Skip to content
Events and Programs
From Fall 2024 to Spring 2025, the Georgia Asian American Archive Initiative made a significant impact by hosting a series of dynamic outreach events designed to engage both the general public and academic audiences. These events not only raised awareness about Asian American history and culture but also fostered meaningful discussions and connections within the community.
Past Events
South Asians in Atlanta: A Community History & Zine Workshop
South Asians in Atlanta – A GAACAI Community History & Zine Workshop, October 19, 2025: On October 19, 2025 GAACAI hosted its inaugural workshop at the Woodruff Library, Emory University, for communtiy members. Participants were captivated by a compelling presentation on the rich history of South Asian communities in Atlanta, which seamlessly transitioned into an engaging zine-making workshop. Thirty-three participants from the metro Atlanta region, along with members of the Emory community, learned how to create zines and enthusiastically shared their heartfelt personal stories about their experiences growing up in or living in Atlanta/Georgia. This workshop was an opportunity for attendees to celebrate their shared heritage.
South Asians in Atlanta: A Community History & Zine Workshop
South Asians in Atlanta – A GAACAI Community History & Zine Workshop, October 19, 2025: On October 19, 2025 GAACAI hosted its inaugural workshop at the Woodruff Library, Emory University, for communtiy members. Participants were captivated by a compelling presentation on the rich history of South Asian communities in Atlanta, which seamlessly transitioned into an engaging zine-making workshop. Thirty-three participants from the metro Atlanta region, along with members of the Emory community, learned how to create zines and enthusiastically shared their heartfelt personal stories about their experiences growing up in or living in Atlanta/Georgia. This workshop was an opportunity for attendees to celebrate their shared heritage.
Previous slide
Next slide
Making Home - A Community History & Art Workshop on Asian Atlanta
Making Home – A Community History & Art Workshop on Asian Atlanta, March 22, 2025: On March 22nd, GAACAI hosted a storytelling and art making workshop at the Midtown Goat Farm Arts Center. Community members gathered with the GAACAI team members at Gyun Hur’s Our Mothers, Our Water, Our Peace – an art installation memorializing the love and resilience of Atlanta’s Asian American communities in response to the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings.
This workshop explored the importance of archives and community history in telling our personal stories about making Atlanta home and help them create own zines. Participants were invited to bring any personal items they wanted to include in their zine, such as scans of family photos or letters, keepsakes, etc. There was also a special music performance by Naan Violence. Attendees had a wonderful time viewing the exhibition, listening to the artist’s talk, and presentations on the history of Asian Americans in metro Atlanta/Georgia. Attendees had a wonderful time viewing the exhibition, listening to the artist’s talk, and the presentation on the history of Asian Americans in metro Atlanta/Georgia. Then, everyone engaged in zine-making, and the program concluded with a sharing of their zines and personal stories. Forty-three community members participated in this outreach event.
Past Events
Making Home - A Community History & Art Workshop on Asian Atlanta
Making Home – A Community History & Art Workshop on Asian Atlanta, March 22, 2025: On March 22nd, GAACAI hosted a storytelling and art making workshop at the Midtown Goat Farm Arts Center. Community members gathered with the GAACAI team members at Gyun Hur’s Our Mothers, Our Water, Our Peace – an art installation memorializing the love and resilience of Atlanta’s Asian American communities in response to the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings.
This workshop explored the importance of archives and community history in telling our personal stories about making Atlanta home and help them create own zines. Participants were invited to bring any personal items they wanted to include in their zine, such as scans of family photos or letters, keepsakes, etc. There was also a special music performance by Naan Violence. Attendees had a wonderful time viewing the exhibition, listening to the artist’s talk, and presentations on the history of Asian Americans in metro Atlanta/Georgia. Attendees had a wonderful time viewing the exhibition, listening to the artist’s talk, and the presentation on the history of Asian Americans in metro Atlanta/Georgia. Then, everyone engaged in zine-making, and the program concluded with a sharing of their zines and personal stories. Forty-three community members participated in this outreach event.
Previous slide
Next slide
Building Community Hubs: The Role of Atlanta Businesses in Asian American Cultural Exchange
Building Community Hubs: The Role of Atlanta Businesses in Asian American Cultural Exchange, May 3, 2025: On May 3, 2025, GAACAI, with the financial support of the Georgia Humanities Council, hosted a panel discussion at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. The event featured three community advocates who discussed the importance of Asian American small businesses in shaping the culture of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Asian-run restaurants, grocery stores, beauty salons, and clothing shops serve as more than just retail locations; they act as cultural hubs where people from all backgrounds gather and feel a sense of home and belonging. These businesses play a crucial role in fostering connections among community members and often serve as important platforms for sharing information about local job opportunities, rental units, and social and cultural events. Community members were invited to engage with the three speakers and reflect collectively on these underappreciated yet vital community hubs. Thirty-four participants from the community attended the panel and engaged in a lively discussion, participating in the Q&A session with the speakers.
The speakers for this event were:
Diana Bui from the nonprofit We Love Buford Highway discussed her organization’s role in creating an online small business guide that supports immigrant entrepreneurs and highlights multicultural flourishing along the critical business corridor.
Parthiv Parekh, the editor and founder of Khabar Magazine, shared the magazine’s history as the longest running South Asian community magazine in the Southeast and reflected on its evolving relationship to the growth of small businesses.
Asha Gomez, a chef, cookbook author, and James Beard Award-nominated restaurateur,and James Beard Award nominated restaurateur, shared her experiences of bringing South Asian cuisine to a wider audience and helping to redefine what is considered “Southern” and “Asian” food in Atlanta today.
Reshma Shah, an Associate Professor in the Practice of Marketing at Emory University, served as the moderator for the panel.
Building Community Hubs: The Role of Atlanta Businesses in Asian American Cultural Exchange
Building Community Hubs: The Role of Atlanta Businesses in Asian American Cultural Exchange, May 3, 2025: On May 3, 2025, GAACAI, with the financial support of the Georgia Humanities Council, hosted a panel discussion at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. The event featured three community advocates who discussed the importance of Asian American small businesses in shaping the culture of the greater Atlanta metropolitan area. Asian-run restaurants, grocery stores, beauty salons, and clothing shops serve as more than just retail locations; they act as cultural hubs where people from all backgrounds gather and feel a sense of home and belonging. These businesses play a crucial role in fostering connections among community members and often serve as important platforms for sharing information about local job opportunities, rental units, and social and cultural events. Community members were invited to engage with the three speakers and reflect collectively on these underappreciated yet vital community hubs. Thirty-four participants from the community attended the panel and engaged in a lively discussion, participating in the Q&A session with the speakers.
The speakers for this event were:
Diana Bui from the nonprofit We Love Buford Highway discussed her organization’s role in creating an online small business guide that supports immigrant entrepreneurs and highlights multicultural flourishing along the critical business corridor.
Parthiv Parekh, the editor and founder of Khabar Magazine, shared the magazine’s history as the longest running South Asian community magazine in the Southeast and reflected on its evolving relationship to the growth of small businesses.
Asha Gomez, a chef, cookbook author, and James Beard Award-nominated restaurateur,and James Beard Award nominated restaurateur, shared her experiences of bringing South Asian cuisine to a wider audience and helping to redefine what is considered “Southern” and “Asian” food in Atlanta today.
Reshma Shah, an Associate Professor in the Practice of Marketing at Emory University, served as the moderator for the panel.
Previous slide
Next slide