Did you know that May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage (AAPI) month? Overall, Asian-American cultures are blossoming throughout the Cleveland metro area.
Want to connect more deeply? Upcoming is the 16th annual Cleveland Asian Festival, which will be held May 17-18 in AsiaTown. Attendees can expect to see everything from the Kwan Family Lion Dance to Korean singing, South Indian classical dance and much more. Food options range from traditional dim sum at Li Wah to boba, Ball Ball Waffles, Hibachi, Himalayan food, Korean BBQ, Szechuan hot pot and other options from vendors.
Asian Americans are one of the fastest growing population groups in the U.S., including in and around Greater Cleveland. In fact, Ohio topped national trends, with a 55.3% increase in the “Asian alone” category, including a population growth of 34% in Cuyahoga County. The overall growth of the Asian population is spread across several sub-groups including Asian-Indian (34%); followed by Chinese (26.1%); other Asian (15.3%); and Filipino (9%). While Asian-Americans live throughout the county, the highest numbers reside in Pepper Pike (15.6%), Solon (15.2%), Beachwood (13.2%) and Middleburg Heights (10.3%).
As a direct result of the population growth of the Asian – American community, several Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) organizations operate in the Cleveland area, providing services and advocacy for the various communities. Key organizations include OCA Greater Cleveland, which promotes cultural awareness and civic engagement; Asian Services in Action (ASIA), a health and human services agency serving the AAPI community; and OPAWL, a grassroots group advocating for AAPI women and nonbinary individuals.
Historically, the epicenter for Asian-American culture has been Asiatown, although the exact location on Cleveland’s east side has shifted over the years. Originally, from the 1960s and 70s, the community was centered around old Chinatown on Rockwell Avenue between East 21st and East 24th streets. Home to Asian immigrants since the 1930s, after the original 1860s Chinatown at West Third and Ontario was demolished, the Rockwell area was largely abandoned by 2006, with the community migrating to the suburbs, and east towards the Asia Plaza downtown.
As the Asian populations diversified, the name changed from Chinatown to the more inclusive AsiaTown, now home to a thriving community, including two malls, five groceries, a health center, shops, cafes, and restaurants: Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai, Korean, Vietnamese, Japanese and more. As a business and residential community, Asiatown has the highest percentage of Asian-Americans in Ohio. Today, AsiaTown remains a thriving community with a wide array of businesses, restaurants, and community organizations and continues to evolve as a center for Asian culture and community in Cleveland.
