[VT Harrisburg, PA, February 20, 2024] – The Forum Auditorium in Harrisburg hosted a vibrant Lunar New Year celebration, uniting representatives of Pennsylvania’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community with Governor Josh Shapiro. Organized by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, the event aimed to foster cultural exchange, strengthen community ties, and highlight the contributions of the AANHPI community to the state.
The celebration, which began at 5:30 PM, welcomed prominent figures, including Governor Josh Shapiro, Susan Jin Davis (Al Roker Entertainment), Pennsylvania Democratic Vice Chair Peggy Grove, State Representatives Patty Kim and Tarik Khan, Deputy Secretary David Briel (PA Department of Community and Economic Development), and key leaders from various Asian organizations.
The event opened with remarks from Razin M. Karu, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on AAPI Affairs, who emphasized the importance of community engagement and representation.
Governor Shapiro, in his address, expressed his deep appreciation for the Asian community’s contributions to Pennsylvania’s cultural and economic landscape. He highlighted the growing influence of AANHPI communities in Pennsylvania, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and support for diverse communities.
Strengthening Government-Community Relations
The evening featured cultural performances, fostering an atmosphere of unity and celebration. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with Governor Shapiro, further strengthening the dialogue between the state government and Pennsylvania’s AANHPI communities.
AANHPI media organizations CUS (chineseinus.org) and VT (visibletogether.com) were among the distinguished invitees, with CUS founder Yuebing Hong attending the event. Their presence underscored the role of ethnic media in amplifying community voices and promoting civic engagement.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs, Executive Director Razin M. Karu, Chairman Chen We for their invaluable contributions to making this event a success.
About ChineseinUS: Bridging Communities, Empowering Voices
ChineseinUS is a premier media organization dedicated to serving the Chinese-speaking community across the United States. It provides accurate, unbiased news coverage, promotes civic engagement, and fosters government-community collaboration.
As a pioneer in political participation, ChineseinUS hosted the first state-level meet-the-candidates event entirely in Chinese and played a key role in securing Chinese-language ballots in Pennsylvania through its active involvement in the 2020 Census.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, ChineseinUS partnered with Philly Counts to deliver critical public health information and facilitate vaccination efforts. The organization also leads voter registration drives, election coverage, and policy advocacy, while strengthening cultural ties through initiatives such as Lunar New Year celebrations with government officials.
Notably, ChineseinUS was the only Asian media outlet to provide on-site coverage of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s campaign and inauguration, further solidifying its role as a bridge between the Chinese-speaking community and mainstream society.
By bridging communities and empowering voices, ChineseinUS continues to champion the interests of Chinese Americans nationwide.
