INDUSTRY CITY — Asian pride was on full display recently, as the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (BCC) hosted its first-ever Asian-American Night Market, bringing thousands to Sunset Park’s Industry City in honor of AANHPI Heritage Month (May 1-May 31).

The shindig featured more than 60 food, drink, and crafts vendors — representing Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Laotian, Malaysian, Taiwanese, Thai, and Vietnamese cultures. 

In addition, a number of Asian musical artists and entertainers electrified the stage as well. 

The event, emceed by Broadway performer Joanna Carpenter, featured musical performances by K-Pop musical star Min, Filipino-American rapper and singer Slayrizz, Chinese and Colombian violinist Yut Chia and Indian-American comedian Pratima Mani. 

Randy Peers, BCC president and CEO, pointed out that for the Chamber, this is a very special and historic day.

“It’s the first time we are doing this, and we are definitely going to be doing it every year,” Peers said, adding, “The goal is to make it a signature event like our Black History Month celebration. This Asian-American Night Market will be the first of many. 

“If you think about it, it’s not just from a commerce perspective — it’s about the cultural influence that Asian Americans have had in Brooklyn, New York City and in the United States,” Peers added. “There’s such a strong Chinese-American community, a vibrant Korean-American community, an amazing Filipino-American community — but there is also a Southeastern Asian presence as well. It’s all here, and it’s all represented in Brooklyn. Where else in the world can you find something like this?”

Kathie Lee, executive vice president and chief legal officer at the BCC, explained that it’s all about getting the community together to showcase Asian heritage “and to celebrate different cultural jewels and gems.”

“It’s a big help to small businesses in the area as well,” Lee said, “and a great kick-off to Memorial Day weekend here in Industry City.”

Lee noted that with more of a growing Asian population in the area, this Night Market event is even more significant. 

“Believe it or not, Sunset Park’s Chinatown is even bigger than Manhattan’s Chinatown,” Lee said. “It’s been hidden under the radar for a while, and we want to put it in the spotlight and feature the diversity and presence that we have here.” 

Lester Chang, 49th District assemblymember (representing Bath Beach, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, and Dyker Heights), explained that, after the pandemic, Industry City “was almost a ghost town. So it’s incredible now to see this kind of vibrancy,” Chang said. “The Brooklyn Chamber has been leading the way with events like these for a long time. It’s a tremendous thing and something the community really needs.” 

The BCC is among the largest and most influential business advocacy organizations in New York, having spent the last hundred years developing and promoting policies that drive economic development and advance its members’ interests.