Ideas for celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at work

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — also called Asian Pacific American Heritage Month — a time to celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in the United States. Despite the growing diversity of the American workforce, many employees might not be familiar with this tradition or might not know how to celebrate it appropriately in the workplace. This lack of awareness can lead to a missed opportunity for learning, community building, and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

In this article, we will discuss practical steps you can take to raise awareness about Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at work, including education and training, cultural events and activities, and support for Asian and Pacific Islander American colleagues. By taking these steps, you can help build a more inclusive and equitable workplace, while also honoring the important contributions of this diverse group of Americans.

What is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an annual observance in the United States that celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. May was officially designated as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month in 1992, though its roots date back to the late 1970s, when a small group of advocates began lobbying for a commemorative event to recognize this population's contributions. The term "Asian Pacific American" encompasses a diverse group of individuals with roots in:

• East Asia
• South Asia
• Southeast Asia
• Pacific Islands, including but not limited to Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, Pakistani, Cambodian, Hmong, Samoan, and Hawaiian cultures

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of these communities, as well as their many contributions to American society in areas such as art, music, literature, science, technology, business, politics, and more.

How to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at work

Here are some Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebration ideas for the workplace: 

Provide education and training

Provide education and training opportunities for employees to learn more about the history and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. This can include:

• Cultural competency training: Provide cultural competency training for your employees, particularly those who interact with Asian Pacific American customers or clients. This can help promote cross-cultural communication and collaboration and create a more inclusive and welcoming environment.
• Guest speakers: Invite experts on Asian and Pacific Islander American history, culture, and contributions to provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of this community's diverse experiences.
• Webinars and workshops: Host webinars and workshops that cover various topics related to Asian and Pacific Islander American heritage, such as the history of immigration, cultural customs and traditions, and notable Asian and Pacific Islander American figures and their contributions.

Host cultural events and activities

Organize cultural events and activities to showcase the diversity and richness of Asian and Pacific Islander American cultures. Here are some ideas for activities you can organize to mark the month:

• Art exhibits: Display traditional art forms from various Asian and Pacific Islander American communities. This can include paintings, sculptures, and textiles from different cultures, such as Japanese woodblock prints, Korean celadon pottery, or Polynesian tapa cloth.
• Film screenings: Screen classic films that feature Asian and Pacific Islander American actors, directors, or themes. Some examples include "The Joy Luck Club," "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," and "Farewell to Manzanar." 
• Music performances: Organize a musical performance that showcases traditional cultural music from various Asian and Pacific Islander American communities. This can include musical instruments like the Chinese guzheng, Japanese taiko, or Hawaiian ukulele. 
• Dance shows: Bring together dancers from different Asian and Pacific Islander American communities to create a collaborative performance that celebrates the diversity and richness of these cultures. The performance could include lion dances, dragon dances, hula, hip-hop, bhangra, and more. 
• Historical tours: Host historical tours of Asian and Pacific Islander American neighborhoods, cultural centers, or museums. These outings can provide a more immersive and interactive experience to learn about the community's history and culture.

"Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is an annual observance in the United States that celebrates the history, culture, and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans."

Organize foodie experiences

A food festival can be a delicious way to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the workplace. Here are some ideas for food festivals you can organize to celebrate this occasion:

• Potluck: Organize a potluck where employees can bring dishes from different Asian and Pacific Islander American cultures to share. This can be a fun way to try new foods and learn about different traditions. 
• Food trucks: Bring in food trucks that specialize in Asian and Pacific Islander American cuisine for the team to sample a variety of foods from different cultures. 
• Cooking demonstrations: Invite chefs to give cooking demonstrations that showcase traditional Asian and Pacific Islander American recipes, providing a fun and educational way to learn about different cooking techniques and ingredients.
• Employee cook-off: Encourage the team to participate in a company-wide cooking competition that focuses on Asian and Pacific Islander American cuisine to promote teamwork and collaboration while also celebrating cultural diversity. 
• Support local restaurants: Order Asian Pacific American cuisine, such as sushi, pho, pad thai, poke bowls, or banh mi, for lunch at the office.
• Virtual food festivals: In the era of remote work, virtual food festivals can be organized for the team to enjoy from their homes. They can share their favorite recipes and even cook together virtually.

Encourage team engagement

Encourage team engagement by providing opportunities for the team to share their own stories and experiences to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This can include team panels, cultural sharing sessions, or team resource groups. Encourage your team to lead discussions and share their personal stories and experiences related to Asian and Pacific Islander American heritage. Doing so can foster open and honest conversations and promote cultural understanding and sensitivity among colleagues.

Share online resources

Share online resources such as articles, videos, podcasts, and documentaries that cover topics related to Asian and Pacific Islander American history and contributions. These resources are easily accessible and can be shared with a larger audience via a team call or email and can be a great way to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Create learning materials such as handouts, reading lists, and infographics that provide information and statistics on Asian and Pacific Islander Americans.

Launch a social media campaign

Launch a social media campaign to raise awareness and promote Asian and Pacific Islander American heritage at work. It might include sharing stories, facts, and resources on company social media pages. This is a great way to show solidarity and support inclusion and diversity as a business. Some ideas include:

• Facts and stories: Use your social media accounts to share Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month facts to educate your followers and promote greater understanding and appreciation for this community.
• Team spotlight: Share stories and highlights of Asian Pacific American team members at your company to recognize and celebrate their contributions while promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
• Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags such as #APAHM and #AAPIHeritageMonth to raise awareness and promote conversations about the history and culture of Asian Pacific Americans.
• Influencer collaboration: Team up with influencers or individuals in the Asian Pacific American community to help spread the word about your social media campaign and reach a wider audience.

Get involved in the community

Get involved in local Asian and Pacific Islander American communities by supporting community events or partnering with local organizations. Here are some ways to get involved in your community: 

• Partnerships with local organizations: Reach out to local Asian Pacific American community organizations to learn about ways to support their initiatives, such as sponsoring events or programs, donating resources, or volunteering time and skills. 
• Community events: Participate in community events that celebrate Asian Pacific American culture, such as festivals, parades, and food fairs, to engage with the community.
• Volunteer opportunities: Identify local Asian Pacific American community organizations that provide volunteer opportunities, such as mentoring or tutoring programs, language exchange programs, or cultural events. Encourage your employees to get involved and support these initiatives, and consider giving them a day off to do so. 
• Donations: Donate to Asian Pacific American community organizations or nonprofits that support their initiatives to promote greater equality and inclusion.

By taking these steps, you can promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace while also celebrating and honoring the important contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. Looking for a job at a company that takes diversity and inclusivity seriously? Upload your resume to CareerBuilder so hiring managers can find you.

More handy heritage month tips:

Looking for a new job with a more inclusive work culture? Here are 10 things to ask in your interview.

Looking to leave your current role and pursue a better opportunity? Here's how to leave your job without burning bridges.

Want to encourage an open chat with your colleagues? Here's how to get (and keep) the conversation flowing.