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Tag: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2024

  • Dentist plans to run World Marathon Challenge for a good cause

    Dentist plans to run World Marathon Challenge for a good cause

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    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Charlotte-area dentist is giving back to an organization that helps children in her home country while taking her biggest physical challenge to date. 

    What You Need To Know

    • A Charlotte dentist is participating in the World Marathon Challenge, which includes seven marathons in seven continents in seven days

    • Dr. Smita Warrier, who is originally from India, wants to raise awareness and funds for an organization in her home country 

    • Warrier aims to raise $85,000 for Sakhi for Girls Education, which helps girls continue their education
    •  May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which recognizes contributions of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States

    Dr. Smita Warrier, who is originally from India, plans to participate in the World Marathon Challenge, which involves running seven marathons in seven continents in seven days.

    Warrier moved to the U.S. from India 24 years ago, and seven years later, she opened Warrier Family Dentistry. 

    “I feel like [Mumbai, formerly] Bombay will always be my home, but Charlotte is where my heart is now,” Warrier said. 

    At her practice, she helps patients smile with confidence, and a few times a year she gives back by offering free dental services. 

    “Who we are and what our role is in our community is what makes us as a person,” Warrier said. 

    Warrier is taking strides to make a difference by running seven marathons in seven continents in seven days next year.

    “I feel like this would combine my love of running with drawing attention to an important cause,” Warrier said. 

    She’s raising money for an organization in her home country called Sakhi for Girls Education. It helps girls in the slums and rural areas of India continue their education. 

    “Unfortunately, not all the girls have the opportunities that I’ve had. Girls marginalized and don’t have as much access to education and even good health, nutrition,” Warrier said. 

    Warrier has several triathlons and ultra marathons under her belt. 

    “This was my longest run ever. It was built to be a 100K and it ended up being a 107K,” Warrier said. 

    She’s now training for her longest challenge to date, which will take place in January 2025. 

    “Right now, because it’s summer, I’m focusing on strength training,” Warrier said. “When I’m six months away from the goal, which will be in August, I’m going to crank up the running and increasing the mileage that I’m doing.”

    By pushing her boundaries, she also wants to inspire other women. 

    “Don’t let anyone tell you no. If you set your mind to it, anything is possible,” Warrier said. “I’m the first Indian woman to do this. If I can do it. Anyone can.” 

    Warrier’s goal is to raise $85,000 for Sakhi for Girls Education. 

    She’s covering most of the cost of the World Marathon Challenge, but is also accepting support from corporate sponsors. 

    Participants run their first marathon in Antarctica, then fly a chartered place to their next destination. 

    Their last race will take place in Miami. 

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    Estephany Escobar

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  • N.C. advocacy groups host film festival to show off talent in Asian community

    N.C. advocacy groups host film festival to show off talent in Asian community

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    GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina is home to a number of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and this month, the Greensboro History Museum partnered with an advocacy group to host a film festival showcasing the creativity within the area’s Asian community.

    What You Need To Know

    • AAPI Short Film Fest hosted by Pave N.C. at the Greensboro History Museum

    • The festival organizer says the films help to break stereotypes surrounding the Asian community

    • Six film makers from the Triad showcased their short films highlighting the Asian and Asian American community


    Paul Beyun submitted a film on his Kenya travels for the AAPI Short Film Fest, hosted by Pave N.C. at the Greensboro History Museum.

    “Let’s embrace Asian community, but let’s also address some issues that we need to talk about and strengthen our community. And, also celebrate, you know,” Beyun, a Greensboro filmmaker and videographer, said.

    The festival organizer says the films help to break stereotypes surrounding the Asian community.

    “It’s always good to talk about just individuality and then talk about just hard topics such as, like, different races, different religions having to mix together,” Beyun said.

    Six film makers from the Triad showcased their short films highlighting the Asian and Asian American community.

    Beyun says showing the films and discussing them with the audience after gives all the filmmakers a sense of pride.

    “The panel is important because it makes people say their truth. Like sometimes they say good things about the world, and sometimes it talks about the pains that we had,” Beyun said.

    When it comes to the films Beyun creates, he showcases the different backgrounds of his travels.

    “I just want to show, like the real, real side of things, like, so my Kenya video, I didn’t want to just show zebras and lions and resorts and hotels,” he said.

    Beyun is Korean, and says even though people are from different backgrounds, their experiences bring people together, which is why he began filming all of his travels.

    “All cultures are beautiful and we shouldn’t be so scared to go to certain countries, or we shouldn’t stereotype like continents, you know, like that’s what happens here. Most people don’t go to certain parts of the world,” Beyun said.

    There are more than 20 Asian Film Festivals worldwide, according to the AsianFilmFestivals.com.

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    Zyneria Byrd

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