9 AAPI Month Celebration Ideas for Work
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of AAPI individuals to American society. As workplaces continue to thrive in virtual settings, it’s important to think of creative ways to celebrate AAPI Month at work. In this blog post, we’ll share AAPI Month celebration ideas for work that can be done virtually or in-person.
How do you celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work virtually?
Whether your team is fully remote or operating with a hybrid model, virtual events are a great way to allow everyone to be involved, even without everyone being in the office. Here are some virtual AAPI Month celebration ideas:
Host a virtual speaker series
Watch an AAPI movie or documentary
Host a virtual AAPI Heritage Month trivia game
Share AAPI stories on social media
Provide AAPI resources
Host a virtual speaker series
One great way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work is by hosting a virtual speaker series. This is an opportunity to invite AAPI leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts to speak about their experiences and contributions to society. It's a great way to educate your employees about the rich history and diverse cultures of AAPI individuals. You can organize a panel discussion or a series of individual talks, depending on your company's needs and preferences.
To find potential speakers, you can reach out to AAPI organizations or advocacy groups in your area. You can also search online for AAPI experts and leaders who are willing to speak at your event. Make sure to provide your speakers with a clear agenda, topic, and guidelines for their presentation to ensure that the event is organized and informative.
Watch an AAPI movie or documentary
Another way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work is by screening a movie or documentary that celebrates AAPI culture and history. This can be done virtually with the help of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. You can choose a movie or documentary that highlights AAPI experiences, struggles, and successes. This can help your employees gain a better understanding of AAPI history and culture, and can also provide a great opportunity for discussion and reflection.
Host a virtual AAPI Heritage Month trivia game
Host a virtual AAPI Heritage Month trivia game to engage your employees in a fun and interactive way. You can create trivia questions around categories like AAPI history, culture, and achievements. You can also offer prizes for the winners, such as gift cards or company swag. Turn to the help of a professional game night company like Bar None Games (which is AAPI-owned!) for unique content and a seamless experience. This is a great way to encourage your employees to learn more about AAPI history and culture while also fostering team building and friendly competition. Plus, it's a great way to bring some fun and lightheartedness to the workplace during AAPI Heritage Month.
Share AAPI stories on social media
Encouraging your employees to share stories about their AAPI heritage on social media is another great way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. This can be done by creating a hashtag for your company or department, such as #MyAAPIStory or #AAPIHeritageMonth. Employees can share personal stories, family traditions, cultural practices, and other aspects of their AAPI identity. This can help build a sense of community and belonging among employees, while also promoting diversity and inclusion.
Provide AAPI resources
Sharing resources that can help your employees learn more about AAPI history and culture is another great way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work. This can include articles, books, podcasts, and videos. You can compile a list of resources and share it with your employees through email, social media, or your company's intranet. You can also provide physical copies of books and other materials for your employees to borrow or keep.
What kind of activities can you plan for AAPI Heritage Month at work?
In addition to virtual events, there are many other activities that you can plan to celebrate AAPI Month at work if your team is in the office. Here are some in-person AAPI Month celebration ideas:
Food festival
Cultural workshops
Book Club
Virtual tours
Food festival
A food festival that celebrates AAPI cuisine is a great way to immerse your employees in the rich and diverse flavors of AAPI culture. This is an event that you can organize either in-person or virtually. Invite local AAPI restaurants to participate in the festival or ask your employees to share their favorite AAPI recipes. Encourage your employees to bring their families along and create a fun and lively atmosphere. You can also hire AAPI musicians and performers to add to the festive ambiance of the event.
Cultural workshops
Hosting cultural workshops is another excellent way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work. These workshops can teach your employees about AAPI history and culture and can include traditional crafts, music, dance, and martial arts. Invite AAPI cultural experts or hire professional instructors to teach your employees about different aspects of AAPI culture. Not only will your employees gain a deeper appreciation for AAPI culture, but they'll also have fun trying out new things and learning new skills.
Book club
Starting a book club that focuses on AAPI literature is a great way to encourage your employees to learn more about AAPI experiences and perspectives. You can choose a variety of books, including both fiction and non-fiction, that cover different AAPI themes and topics. For example, "The Joy Luck Club" by Amy Tan is a classic novel that explores the relationships between Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-born daughters. "When Breath Becomes Air" by Paul Kalanithi is a memoir that reflects on the author's experiences as a neurosurgeon and cancer patient. "Asian American Dreams" by Helen Zia is a non-fiction book that examines the struggles and successes of Asian Americans in the United States. By hosting a book club, you can encourage your employees to engage in thoughtful discussions and gain new insights into AAPI culture and experiences.
Virtual tours
Organizing virtual tours of AAPI landmarks and cultural institutions is another great way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work. You can arrange for virtual tours of museums, temples, and historical sites that are significant to AAPI history and culture. This can be a great way for your employees to learn more about AAPI contributions to society and gain a better understanding of AAPI experiences and perspectives. You can also invite AAPI historians and experts to give presentations or lead discussions after the virtual tours.
Why is it important to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work?
AAPI Heritage Month was first celebrated in May 1979, when Congress passed a resolution to recognize the contributions of AAPI individuals to American society. May was chosen to commemorate the first Japanese immigrants who arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843, and to coincide with the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, which was built in part by Chinese immigrants.
Since then, AAPI Heritage Month has been celebrated annually in May, with various events and activities organized to promote AAPI culture and history. Celebrating AAPI Month at work is important for several reasons:
Promotes Diversity and Inclusion
By celebrating AAPI culture and history, you’re promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Diversity and inclusion are essential for creating a positive and productive work environment, where all employees feel valued and respected. When employees feel included, they are more likely to be engaged and motivated, which can lead to better business outcomes.
Raises Awareness
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month raises awareness about the contributions of AAPI individuals to American society. AAPI individuals have made significant contributions to various fields, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), arts, politics, and business. By recognizing their achievements, we can combat stereotypes and promote understanding and respect among our employees.
Builds Community
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month can help build a sense of community among your employees. A sense of community is especially important in virtual settings, where employees may feel isolated and disconnected. By organizing virtual events and activities, you can bring your employees together and create a shared sense of purpose and belonging.
Attracts and Retains Talent
Companies that celebrate diversity and inclusion are more likely to attract and retain talent from different backgrounds. When employees see that your company values diversity and inclusion, they are more likely to feel welcome and included. This can help your company become more innovative and competitive in the long run.
Host a virtual AAPI Heritage Month trivia event with Bar None Games
AAPI Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of AAPI individuals to American society. By celebrating AAPI Month at work, you’re not only honoring AAPI culture and history, but you’re also promoting diversity and inclusion, raising awareness, building community, and attracting and retaining talent.
As you plan your AAPI Month celebrations, it’s important to remember that this is not a one-time event, but a continuous effort to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. By incorporating AAPI culture and history into your company’s values and practices, you’re creating a more welcoming and supportive environment for all employees, regardless of their background.
As an AAPI-owned small business, Bar None Games would love to be a part of your AAPI Month celebration! With two unique offerings, Trivia and Celebration Games, our content celebrates AAPI culture, history, and achievements while also creating a fun environment that is ideal for team building.