How to Celebrate AAPI Month at Work
As an Asian-owned business, CultureAlly is proud to join organizations across the world in celebration for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month.
This is more than a calendar event; it’s a chance to amplify AAPI voices, celebrate diverse cultures and voices, and foster belonging at work.
In this article, we will discuss:
What is AAPI Heritage Month?
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of people from across the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. It’s not just a celebration—it’s an opportunity for education, community, and reflection.
Throughout the month of May, we recognize the resilience and impact of AAPI individuals in shaping North American history, culture, and progress—often in the face of racism, erasure, and exclusion.
🗓️ Why May?
This month was chosen to commemorate two important historical milestones:
May 7, 1843: The first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S.
May 10, 1869: The completion of the transcontinental railroad—a massive feat of engineering made possible largely by Chinese immigrant labor.
Although these dates are often treated as footnotes in history, they represent a broader legacy of migration, resistance, and cultural contributions by AAPI communities, which are often frequently marginalized and minimized in mainstream narratives.
Key Events the Shaped AAPI Month
To truly honor AAPI Heritage Month, it’s important to recognize the complex, often painful history of Asian and Pacific Islander peoples in North America. These movements highlight not just challenges, but the resilience, activism, and contributions that shaped the world we live in today.
The People v. Hall
In 1854, the California Supreme Court presided over the People v. Hall case. A Chinese man witnessed a murder committed by a White man. However, his testimony was ruled inadmissible because Chinese people were seen as an inferior race with no right to participate in the U.S. government.
This discriminatory ruling set a dangerous precedent: an Asian person could not testify against a White person in court.
1882 - The Chinese Exclusion Act
In 1882, the United States Congress and President Chester A. Arthur pushed forward a law that banned Chinese labor immigration for 10 years and declared Chinese immigrants ineligible for naturalization.
1923 - Thind V. United States
A Sikh man, Bhagat Singh Thind, applied for U.S. citizenship. In response, the Supreme Court ruled that he was “not white” and therefore ineligible for citizenship. This ruling led to many individuals of South Asian descent having their ruling revoked.
1942 - World War II and Japanese Internment Camps
In 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. This order came during World War II, after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It forced Japanese people into camps where they would be forced to live for the next four years.
1965 - Immigration and Nationality Act
This landmark legislation overturned decades of racist quotas and opened the door for a major wave of Asian immigration. Many AAPI families trace their migration stories to this policy shift.
1990 - Native Hawaiian Sovereignty Movement
An Indigenous-led movement that calls for the cultural and political recognition of Native Hawaiians as well as conversations surrounding their challenges and histories.
2012 - The Rise of Asian American Representation in Sports
Jeremy Lin, a Harvard graduate, became the first American-born NBA player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent. Initially, he was looked over despite his skills, and his arrival in the NBA sparked conversations surrounding Asian American representation, racial bias in sports, and stereotyping throughout the media.
2020 - COVID-19
When COVID-19 established itself worldwide, debates surrounding its origin became a prominent topic. The virus first appeared in Wuhan, China, and while origins are still being researched, the promotion of negative stereotypes were, and still are, prevalent in relation to the virus.
2021 - Atlanta Spa Shootings
Seven people, mostly Asian women, were killed in the area. Since the shooting, the gunman has pleaded guilty to four of the killings, but awaits a trial for hate crimes targeting the sex and race of the victims.
2021 - Rise of AAPI Mental Health Advocacy
AAPI individuals and organizations have begun to break long-standing stigmas around mental health. Groups like Asian Mental Health Collective and Brown Girl Therapy.
2023 - Everything Everywhere All At Once
The emotional, genre-spanning film has a majority Asian cast and was nominated for eleven Academy Awards, winning seven of them, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Support Actor for Ke Huy Quan, and Best Original Screenplay. Additionally, Michelle Yeoh won the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first Asian woman ever to win.
7 Ways to Celebrate AAPI Month at Work
1. Educate Yourself 📖
AAPI individuals vary in color, shape, language, and religion. Indian, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Malaysian, Filipino, Taiwanese, Mongolian, Sri Lankan, Cambodian and Vietnamese individuals are all a part of the AAPI community.
Additionally: AAPI identities intersect with queerness, gender, class, and ability. Allyship means honoring these complexities, not reducing AAPI stories to a single monolith.
Host a lunch-and-learn or training session to truly show the history, achievements, and culture of the AAPI community.
2. Become a Chef for a Day 🍜
Cooking Asian cuisine will promote a greater appreciation for the various cultures within the AAPI community. You’ll learn the methods and ingredients used by other cultures when preparing food. And, cooking is an excellent way to bond with friends, family and colleagues. There are hundreds of recipes online waiting to be taste-tested, so get started!
When cooking or sharing food from another culture, make sure to do so respectfully and avoid stereotyping.
Preparing traditional dishes from AAPI cultures fosters deep cultural understanding and appreciation. Consider hosting a respectful cooking demonstration or potluck event to engage your team in meaningful, shared experiences.
3. Watch a First-Voice Movie 🎞️
Film is a powerful medium for storytelling and cultural exploration. Consider dedicating time each week in May to watch or recommend films by AAPI creators that highlight authentic narratives and lived experiences.
Minari, The Namesake, The Farewell, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Past Lives are all fantastic choices with stellar actors and culturally relevant storylines. Include a post-film discussion to explore themes and representation.
4. Support AAPI Businesses 🛍️
Contributing to AAPI-led organizations, especially post-COVID, is a meaningful way to demonstrate support during AAPI Heritage Month and beyond.
5. Fund an AAPI Related Cause 💵
Donating to the cause is an excellent way to show your support for AAPI individuals and celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. Below are several foundations that deserve the support of your company.
AAPI Civic Engagement Fund: Provides support, research, recognition, and funding to AAPI organizations.
Asian Pacific Community Fund: Founded in 1990 by AAPI community leaders, this Los Angeles-based nonprofit serves AAPI communities with funding, events, and scholarships.
Asian Pacific Fund: They work to amplify, uplift, and drive positive change for the Bay Area Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders.
Hawai’i People’s Fund: By providing funding, support, and resources to Indigenous groups of Hawai’i, they are able to create and implement critical resources to individuals and communities alike.
Korean American Community Foundation: The foundation was born from a simple idea of providing philanthropic services to the community. In particular, the goal was to address the chronic underinvestment in the Korean immigrant community.
6. Practice Allyship 🚀
Beyond the month of May, stand up to the injustices that AAPI individuals face on a daily basis. If you notice unfair practices and policies in the workplace, have a conversation with your manager.
If you encounter discriminatory language, address it calmly and directly, making it clear that such behavior does not align with workplace value.
7. Attend an Event or Workshop 🏟️
Whether virtual or in-person, attending an event or workshop that celebrates AAPI culture is an eye-opening experience. It’s an engaging opportunity to expand cultural understanding and build community.
Additional Resources
AAPI Books to Read
Fairest by Meredith Talusan
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
Heart and Seoul by Jen Frederick
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu
AAPI Articles to Read
What AAPI Heritage Month Is and How to Celebrate It
Asian American Businesses and AAPI Hate
AAPI Podcasts to Listen to
Final Thoughts
AAPI Heritage Month is a time to honor history, celebrate diversity, and commit to equity. The actions your organization takes this month and beyond send a message about whose stories and identities matter.
By engaging meaningfully, supporting AAPI communities, and fostering inclusion, we move one step closer to creating workplaces where everyone belongs.
