THE FUND'S ACTIVITIES

Since its launch in November 2020, the APF Cultural Heritage Fund has promoted greater understanding of the Pakistani American experience throughout the United States:

VISUAL & PERFORMING ARTS

• We hosted world-renowned Neo-miniaturist artist Shahzia Sikander in New York at the Morgan Library & Museum for a discussion of her exhibit Extraordinary Realities. 
• We hosted Pakistani musicians The Leo Twins for a virtual Eid concert.

STORYTELLING

• We launched the APF Library Engagement Toolkit to promote the inclusion of books on the Pakistani American experience in public and school libraries across the United States.
• We published The APF Book List, which recommends books on the Pakistani American experience for all audiences.
• We amplified efforts to tell the stories of Pakistani Americans by collaborating with the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA): (1) we purchased 10 copies of the book Our Stories: An Introduction to South Asian America that were distributed to schools and public libraries across the United States; (2) we sponsored the Our Stories virtual book club which invited readers from all over the country to discuss the stories of South Asian Americans; and (3) we co-hosted an important conversation with SAADA on storytelling and archiving family photographs and artifacts with archivist Ayshea Khan and historian Dr. Ambar H. Abbas.
• We interviewed storyteller Salma Hasan Ali on storytelling, kindness, and family traditions in a blog post about her newly published book 30 Days - Stories of Gratitude, Traditions, and Wisdom, a collection of stories on family traditions and heritage. We purchased 12 copies of the book and sent them to prominent thought leaders in the United States.
• We conducted research and writing on the Pakistani American community's connectivity to Pakistan and the journeys of community members related to their changing cultural identities.

LITERATURE & LANGUAGE

• We convened dialogues on Pakistani science fiction with writers in Pakistan and the United States and dissected the themes and experiences that dominate Pakistani literature in English. 
• We wrote about the work of entrepreneurs, civil society leaders, and experts preserving Urdu linguistic ties through technology, linguistics study, children’s literature, and activism. 
• We interviewed children’s book author Saadia Faruqi on dispelling myths and stereotypes through writing and telling our stories. 

CULINARY TRADITIONS

• We launched the APF Culture Guide on Restaurants to promote the culinary traditions and restaurant and food industry entrepreneurs in our communities.
• We supported Pakistani American-owned restaurants across the United States and wrote reviews of their cuisine to encourage all audiences to explore Pakistani food.