Welcome to the photo album of the Asian American Alliance in South Jersey (AAASJ) 6th Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Festival! This gallery is a passion project, proudly captured and shared by this local photography enthusiast. I hope you enjoy these highlights of the event! If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to reach out. Thank you!

Unity in Motion: AAASJ Hosts Vibrant 6th Annual AAPI Heritage Month Festival at Cherry Hill West

by Ken Zeng

CHERRY HILL, NJ — A vibrant tapestry of culture, rhythm, and community spirit filled Cherry Hill West High School on Sunday, May 17, 2026, as the Asian American Alliance in South Jersey (AAASJ) hosted its 6th Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Festival. In collaboration with Cherry Hill Public Schools, the afternoon event drew local residents, community leaders, and performers together for a spectacular celebration of heritage and unity.

The festival kicked off at noon, welcoming attendees to an immersive cultural experience. At 1:00 PM, AAASJ President Nina Gao delivered the opening remarks, setting an inspiring tone for the afternoon by emphasizing the importance of cultural visibility, community leadership, and collaboration.

A Gathering of Leadership and Community Support

The significance of the festival was underscored by a distinguished lineup of local and regional leaders who took the stage to offer short, impactful speeches. Among the key speakers were:

• Pamela Lampitt, Camden County Clerk
• Kwame Moton, Cherry Hill Public Schools Superintendent
• Sangeeta Doshi & Daniel V. DiRenzo, Jr., Cherry Hill Council Members
• David Fleisher, Cherry Hill Township Mayor
• Dalin Hackley, representing U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross
• Gina Winters, Cherry Hill Board of Education President
• Heather Cooper, Evesham township Vice Mayor
• Aaron Chang, Regional President of Jefferson Health East
• Danielle Iwata, AAPI New Jersey
• Sally Tong, former BoE member

The event also welcomed Board of Education members Melissa Manzano and Candi Cummings in the VIP gallery, while the local Police Department ensured smooth traffic coordination for the large influx of community members.

A major highlight of the afternoon occurred when President Nina Gao stepped forward to honor the next generation of leadership, presenting the prestigious Community Service Scholarship to two outstanding local student recipients, Cindy Xu and Jason Phan.

A Spectacular Showcase of Culture and Performance

Starting at 1:30 PM, the high school auditorium came alive with an extraordinary, 13-part cultural showcase. The performances spanned generations and geographies, seamlessly blending centuries-old traditions with modern artistic expression:

From the thunderous, celebratory rhythm of the Philadelphia Waist Drum Performing Troupe to the intricate storytelling of the Cambodian Scarf Dance, the audience was treated to an unforgettable display of artistry. The energetic martial arts demonstrations and graceful fan and ribbon dances beautifully illustrated the diversity within South Jersey's AAPI community.

Powered by Local Partnerships

The massive success of the 6th Annual Festival was made possible through the generous backing of local businesses and healthcare institutions dedicated to diversity and community enrichment. This year’s key sponsors included:

Major Sponsors: Jefferson Health, AAPI New Jersey, M&T Bank, Virtua Health, Sum Hotpot Sushi & Seafood Butter, KUI MATSU Fusion Japanese Cuisine (金焰), and Heng Fa Supermarket (恒发超市).

As the festival wrapped up at 3:30 PM, the sense of pride and shared connection was palpable. Through dance, leadership, and education, the AAASJ and Cherry Hill Public Schools once again proved that diversity is not just a statistical reality in South Jersey, but a vibrant, living celebration.

A Growing Tradition
Now in its sixth year, the AAASJ AAPI Heritage Month Festival continues to grow as a cornerstone event for Cherry Hill and the wider South Jersey region. By blending student recognition, civic engagement, and cultural performance, the festival serves as both a celebration and a reminder of the AAPI community's enduring contributions to the American mosaic.

Dedicated to serving Asian Americans in South Jersey, AAASJ focuses on advocacy, cultural celebration, and strong community ties. It facilitates communication with government bodies and nurtures partnerships across ethnic groups. The organization’s values of inclusivity, unity, and excellence guide its mission to promote understanding and honor Asian American heritage.

Thanks for visiting this gallery of the Asian American Alliance in South Jersey (AAASJ) 6th Annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Festival! As a passionate photography enthusiast, I’m happy to share these photos with the community. Enjoy the memories! If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. Thank you!.

This photo album is an independent project created by this volunteer photographer. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to AAASJ, Cherry Hill Public Schools or its administration. This collection is an unofficial record produced as a community service; all content and views expressed are solely those of the photographer and do not represent the AAASJ or its staff.

A beautiful life is a collection of unforgettable moments, such as special occasions like this event. A photograph preserves these treasured moments for a lifetime—that is the goal of this photographer for you. I hope you enjoy the photos on this site. If you have any questions or comments, please click here to contact the photographer and the web master.