In November of 2022, Andrea Schultz was named the Executive Director of the Asian District Cultural Association in our neighborhood. Recently she was kind enough to answer a few questions about her new role and how we can get to know The Asian District of OKC!
How does it feel to step into the inaugural role as Executive Director?
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It's truly an honor. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to serve our community in this capacity. Growing up in Oklahoma City, the Asian District has always been near and dear to me. Now being able to have an active part in helping the district flourish has come full circle in many ways, so it is especially fulfilling.
What are some initiatives that you have done thus far in your role?
Lunar New Year is the biggest celebrated holiday in Asia, so I wanted to kick off this year with more LNY celebrations. We partnered with the Myriad Gardens to cohost a Lunar New Year event, and also helped the Oklahoma City Thunder host their inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration Game which was really special.
What does Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?
Representation is so important, and AAPI Month provides visibility to our community. This month gives our multitude of cultures the chance to be publicly celebrated and embraced in a way that didn't exist even 15, 20 years ago. Seeing the uptick in support and recognition from outside the Asian community continues to feel very healing because we have gone under-represented and unseen for so long.
How do you celebrate your culture?
I love to cook Korean food for my family and friends! Nothing brings people together quite like sharing a home cooked meal, so this is definitely my favorite way to keep my family's traditions alive.
What are the must-do spots (shop, eat, relax, etc.) in Asian District?
The food is always the main attraction. You can't go wrong eating some authentic Vietnamese food at places like Pho Cuong, VII Asian Bistro, or Lee's Sandwiches, but I also love going to Golden Phoenix for dim sum. You can't go without grabbing boba at places like ShareTea, GongCha, or Tiger Sugar. We also have more dessert options now like Ling's Cakery and Mochinut! Military Park is always open and worth a stop to see the Brothers in Arms monument to learn more about the detailed history behind why the District exists.
What are some upcoming events in the Asian District?
We are bringing an Asian Mini Market to downtown Edmond on May 13th, as well as a full month of AAPI events such as our Youth Empowerment Conference for high school students at Mid-America Christian University on May 4th, and our partnership in the "AAPI Experiences" Series around the city including the AAPI Capitol Day on May 17th and "A Historical Journey" at the Oklahoma History Center on May 10th. Also, we're of course gearing up for our annual Asian Night Market Festival on August 19th. We have a couple other events sprinkled in-between, and those will be posted on our website and social media pages soon!
Andrea Schultz.
Andrea, members of the Asian District Cultural Association, and Rumble the Bison at the OKC Thunder's Asian Night!
