8 Ways to Celebrate Asian Pacific Heritage Month at Work
Each May, we celebrate and honor Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the contributions and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in the United States. This month provides an opportunity to honor the rich cultural heritage and history of the AAPI community.
As we continue to work towards creating more inclusive and diverse workplaces, celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at work is an important step. It not only recognizes the contributions of AAPI individuals, but also promotes cultural awareness and understanding.
How to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in the workplace
Here are eight ways to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at work:
Support AAPI-owned businesses
Organize an AAPI film screening
Host a cultural potluck
Share AAPI history and culture
Organize a guest speaker
Plan an AAPI art exhibition
Volunteer with AAPI organizations
1. Host a Virtual AAPI Heritage Month Trivia
A virtual AAPI Heritage Month trivia game is a fun and interactive way to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. It can help educate and engage employees about the history, culture, and accomplishments of the AAPI community. The trivia can be organized on platforms like Kahoot, TriviaMaker, or any other quiz-making website. Questions can include notable AAPI figures, food, traditions, and other significant contributions to American culture. Or, use a professional like Bar None Games, which offers two fully themed AAPI Heritage Month games, including trivia. (plus, we’re an AAPI-owned small business!).
To make the game more engaging, you can divide employees into teams and have them compete against each other. You can also offer prizes to the winners, such as gift cards to AAPI-owned businesses or restaurants.
2. Support AAPI-Owned Businesses
Speaking of AAPI-owned businesses and restaurants…supporting AAPI-owned businesses is a great way to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Encourage employees to buy from local AAPI-owned businesses and restaurants. You can provide a list of AAPI-owned businesses in the area or highlight a different AAPI-owned business each week.
Organizing a team lunch or dinner from an AAPI-owned restaurant is another way to show support. This not only supports the community but also exposes employees to new and different cuisines. You can even have employees share their favorite AAPI-owned restaurants and dishes with each other.
3. Organize an AAPI Film Screening
Organizing an AAPI film screening is another way to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Pick out films directed or produced by AAPI individuals or that depict the AAPI experience. Some examples of AAPI films include "The Joy Luck Club," "Crazy Rich Asians," and "Minari."
After the screening, you can have a discussion or Q&A session to engage employees and encourage them to share their thoughts and opinions. This can help promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of AAPI culture and experiences.
4. Host a Cultural Potluck
Organizing a cultural potluck is a great way to celebrate the diversity of the AAPI community. Encourage employees to bring in dishes that are reflective of their culture or heritage. This is a great way to introduce new cuisines and flavors to the workplace.
To make the potluck more engaging, you can have employees share the history and significance of the dishes they bring in. This can help promote cultural awareness and understanding among employees.
5. Share AAPI History and Culture
Educating employees about AAPI history and culture is an important part of celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. You can send out regular emails or newsletters highlighting different aspects of AAPI culture and history.
Some topics you can cover include notable AAPI figures, significant historical events, and cultural traditions. You can also share resources and books about AAPI history and culture to encourage employees to learn more.
6. Organize a Guest Speaker Event
Hosting a guest speaker event is a great way to bring in an expert on AAPI history and culture. You can invite a guest speaker to give a talk on their area of expertise, followed by a Q&A session. This can help educate employees and promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of AAPI culture and contributions. You can also record the event and share it with employees who were unable to attend.
7. Plan an AAPI Art Exhibition
An AAPI art exhibition can be a great way to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. It can showcase the work of AAPI artists and their contributions to the art world.
To organize the exhibition, you can reach out to local AAPI artists or galleries. You can also have a panel discussion or Q&A session with the artists to engage employees and encourage them to learn more.
8. Volunteer with AAPI Organizations
Volunteering with AAPI organizations is a purposeful way to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. Reach out to local AAPI organizations and find out how your workplace can volunteer or donate.
This can help support the community and provide employees with a meaningful way to give back. You can also encourage employees to volunteer individually and share their experiences with the rest of the team.
Why is it important to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month?
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month is important for several reasons. First, it helps to recognize and honor the contributions of the AAPI community to American society. From the transcontinental railroad to Silicon Valley, AAPIs have played a vital role in shaping American history and culture.
Also, celebrating AAPI Heritage Month can help to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond. By learning about different cultures and perspectives, we can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the AAPI community, as well as other underrepresented groups.
In addition, celebrating AAPI Heritage Month can help to combat racism and discrimination. In recent years, there has been a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and xenophobia in the United States. By celebrating the contributions and achievements of the AAPI community, we can help to counter negative stereotypes and promote positive change.
Finally, celebrating AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to learn and grow as individuals and as a society. By exploring the rich history, culture, and traditions of the AAPI community, we can expand our knowledge and understanding of the world around us.
How can you bring cultural awareness to a workplace?
As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, it's important to remember that cultural awareness is something that should be promoted year-round in the workplace. Here are some tips on how you can bring cultural awareness to your workplace:
Promote Diversity and Inclusion: Promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace is essential for creating a culture that values and embraces different cultures and perspectives. Encourage open communication, collaboration, and respect for all employees, regardless of their background.
Offer Cultural Sensitivity Training: Offering cultural sensitivity training can help employees better understand different cultures and perspectives. This can help create a more inclusive workplace and reduce misunderstandings or conflicts.
Celebrate Different Holidays and Traditions: Celebrating different holidays and traditions can be a fun and engaging way to promote cultural awareness. Encourage employees to share their own traditions and cultures and provide opportunities for everyone to participate and learn.
Create a Diversity Committee: Creating a diversity committee can help promote cultural awareness and inclusivity in the workplace. The committee can be responsible for organizing events, sharing resources and information, and promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the workplace.
Recognize and Celebrate Diversity: Finally, it's important to recognize and celebrate diversity in the workplace. This can be done by highlighting the contributions of different employees and cultures, and promoting an environment where everyone feels valued and appreciated.
Incorporating these practices into your workplace can help create a culture of diversity, inclusion, and cultural awareness. By celebrating different cultures and perspectives, we can create a more welcoming and supportive workplace for everyone.
Host a virtual AAPI Heritage Month trivia event with Bar None Games
Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at work is a great way to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. By taking the time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of the AAPI community, we can create a more welcoming and inclusive environment for all employees.
From virtual trivia games to supporting AAPI-owned businesses and organizing cultural potlucks, there are many ways to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at work. By engaging employees and encouraging them to learn more about AAPI history and culture, we can promote a deeper understanding and appreciation of the community.
It's also important to remember that celebrating AAPI heritage doesn't just happen in May. It's something we should strive to do year-round, by promoting diversity and inclusion in all aspects of our work and personal lives.