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Greater Baltimore Asian Community History
In 2014, an Internet search for “Asians in Baltimore” revealed extremely limited and
outdated information about the histories and contributions of the broad and ever-expanding
communities of APIMEDA (Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American) residents
whose customs, cultures, histories and creativity are integral to the fabric of the
greater Baltimore region. As greater Baltimore’s hub for uplifting and sharing Asian
stories, challenging anti-Asian hate, and promoting cross-cultural dialogue, the Asian
Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC) felt a need to become a resource for stories about the
region’s APIMEDA communities and embarked in 2015 on collecting them as best as we
possibly can, given our modest resources. (AA&CC is a self-support department of Towson
University which relies on charitable contributions of individuals, corporations,
foundations, and government agencies to keep our doors open and our programs running).
With a large and tenacious dose of passion to meet this challenge, we have created
this evolving archive developed from the ongoing work of staff, students, interns,
and community researchers and artists. A core of this content was produced as part
of our annual Asia North exhibition and festival, inaugurated in 2019 and co-produced
with the Central Baltimore Partnership and multiple community partners. As a celebration
of the arts and Asian culture that are defining characteristics of Baltimore’s Charles
North neighborhood (part of the Station North Arts & Entertainment District), Asia
North strengthened the AA&CC’s ability to document and share stories of greater Baltimore’s
APIMEDA communities. With Asia North’s focus on the Charles North neighborhood — the
site of Baltimore’s first unofficial Koreatown — we paid particular attention to greater
Baltimore’s Korean community.
We are fully aware of the glaring incompleteness and imbalances present on these pages.
Out of necessity and desire for openness and flexibility, this site is an evolving
one. We invite you to help us make it more nuanced, thorough, and equitable. Contact
AA&CC’s Director, Joanna Pecore at jpecore AT_TOWSON, with your ideas for contributing more stories. We’ll harness our ambition and do
our best to accommodate and include you!
Caribbean Asian Diaspora Community History
Confusion, Comfort, and Clarity: Identity as Explored by a Caribbean-American Artist
TU alumna Adrianna Morgan delves into how the visual arts has empowered her to connect to her multi-cultural identity, as a first-generation Trinidadian-American with African and Indian roots, in her own way.
Watch the video on YouTubeFilipino American Community History
Sony Robles Florendo: Art from the Heart
Remembering a beloved matriarch and activist of Baltimore’s and Maryland’s Filipino-American community, who first picked up a paint brush at the age of 77.
Learn more
Our Home Too: Nerissa Paglinauan
Nerissa Paglinauan shares her experiences growing up in the Baltimore area and working in the local arts scene. This is part of a 2021 panel organized by AA&CC, Baltimore Sister Cities, and Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs.
Watch the video on YouTubeJapanese American Community History
Q&A with Gene Oishi
Retired Baltimore Sun foreign correspondent Gene Oishi's experience, growing up in a concentration camp in Arizona, informs his novel, "Fox Drum Bepop."
Read the article from January 2015 on Baltimore Magazine's website
Artist Rieko Chacey
Artist Rieko Chacey considers her immigrant experience as atypical in the Japanese American community and thinks of family as home.
Read her storyNepalese American Community History
Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America: Bridging Cultures and Communities
The Baltimore Association of Nepalese in America (BANA) fosters cultural preservation, provides social support, and builds community in the Baltimore area. Student researcher Riyana Shrestha describes how the organization keeps traditions alive and supports the Nepalese community in the region.
Learn morePakistani American Community History
American Muslim: An Immigrant's Journey
Author Saima Sitwat discusses her memoir that explores questions such as, "What does it mean to be a minority, a Muslim, an immigrant, and a woman in 21st century America?"
Watch the video on YouTubeAfghan American Community History
Learn about Afghan American Community History, including Sughra Hussainy, who explores themes of survival and resilience through traditional Afghan arts.
Chinese American Community History
Learn about Chinese American Community History, including Baltimore's historic Chinatown.
Indian American Community History
Learn about Indian American Community History, including a vibrant community of artists who celebrate their culture through classical Indian dance.
Korean American Community History
Learn about Korean American Community History, including Baltimore's first Koreatown.