22 Inspiring Ways to Honor AAPI Heritage Month

May is designated as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This yearly month-long celebration provides an occasion to acknowledge the numerous accomplishments and contributions made by the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

Considering the extensive variety within the AAPI community, it's crucial to acknowledge that the AAPI label is not uniform.

In May, we should focus on addressing the concerns and needs of the AAPI community and seek sustainable ways to support them. This effort is particularly crucial in 2025, as Recent reversals of initiatives focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion intend to reach every marginalized community throughout the U.S.

Here, you'll discover various resources and methods to support and elevate the AAPI community both across the nation and within your local area!

5 Key Insights Into the History of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

It's crucial to continuously educate ourselves and promote the experiences of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders throughout the year. However, having a starting point can be beneficial. To assist with this, we've put together a guide for celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month this year.

Just so you know, some of the links included in this piece (such as those for books) are affiliate links. If you decide to buy something after clicking one of these links, we might receive a commission without charging you an additional fee. Thanks for your support!

Activities & Suggestions for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Learn

View a documentary on the history of Asian Americans.

The history of Asian Americans is part of American history as a whole. A good method to stay well-versed during May is by viewing documentaries.

We suggest viewing the documentary Asian Americans by PBS It's a five-part series about the quickest-expanding racial community in America’s past.

Dive into research.

Read this all-encompassing collection of resources From Stop AAPI Hate. This collection includes educational resources as well as a template for reaching out to your local representatives. It serves as an excellent tool for both members and supporters of the AAPI community.

Explore a local museum dedicated to Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage.

Museums and cultural centers serve as excellent initial stops for gaining deeper insights into AAPI history, particularly focusing on their localized impacts and contributions.

Check out this list For some iconic museums across the United States—and additionally, try looking up smaller, local museums in your area using Google Maps.

Understand the distinction between Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Understanding the difference It is crucial to distinguish between these two groups when it comes to celebrating AAPIHM.

During the 1970s, when immigration from these areas had decreased, it became crucial to unite.

Recent years, however, have seen growing criticism Of the use of this catchall phrase — and it’s useful to understand that discussion too.

Tune into podcasts produced by the AAPI community.

No matter whether you're looking to get informed or just have some fun, there’s a podcast out there for you to engage with. We love and endorse them. Tim Chantarangsu and David So 'S collaborations via YouTube—and their podcast, Dudes Behind the Foods , doesn’t disappoint!

If you're seeking additional suggestions, This list serves as an excellent beginning point. .

Purchase books from bookstores owned by Asian American and Pacific Islander individuals.

Incidentally, some of the links provided below might be affiliate links. This means that Good Good Good could receive a commission if you decide to make a purchase through these links, but rest assured, there will be no additional costs for you!

You can back the AAPI community by purchasing from nearby bookstores owned by people from the AAPI community. Check out This roster of retail locations to back In California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Oregon.

You can similarly uncover and readily back neighborhood AAPI-run bookshops. online via Libro.fm ( via this curated list ) or Bookshop.org (by choosing "Asian-American & Pacific Islander-Owned Bookstores" from the Filter drop-down menu on their platform). Store Locator ).

Libro.fm and Bookshop.org also happens to be two fantastic Amazon alternatives .

Read literature written by Asian American and Pacific Islander authors.

When you're browsing through AAPI-owned bookstores (or your wonderful local library ), you should also support and learn from Asian American and Pacific Islander authors!

The publishing industry has a diversity problem —but transformation is achievable.

Boosting stories penned by AAPI authors holds significant value, and nothing showcases your desire to continue listening to their narratives more effectively than offering financial backing.

Some recommendations include:

Track AAPI activists, educators, and figures on social platforms.

To help further the initiatives for advancing AAPI rights, consider following advocates on social platforms and spreading their message within your local area.

A few individuals you might consider following include:

Take Action

Discover how to correctly say Asian names.

One of the simplest and most effective steps you can take is figuring out the correct way to say Asian names .

Regularly misstating an ethnic name may be viewed as a type of microaggression, particularly since our culture makes no objection to mastering the pronunciation of challenging names like Tchaikovsky, Nietzsche, or Schopenhauer.

If you're unsure, just ask! Similar to many situations, individuals appreciate feeling valued when you put in the effort.

Shop AAPI-owned businesses.

Supporting AAPI authors promotes beneficial industry transformation, just as purchasing from AAPI-owned enterprises guarantees that your funds get recycled back into these communities. Should you be uncertain about where to start, Asian Founded serves as an excellent beginning.

Aid in preventing violence towards Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a disturbing rise in anti-Asian sentiments. bystander awareness course Will aid you in being ready to help calm down these scenarios if you ever come across them.

Contribute to help Hawaiian families who have been forced from their homes due to colonization.

One of the biggest challenges Hawaii has faced over the years has been the relocation of its native populations to accommodate both the military presence and the millions of annual visitors who come to the islands each year. Kahumana Organic Farms Is an organization that assists homeless families in Hawaii who have been affected by these industries.

Contribute to help Asian migrant sex workers.

