Families celebrate culture and community at BBA event

In early May, the Better Brooklyn Association (BBA) held a community event near Eighth Avenue to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Mother’s Day.

The event, organized around the theme of “honoring parents and passing on culture,” brought together more than 20 organizations and many volunteers. The atmosphere was lively and warm, reflecting both the strength of the Chinese community and the importance of passing culture from one generation to the next.

The event took place at Leif Ericson Park in Brooklyn. The weather was clear, and many families came with their children. Activities included cultural performances, martial arts demonstrations, parent-child games, intangible cultural heritage displays and hands-on craft activities. Voter registration services and city agency booths also provided information to attendees.

One of the most popular activities for children was the flowerpot-making and planting area organized by Huaxing Multicultural Center. Mr. Liang, who helped lead the activity, said the center arranged for two professional instructors to teach children how to plant greenery and then take their finished flowerpots home.

“We hope that through simple, easy-to-learn gardening activities, children can develop an interest in nature and green spaces, and gradually build the habit of caring for the environment,” Liang said.

Parents also joined the event as volunteers. Ms. Ting, a Chinese mother who was interviewed at the event, said she first became involved after her child joined BBA’s enrichment classes. After seeing that the organization often needed support from parents, she began volunteering.

“Community events like this have a positive effect on children’s growth,” Ting said. “They allow children to learn about different cultures, including the origins and history of holidays such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and Mother’s Day. They also help strengthen their cultural identity and social skills.”

“These activities are not just entertainment,” she added. “They are more like an extension of systematic education.”

BBA President Ray Huang said he was glad to provide a space where community families could gather, celebrate and take part in activities together as the weather grew warmer.

“Mother’s Day and AAPI Heritage Month both have important cultural meaning for us,” Huang said. “We hope this event helps the younger generation learn to feel gratitude toward their parents and gain a deeper understanding of their cultural roots.”

Huang also thanked the student volunteers and community volunteers who helped prepare and run the event. Their work, he said, helped make the event a success.

“Passing on culture is not only about holding events,” Huang said. “It is also a responsibility handed down from generation to generation.”

Organizers said they plan to continue promoting activities that combine culture, education and community service. They said they hope Asian cultural traditions will continue to grow in Brooklyn while also strengthening understanding and exchange among different ethnic groups and communities.

Several elected officials and community representatives also attended the event, including state Assembly Member Lester Chang, State Senate District 17 candidate Larry He and Assembly District 49 candidate Joyce Xie. Speakers honored mothers at the event, noting that immigrant life in the United States can bring many challenges, and that mothers make many sacrifices for their families.