The NAU Review — April checklist: Eat a burrito, celebrate API Month + read up on your local book fest

April 1, 2025

Azah Quach, manager of Louie’s Cupboard within the Lumberjack CARE Center, remembers feeling “huge culture shock” when she moved from Hawaii to the mainland. “I was suddenly in a space where I rarely saw anyone who looked like me, and I felt out of place in ways I hadn’t before,” Quach said. “That experience highlighted just how important it is to celebrate students from a wide variety of Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds.”

This April, API Month brings a lū’au, a K-pop night and other celebratory events to campus. It’s not just an opportunity for all Lumberjacks to have fun and learn about Asian and Pacific Islander culture and history—it’s also a chance for students from Asian and Pacific Islander backgrounds to deepen their sense of belonging at NAU.

“Celebrating the API community helps these students feel seen, understood and empowered, creating a more supportive and welcoming environment for everyone to thrive,” Quach said.

Want to meet renowned authors, participate in book discussions, engage in writing workshops or create your own zine? It’s all possible at the Northern Arizona Book Festival, happening April 10-13. The festival brings a kaleidoscope of events to NAU, Bright Side Bookshop, Heritage Square and more local locations, promising a whole lot of culture, fun and learning for everyone.