NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) — The Charleston Asian American Pacific Islander Collective hosted its second annual AAPI Heritage Month Market at the Navy Yard in North Charleston, bringing together local vendors, live performances and a celebration of Asian culture to the Lowcountry.
For the vendors and attendees, this wasn't just a market. It's about representation, sharing their Asian culture with the community.
“There's something so powerful about diversity and something so powerful about knowing who you are,†Riz Strickland, owner of Butter Half Bakery, said.
More than 30 local vendors transformed the Navy Yard into a celebration of Asian heritage, from handcrafted jewelry and artwork to clothing and Asian-inspired drinks.
“Since I grew up here, I feel like I never really saw this kind of culture around, especially in Asian culture. And it's booming now. Like it's actually kind of crazy,†Josefin Eraula, a local Filipino attendee, said.
Dumplings, Korean corndogs and noodle dishes are just some Asian foods that filled the market, with each bite telling a story of culture, creativity, and community.
“I like working with all kinds of different Asian ingredients, stuff that I feel like there's not that many bakeries here in Charleston that have Asian flavors like that. So, I wanted to bring a little taste of home here in Charleston,†Strickland said.
“Seeing just like the joy, like even kids that come and try corndogs for the first time. That's really what motivates me to keep going and then just sharing my culture,†Lynn Hobart, owner of Seol Ah's Korean Corndogs, said.
Traditional Asian performances also brought the culture to life throughout the market.
“Growing up as Asian American, being born and raised here with any of the insecurities where I didn't see as much representation, I think it's super important to be that representation so that younger generations can see us and know that they can be proud,†Anna Huynh, owner of Trove Collective, said.
And at the heart of it all, a reminder that diversity isn't just something to acknowledge. It's something to celebrate while also supporting your neighbors.
“You have to support local. You got to have the community. It's very important because once you stop supporting local, it's just like the community is lost,†Hobart said.
To learn more about Charleston AAPI Collective, click here.
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