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Asian American Heritage Dinner 2026

The UFT Asian American Heritage Committee celebrated AANHPI (Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander) Heritage Month on May 22 with its annual banquet, at which about 200 members and friends took part at a Manhattan restaurant.

Maggie Joyce, the chapter leader at PS 35 in the Bronx, gets into the spirit of the traditional lion dance at the banquet.

Maggie Joyce, the chapter leader at PS 35 in the Bronx, gets into the spirit of the traditional lion dance at the banquet.

Erica Berger
Retired teacher and treasurer of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Virginia Eng is presented the Marian C. Thom Award for distinguished service by Seung Lee (left), the chair of the UFT Asian American Heritage Committee.

Retired teacher and treasurer of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Virginia Eng is presented the Marian C. Thom Award for distinguished service by Seung Lee (left), the chair of the UFT Asian American Heritage Committee.

Erica Berger
Enjoying the event’s cuisine are (from left) teacher Sahar Shabazz of PS 129 in Manhattan, her son and paraprofessional Riyan Khalid of CS 154 in Manhattan.

Enjoying the event’s cuisine are (from left) teacher Sahar Shabazz of PS 129 in Manhattan, her son and paraprofessional Riyan Khalid of CS 154 in Manhattan.

Erica Berger
Retiree Zina Burton-Myrick, the former UFT District 5 representative, feeds money to the lion for good luck.

Retiree Zina Burton-Myrick, the former UFT District 5 representative, feeds money to the lion for good luck.

Erica Berger
Teacher Randi Boxer (second from left) of PS 152 in Brooklyn takes a photo of the lion while UFT Teacher Center field liaison Mindy Rosier (left) looks on.

Teacher Randi Boxer (second from left) of PS 152 in Brooklyn takes a photo of the lion while UFT Teacher Center field liaison Mindy Rosier (left) looks on.

Erica Berger
Students from Teachers College Community School in Manhattan get up close and personal with the star performer.

Students from Teachers College Community School in Manhattan get up close and personal with the star performer.

Erica Berger
Retired UFT Secretary and Staff Director LeRoy Barr (left), who was honored at the event, and Asian American Heritage Committee Chair Seung Lee carry on the tradition of feeding lettuce to the lion, symbolizing good fortune.

Retired UFT Secretary and Staff Director LeRoy Barr (left), who was honored at the event, and Asian American Heritage Committee Chair Seung Lee carry on the tradition of feeding lettuce to the lion, symbolizing good fortune.

Erica Berger
Chapter Leader Sandy Wong (standing, right) of PS 30 in the Bronx stops by to visit with UFT members from Queens, including Borough Representative Tabio DeCruz (far left).

Chapter Leader Sandy Wong (standing, right) of PS 30 in the Bronx stops by to visit with UFT members from Queens, including Borough Representative Tabio DeCruz (far left).

Erica Berger
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Maggie Joyce, the chapter leader at PS 35 in the Bronx, gets into the spirit of the traditional lion dance at the banquet.

Maggie Joyce, the chapter leader at PS 35 in the Bronx, gets into the spirit of the traditional lion dance at the banquet.

Erica Berger
Retired teacher and treasurer of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Virginia Eng is presented the Marian C. Thom Award for distinguished service by Seung Lee (left), the chair of the UFT Asian American Heritage Committee.

Retired teacher and treasurer of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance Virginia Eng is presented the Marian C. Thom Award for distinguished service by Seung Lee (left), the chair of the UFT Asian American Heritage Committee.

Erica Berger
Enjoying the event’s cuisine are (from left) teacher Sahar Shabazz of PS 129 in Manhattan, her son and paraprofessional Riyan Khalid of CS 154 in Manhattan.

Enjoying the event’s cuisine are (from left) teacher Sahar Shabazz of PS 129 in Manhattan, her son and paraprofessional Riyan Khalid of CS 154 in Manhattan.

Erica Berger
Retiree Zina Burton-Myrick, the former UFT District 5 representative, feeds money to the lion for good luck.

Retiree Zina Burton-Myrick, the former UFT District 5 representative, feeds money to the lion for good luck.

Erica Berger
Teacher Randi Boxer (second from left) of PS 152 in Brooklyn takes a photo of the lion while UFT Teacher Center field liaison Mindy Rosier (left) looks on.

Teacher Randi Boxer (second from left) of PS 152 in Brooklyn takes a photo of the lion while UFT Teacher Center field liaison Mindy Rosier (left) looks on.

Erica Berger
Students from Teachers College Community School in Manhattan get up close and personal with the star performer.

Students from Teachers College Community School in Manhattan get up close and personal with the star performer.

Erica Berger
Retired UFT Secretary and Staff Director LeRoy Barr (left), who was honored at the event, and Asian American Heritage Committee Chair Seung Lee carry on the tradition of feeding lettuce to the lion, symbolizing good fortune.

Retired UFT Secretary and Staff Director LeRoy Barr (left), who was honored at the event, and Asian American Heritage Committee Chair Seung Lee carry on the tradition of feeding lettuce to the lion, symbolizing good fortune.

Erica Berger
Chapter Leader Sandy Wong (standing, right) of PS 30 in the Bronx stops by to visit with UFT members from Queens, including Borough Representative Tabio DeCruz (far left).

Chapter Leader Sandy Wong (standing, right) of PS 30 in the Bronx stops by to visit with UFT members from Queens, including Borough Representative Tabio DeCruz (far left).

Erica Berger