10 Virtual Events for AAPI Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and honor the contributions of AAPI communities to American society, is coming up in May. This annual celebration was established in 1978, when Congress passed a joint resolution to mark the month of May as AAPI Heritage Month. Since then, this month has been an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the rich culture and diversity of AAPI communities in the United States.
With fully remote or hybrid work models, virtual events for AAPI month are an even more important way to include everyone in your AAPI Month celebrations. Here are 10 virtual events for AAPI month that you can participate in to celebrate and support AAPI communities in the workplace.
Virtual events for AAPI Month
AAPI Heritage Month webinar
Virtual cultural festival
Book club
Diversity and inclusion training
Virtual panel discussions
AAPI employee spotlight
Virtual volunteering
Virtual film screening
Social media campaign
AAPI Heritage Month Webinar
Kick off the month of May with a virtual webinar. A webinar can be an informative and engaging platform to learn about the history and culture of AAPI communities, including their contributions to American society. This can be especially important for employees who may not have had the opportunity to learn about AAPI history and culture in school or other settings.
The virtual webinar can cover a variety of topics related to AAPI history and culture, such as the contributions of AAPI communities to American society, challenges faced by AAPI communities, and best practices for creating an inclusive workplace culture. It can also include guest speakers from AAPI organizations, experts in AAPI history and culture, and AAPI employees who can share their experiences and perspectives. The webinar should be followed up with interactive discussions and Q&A sessions to engage employees and encourage further learning and dialogue.
Virtual Cultural Festival
A cultural festival can showcase the rich and diverse cultures of AAPI communities through food, music, and dance performances. Employees can dress up in traditional AAPI attire and participate in cultural activities such as learning how to make a traditional dish or dance style. This can be an excellent opportunity for employees to learn about and appreciate the cultural traditions and practices of AAPI communities.
A virtual cultural festival can be organized with the help of AAPI employee resource groups, local AAPI organizations, or even independent event planners. The festival can be opened up to families and friends of employees, which can make the celebration more inclusive and welcoming.
Book Club
Start a book club that focuses on literature by AAPI authors or features AAPI protagonists and stories. Reading and discussing books by AAPI authors can be an eye-opening experience that fosters understanding and empathy for the experiences of AAPI communities. The book club can be structured to assign a book to read each month and then hold virtual discussions to share insights and learn from each other's perspectives.
The book club should feature a diverse range of authors and genres, including memoirs, fiction, and poetry. This can provide an opportunity for employees to engage with different styles of writing and learn about a variety of AAPI experiences. The discussions can be facilitated by AAPI employee resource groups or other trained facilitators who can help guide conversations and ensure that all voices are heard.
Diversity and Inclusion Training
Partnering with a diversity and inclusion expert to hold virtual training sessions can be an effective way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in the workplace while also taking actionable steps to create a more inclusive workplace culture. These virtual sessions can explore how to create a workplace environment that is respectful and inclusive of AAPI employees by providing insights into topics such as microaggressions, unconscious bias, and allyship.
The training sessions can be facilitated by a diversity and inclusion expert who can provide best practices and tools to foster a more inclusive workplace culture. The expert can also answer any questions that employees may have about these topics, allowing them to engage in open and honest discussions about AAPI experiences in the workplace.
Virtual Panel Discussions
Organize virtual panel discussions with AAPI leaders in your industry to share their stories and insights on overcoming obstacles and achieving success in the workplace. These panel discussions can feature AAPI leaders from a variety of industries and backgrounds, who can share their personal stories and insights on overcoming obstacles and achieving success in the workplace.
By hosting these virtual panel discussions, organizations can provide a platform for AAPI leaders to share their experiences and inspire others. Employees can learn about the unique challenges faced by AAPI communities in the workplace and gain insights into how to build more diverse and inclusive teams. The discussions can be structured to allow for Q&A sessions or breakout sessions where employees can connect with panelists and network with other professionals in their industry.
AAPI Employee Spotlight
Highlight the accomplishments and contributions of AAPI employees with a virtual employee spotlight series that shares their stories and experiences. These spotlight series can feature AAPI employees from different departments and levels within the organization, highlighting their personal stories and experiences in the workplace.
