the 33-year-old said.

As the day went on, shoppers left booths nearly empty.

Tuyen Keodouangsy was left with only a few cookies at her Yas Sweets bakery stand.

She had baked rows of traditional Filipino ube cakes and cinnamon rolls, but found herself left with only crumbs.

“I was overwhelmed and didn’t expect that many people to come,” she said.

According to Keodouangsy, it was important for her to set up a pop-up booth and bring her three children to the event.

“It helps my kids see all the things that I can do and then what they can do,” she said.

Shortly after, a young family approached her booth and purchased what appeared to be the last of her cookies. They strolled away, munching happily on their desserts.

“It’s just so impressive when we all come together,” Keodouangsy said.