NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – The third annual Asian American Pacific Islander Culture and Heritage parade is set to take place on May 19, promising to transform Midtown Manhattan into a lively celebration of cultural diversity with its theme, “Unity is the Foundation of Peace.”
Dr. Bindu Babu, co-chair of the AAPI Cultural and Heritage parade, spoke with 1010 WINS’ Sharon Barnes-Waters who shared insights into this year’s event.
“Sometimes as human beings, we fear the unknown,” Babu said. “But here, we’re bringing out different cultures, our foods, our arts, our colors, and the variety that’s so important to us. It’s our backbone, and now we’re displaying it in celebration to showcase and share a piece of us.”
The parade will feature over 70 organizations and participants, including 100 classic cars, which add a nostalgic touch to the festivities, according to Babu. Thousands of people are expected to attend as the parade will showcase the AAPI community's rich cultural heritage with colorful floats, traditional music, and dance performances.
“Many of us may not be able to travel to these countries to see this firsthand,” Babu said. “But if you come to the parade, you will see at least a small glimpse of what each country is like—their colors, music, traditional attire, and even the way they smile. It’s beautiful.”
Mayor Eric Adams, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and Congresswoman Grace Meng are expected to join in the celebration, as is Dr. Henry Lee, a forensic scientist, along with the consulate generals of Bangladesh, Malaysia, China, India, Korea, and Japan, lead the procession.
“What’s amazing about the consul generals all coming together is that they represent their countries while we are still all Americans,” Babu said. “It’s almost like having the UN coming together in one parade.”
May is AAPI Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of the community. Babu encouraged everyone to participate in community events, try ethnic foods, and learn about different cultures. “The more educated and the more you learn, the more we can stop Asian hate,” she said, linking cultural understanding to combating prejudice.
She also suggested visiting community libraries, attending events, and dining at AAPI-owned restaurants as ways to celebrate the month thoughtfully. “Taking your child to one of those events to learn a little bit about different cultures can bring so much peace, unity, and love. It’s not just about unity; it comes from the heart,” she said.
Hosted by Better Chinatown USA, this year’s parade begins around 1 p.m. along Sixth Avenue from 44th Street to 55th Street.
“Take some time out, come out to our parade,” Babu said. “You will have a beautiful time seeing this, learning about each country, and how we are together as a community.”