Red Canary Song is an excellent non-profit organization supporting Asian and migrant sex workers. Your contributions significantly aid their initiatives aimed at decriminalizing this profession, which is crucial for establishing labor rights and combating trafficking, as well as reducing deportations.

Offer a meal to AAPI seniors.

Heart of Dinner Is a nonprofit organization based in New York City that offers meals to the most susceptible members of the AAPI community: elderly individuals. You can track precisely where and for whom your contributions are being used.

If your home is in New York, you can volunteer To prepare meals, distribute them, write messages, or handle backend logistics. If you reside elsewhere globally, you can donate , organize a fundraising event or see if there are nearby initiatives you can participate in.

Attend a rally, book reading, or live event.

A method to demonstrate support for the AAPI community is simply showing up. Look for nearby happenings such as rallies, demonstrations, or literary readings in your area aimed at advocating for AAPI rights. Platforms like Facebook Events and websites including Meetup or Eventbrite provide straightforward means of discovering activities close to where you live.

At Work

Strive for openness about salaries to tackle disparities based on race and gender.

Culturally, we’ve been conditioned to avoid talking about our salaries. This practice has often served as an instrument of suppression and, particularly within the AAPI community, it has helped perpetuate the "model minority" stereotype.

It should also be mentioned that although typically AAPI women experience the narrowest wage gap. That variation is significantly different across the communities included under that category.

Examine your prejudices and pledge to combat racial discrimination at work.

Though Most research examining hiring biases concentrate on contrasting applications with White versus African American sounding names. It is not difficult to deduce that this issue similarly impacts individuals from other non-white racial backgrounds.

These stereotypes, such as the model minority myth, along with other biases, continue to influence many workplaces. Therefore, it’s crucial to engage in self-reflection to identify ways you can contribute positively, and also take active steps to ensure these problematic issues aren’t deemed acceptable.

Start (or take part in) an Employee Resource Group.

Employee Resource Groups Employee-led volunteer groups aim to create secure and encouraging environments where staff members can voice their opinions, develop connections, and find assistance within their workplace. Backing these initiatives aids in attracting a wider range of talent and decreases employee attrition over time.

Highlight Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in your company newsletter.

If your business or organization dispatches an email newsletter For customers or team members, this serves as an excellent method to thoughtfully communicate information regarding AAPI Heritage Month.

Highlight notable individuals from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, offer suggestions on how to celebrate, provide avenues for giving back locally, and perhaps even distribute this piece as a helpful guide! (Should you opt for stock images, be sure to review ours.) a guide to varied stock images .)

For Children and Pupils at School

Endorse AAPI curriculums in educational institutions.

The history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is part of American history, even though not all school districts properly represent this fact. support the ongoing movement To educate students at our schools about the significant contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) within the nation’s history, reach out to your nearby educational authorities. Urge them to adopt additional measures aimed at safeguarding and supporting minority groups. Additionally, request that instructional resources created by AAPI authors and teachers be incorporated into lesson plans and classroom discussions.

Arrange or ask for an AAPI creator speaking engagement.

If you're eager to bring someone you admire to discuss social topics or perform a comedy act, consider requesting your school administration to arrange such an event. This not only backs their work but also serves as an excellent method to engage and activate your community members.

Instruct kids about racial prejudice and variety.

If you're raising young kids, it’s crucial to instill in them an understanding of diversity and the ongoing effects of racism within our community from a very young age. An effective method for this is promoting their engagement with media that showcases protagonists from various racial backgrounds or guiding them through age-suitable literature addressing these topics.

Frequently Asked Questions

In which month is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrated?

May is designated as AAPI Heritage Month—and this designation stems from two significant milestones in Asian American history: the landing of the earliest recorded Japanese immigrants in 1843 and the finishing of the transcontinental railway in 1869, a project largely carried out by laborers who were Chinese immigrants.

What kinds of challenges does the Asian American and Pacific Islander community encounter?

Xenophobia acts as an institutional obstacle that hinders the AAPI community from attaining equity in America. Nonetheless, tools such as language translation services, availability of healthcare and educational opportunities, along with increased bystander awareness contribute to improving the livelihoods of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders within the U.S.

What will be the theme for the 2025 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

The theme designated for the 2025 AAPI Heritage Month by the FederalAsianPacificAmericanCouncil is "A Legacy of Leadership andResilience."

What hashtags should you consider using on social media during AAPI Heritage Month?

The top social media hashtags frequently utilized for promoting Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at present include:

• #aapihm
• #apihm
• #aapiheritagemonth
• #aapimonth
• #asianlivesmatter
• #stopasianhate
• #stopaapihate
• #justiceforasianwomen

Which ethnic categories do Pacific Islanders belong to?

The term "Pacific Islanders" encompasses various ethnicities indigenous to the Pacific Islands area. Key subgroups consist of Polynesians (comprising people from Hawaii, Samoa, and Tonga), Melanesians (such as Fijian and Papuan populations including those from Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands), and Micronesian peoples like Chamorro, Palauan, and Marshall Island communities. While these groups exhibit shared cultural characteristics and lineage, they each maintain their own unique individuality.

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month and Jewish American Heritage Month . Be sure to check out our guides for learning ways to commemorate these significant heritage months .

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