10 AAPI Heritage Month Ideas for Work
The month of May is dedicated to AAPI Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to our country’s history, culture, and society. It’s an opportunity for us to learn more about the diverse cultures and experiences of AAPI communities and to honor their legacies.
As we observe AAPI Heritage Month in our workplaces, it’s important to keep in mind that this month is not just a box to check off on a diversity and inclusion checklist. It’s an opportunity to take meaningful action towards creating a more inclusive workplace for AAPI employees and to show our appreciation for their contributions.
How do you celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work?
There are many ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work, from organizing virtual events and workshops to highlighting the achievements of AAPI employees. It’s important to make sure that your celebrations are not just performative, but meaningful and impactful. This can include educating your employees on AAPI history and culture, promoting AAPI-owned businesses, and donating to AAPI organizations.
AAPI Heritage Month ideas for work
Here are 10 AAPI Heritage Month ideas for work that you can implement to celebrate and honor the AAPI community:
Host a virtual speaker series
Organize an AAPI art exhibition
Hold a film screening
Hosta cultural food tasting
Share AAPI history and culture facts
Promote AAPI-owned businesses
Host AAPI Heritage Month virtual trivia
Celebrate AAPI employee achievements
Create an AAPI employee resource group
Donate to AAPI organizations
Host a Virtual Speaker Series
One way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month is to invite AAPI leaders and experts to speak to your employees. You can invite AAPI leaders and experts to speak to your employees and share their perspectives on topics related to AAPI culture, history, and heritage. This can include discussions on issues such as racial identity, stereotypes, and cultural differences. By hosting a virtual speaker series, you can provide your employees with valuable insights and knowledge about the AAPI community, and encourage them to become more informed and engaged in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Plus, a virtual speaker series allows your employees to engage with AAPI leaders and experts from different regions, making it accessible to employees working from home or in different locations.
Organize an AAPI Art Exhibition
Art is a powerful way to showcase and celebrate different cultures. An AAPI art exhibition in your workplace is an excellent way to do this. Displaying works of AAPI artists will expose your employees to different forms of art and help them appreciate the diverse talents of the AAPI community. This is also an opportunity to feature AAPI artists who may not have had the same level of exposure in mainstream art institutions. Displaying AAPI art can spark meaningful conversations about cultural representation, identity, and diversity.
Hold a Film Screening
Movies are an excellent medium for celebrating AAPI Heritage Month. Organizing a film screening event featuring works by AAPI directors, actors, and writers is a great way to expose your employees to different perspectives and experiences of the AAPI community. This can include classic films such as The Joy Luck Club or more recent works such as Crazy Rich Asians. A film screening event can also include a discussion or Q&A session with the filmmakers or experts on AAPI cinema.
Host a Cultural Food Tasting
Food is a universal language that brings people together, making it an ideal way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. You can organize a cultural food tasting event, where employees can try different AAPI cuisines. This is an excellent opportunity to introduce your employees to new foods and to appreciate the diverse culinary traditions of the AAPI community. You can feature popular dishes from countries such as China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines.
Share AAPI History and Culture Facts
Another great way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month is to share facts and information about AAPI history and culture with your employees. You can send out daily or weekly emails with interesting facts about AAPI history and culture to your employees, or share these facts during team meetings or presentations. These facts can include historical events, cultural traditions, notable AAPI figures, and other interesting facts that promote cultural understanding and awareness. Sharing these facts and information with your employees can help them gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the AAPI community and its contributions to society. It is an easy yet effective way to recognize and celebrate AAPI Heritage Month while fostering a more inclusive and culturally aware workplace.
Promote AAPI-Owned Businesses
Supporting AAPI-owned businesses is a meaningful way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. Encouraging your employees to shop at AAPI-owned businesses is a simple yet effective way to show support. You can also take it a step further by organizing a virtual market where AAPI-owned businesses can showcase their products and services. This event not only supports AAPI-owned businesses but also provides an opportunity for your employees to discover new and unique products. (Fun fact: Bar None Games is an AAPI-owned small business!)
Host AAPI Heritage Month Virtual Trivia
Hosting AAPI Heritage Month virtual trivia with Bar None Games is a fun and engaging way to celebrate and learn more about the AAPI community. Bar None Games is a virtual team building company that specializes in hosting interactive trivia games and events. As an AAPI-owned small business, DEI is at the heart of what we do. Our AAPI Heritage Month virtual trivia includes questions about AAPI history, culture, and contributions, and is a great way to educate and entertain your employees. The trivia can be customized to fit your organization’s needs, and is live-hosted on Zoom with a professional host, making it accessible to employees working from home or in different locations.
Celebrate AAPI Employee Achievements
Take time during AAPI Heritage Month to recognize and celebrate the achievements of your AAPI employees. You can highlight their accomplishments in company newsletters, on social media, or during team meetings. This is an excellent way to show appreciation for the contributions that AAPI employees make to your organization and the broader community. You can also consider creating a space for AAPI employees to share their experiences and perspectives, such as a blog or social media account.
Create an AAPI Employee Resource Group
Employee resource groups (ERGs) are an effective way to create a sense of community and support for underrepresented employees. Consider creating an AAPI employee resource group where AAPI employees can connect with each other, share experiences, and offer support. This group can be a safe space for AAPI employees to discuss topics that are relevant to their community and culture, and offer resources and support to each other. ERGs can also play a vital role in educating employees about different cultures and promoting a more inclusive workplace. By creating an AAPI employee resource group, you are fostering a sense of belonging and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
Donate to AAPI Organizations
Finally, you can celebrate AAPI Heritage Month by donating to AAPI organizations that support the AAPI community. You can organize a fundraiser or donation drive, or encourage employees to donate to AAPI organizations of their choice. This is an excellent way to show support for the AAPI community and make a positive impact. Partner with local AAPI organizations or nonprofits that support AAPI communities in need, such as those that provide language services, mental health resources, or legal assistance.
Tips for your AAPI Heritage Month celebration
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month at work is a great way to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Here are some tips for planning a successful AAPI Heritage Month celebration:
Educate your employees: AAPI Heritage Month is a great opportunity to educate your employees about the history, culture, and contributions of the AAPI community. This can be done through workshops, presentations, or virtual events that highlight important figures and moments in AAPI history.
Partner with AAPI organizations: Partnering with AAPI organizations in your community is a great way to show support and solidarity with the AAPI community. You can invite representatives from these organizations to speak at your event or workshop, or donate a portion of the proceeds from your celebration to their cause.
Host virtual events: With remote work remaining strong, hosting virtual events is a great way to engage your employees and celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. Virtual events can include virtual tours of AAPI cultural sites, virtual cooking classes featuring AAPI cuisine, or virtual trivia games that educate employees about AAPI history and culture.
Foster discussion and reflection: AAPI Heritage Month is also a great opportunity to foster discussion and reflection among your employees. This can be done through group discussions, workshops, or reflection activities that encourage employees to reflect on their own experiences with diversity and inclusion.
By incorporating these tips into your AAPI Heritage Month celebration, you can create a meaningful and impactful event that promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Remember to be mindful of cultural appropriation and to approach your celebration with respect and sensitivity to the AAPI community.
Host a virtual AAPI Heritage Month event with Bar None Games
Remember, celebrating AAPI Heritage Month is not just a one-time event. It should be an ongoing effort to create a workplace that is welcoming and inclusive of all cultures, races, and backgrounds. By working together, we can build a workplace that celebrates diversity, fosters inclusion, and promotes equity.
AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity for us to celebrate and honor the contributions of the AAPI community. By implementing these AAPI Heritage Month ideas, we can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace for AAPI employees.