These spotlight series can be shared through the company's website, social media pages, or during virtual events. Employees can be encouraged to engage with the series by sharing their own stories and experiences in the workplace, or leaving supportive comments on the spotlighted employee's story.
Virtual Volunteering
Organize a virtual volunteering event that supports AAPI communities in need. There are many ways to support AAPI communities, depending on the specific needs of the community and the resources available to your organization.
One way to support AAPI communities is to donate to AAPI-led organizations that support immigrant and refugee communities, such as legal aid organizations or community centers that provide essential services such as language assistance and job training. This can be a meaningful way to contribute to the long-term well-being of AAPI communities and to learn about the different issues they face.
When organizing a virtual volunteering event, it is important to work closely with local AAPI organizations to ensure that your efforts are aligned with their needs and priorities. Virtual events can be organized through online platforms such as Zoom or Google Meet, and employees can participate from the comfort of their own homes.
Virtual AAPI Heritage Month Trivia
Hosting AAPI Heritage Month trivia is a fun and engaging way to celebrate and learn about the contributions and achievements of AAPI individuals throughout history. Trivia can be organized through virtual platforms such as Kahoot or Quizlet, with questions focused on topics such as AAPI history, culture, and notable figures. Or, you can turn to a professional like Bar None Games, an AAPI-owned small business.
Trivia can be a great opportunity to educate employees about the diverse experiences and contributions of AAPI communities, while also encouraging teamwork and friendly competition. Trivia can also be customized to align with the specific interests and needs of your organization, such as highlighting the contributions of AAPI employees or focusing on AAPI-led innovations in your industry.
Virtual Film Screening
Host a virtual film screening that features movies or documentaries that celebrate AAPI heritage and culture - this can be an engaging way to learn about the AAPI experiences and perspectives in a fun and educational manner. Choose films that showcase AAPI representation and highlight different cultures within the AAPI community, such as the Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Filipino, Vietnamese, Indian, and Pacific Islander communities.
To make the virtual film screening more interactive, consider scheduling a virtual discussion or Q&A session afterwards. This can provide a platform for employees to share their thoughts and learn from each other's perspectives. Additionally, consider inviting AAPI experts or filmmakers to participate in the discussion to offer their insights and answer questions.
Social Media Campaign
Launch a social media campaign that highlights AAPI stories and experiences. This can involve creating a hashtag that employees can use to share their own stories, experiences, or insights on how to create a more inclusive workplace for AAPI employees. This can be done across different social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. To keep the campaign engaging, consider partnering with AAPI influencers or organizations and sharing their stories or content. Also, don't forget to thank and recognize AAPI employees for their contributions to the workplace, and share their accomplishments on social media to show appreciation for their hard work.
How can you support AAPI employees year-round?
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month is a great way to show support for AAPI employees, but it's important to remember that support shouldn't be limited to just one month. There are many ways to support AAPI employees year-round, such as creating a workplace culture that is inclusive and respectful of different cultures and backgrounds. This can include ongoing training sessions, mentorship programs, and initiatives to recruit and retain diverse talent. It's also important to listen to the experiences and perspectives of AAPI employees and to actively address any issues of bias or discrimination that arise in the workplace.
Having an Employee Resource Group (ERG) for AAPI employees can be a powerful way to provide ongoing support and resources. ERGs can create a sense of community and belonging for employees, while also providing opportunities for networking, professional development, and advocacy. By encouraging and supporting the formation of an AAPI ERG, organizations can demonstrate their commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace culture that values the contributions and perspectives of all employees.
Host an AAPI Heritage Month trivia event with Bar None Games
There are many virtual events for AAPI month that you can participate in to celebrate and support AAPI communities in the workplace. By coming together to learn, connect, and reflect, we can create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture for AAPI employees.
As an AAPI-owned small business, Bar None Games would love to be a part of your AAPI Heritage Month celebration! Choose from AAPI Heritage Month Trivia or AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Games - both of our AAPI Heritage Month virtual events are designed to be inclusive, educational, and fun.