How to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at Work
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States, a time to celebrate the rich cultural diversity and contributions of AAPI communities. In the workplace, it's important to acknowledge and recognize the experiences of AAPI individuals, and this month presents an excellent opportunity to do so. In this blog post, we'll discuss how you can celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work and why it's essential to do so.
What are Some Ways You Can Celebrate AAPI Month?
Whether you’re a fully remote, hybrid, or in-person team, there are many ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work. Here are some ideas:
Host a speaker series
Organize a cultural potluck
Share resources and information
Highlight AAPI colleagues
Volunteer or donate to AAPI organizations
Display artwork or decorations
Participate in AAPI Heritage Month events
Host a film screening
Conduct a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training
Create a Mentorship Program
Host a Speaker Series
Invite AAPI leaders or experts in your industry to speak to your team about their experiences or expertise. These speakers can provide valuable insights into their experiences and perspectives, as well as offer guidance and advice on a variety of topics related to their industry. By learning from AAPI leaders, you can broaden your team's perspectives and deepen their understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing AAPI communities. Additionally, recording the talks and making them available for later viewing can ensure that all employees have access to the information and insights shared during the event. This can be especially beneficial for employees who may not have been able to attend the event in person or who would like to revisit the content at a later time.
Organize a Cultural Potluck
Encouraging your team to bring in dishes that reflect their cultural heritage is not only a fun way to learn about different cultures and try new foods, but it can also foster a sense of community and connection among team members (food is a central pillar of communities!). By celebrating and sharing cultural foods, team members can learn more about each other's backgrounds, traditions, and values, promoting cross-cultural understanding and respect. You can even make it a competition and award prizes for the best dishes to add an element of friendly competition and excitement, creating a memorable and engaging experience for all involved.
Share Resources and Information
Share articles, videos, or books that highlight the experiences and contributions of AAPI communities. This can be done through email newsletters, company intranet, or even a dedicated Slack channel. You can also organize a book club or a movie night to discuss and reflect on the materials (see more on movie nights below!).
Highlight AAPI Colleagues
Feature AAPI colleagues in your company's newsletter or social media. This is a great way to acknowledge their contributions and to give them visibility within the company. You can also interview them and share their stories on your website or blog. In addition to featuring AAPI colleagues in your company's newsletter or social media, you can also consider highlighting their contributions in other ways. For example, you can feature their stories in a company-wide email or on the company's website, showcasing their successes and contributions to the organization.
Volunteer or Donate to AAPI Organizations
Organizing a company-wide volunteer day or making a donation to AAPI organizations is a great way to take action and make a meaningful impact. By partnering with AAPI organizations for community service or fundraising events, you can help to build stronger relationships with these organizations and demonstrate your commitment to supporting AAPI communities. Involving employees in these efforts can help to foster a sense of community and teamwork, and can create a more positive and fulfilling workplace culture. By giving back and supporting AAPI organizations, you can make a tangible difference in the lives of others and help to promote a more equitable and just society for all.
Display Artwork or Decorations
Decorate your office with AAPI-themed artwork or decorations. By showcasing AAPI art and culture in the workplace, you can help to create a more vibrant and engaging environment that celebrates diversity and promotes inclusivity. Organizing an art exhibit or cultural fair can be a unique way to showcase the diverse talents and creativity of AAPI communities, while also giving employees an opportunity to learn more about AAPI history and culture.
Participate in AAPI Heritage Month Events
Check to see if there are any AAPI Heritage Month events in your area and encourage your team to attend. This is a great way to connect with the local community and to learn more about AAPI culture. You can also organize a field trip or a team-building activity to attend these events together.
You can also participate in a virtual event, such as Bar None Games’ Trivia or AAPI Heritage Month Celebration Games, brought to you by an AAPI-owned small business. This provides a fun and educational experience for you team, whether they’re working from home or from the office.
Host a Film Screening
Organizing a screening of a film or documentary is an excellent way to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month in the workplace. It provides an opportunity for employees to learn more about AAPI history and culture, and to spark conversation and discussion around important issues facing AAPI communities. Selecting a film or documentary that explores AAPI experiences or highlights AAPI leaders can be particularly impactful, as it provides a platform for these stories to be shared and celebrated. After the screening, consider inviting guest speakers or organizing a panel discussion to deepen the conversation and provide a forum for employees to ask questions and share their thoughts. This can help to create a more inclusive and open workplace culture, where all employees feel valued and heard.
Conduct a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Training
Conducting a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Training with a specific focus on AAPI experiences and history is an excellent way to build a more inclusive workplace culture. By providing employees with a better understanding of AAPI perspectives, experiences, and history, you can help to create a more empathetic and supportive workplace environment. In addition to inviting AAPI leaders or experts to speak at the training, you can also encourage employees to share their own experiences and insights, creating a collaborative and open learning environment. By prioritizing DEI training and education, organizations can create a culture of continuous learning and growth, where all employees feel valued, heard, and supported.
Create a Mentorship Program
Consider creating a mentorship program that connects AAPI employees with senior leaders or mentors within the organization. A mentorship program can provide AAPI employees with a dedicated support system, helping to build their confidence, skills, and connections. Additionally, mentorship programs can help to build more diverse and inclusive leadership pipelines, ensuring that AAPI employees have equal access to opportunities for advancement within the organization.
Why is AAPI Heritage Month important?
AAPI Heritage Month is important because it provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the diverse experiences and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. It's a time to honor the achievements and history of AAPI individuals, and to deepen understanding and empathy for their experiences. This month allows organizations to create a more inclusive and welcoming workplace culture, where all employees feel valued and appreciated. By celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, we can increase awareness and appreciation for the rich and diverse cultures that make up our society, and work towards a more equitable and just future for all.
Why Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at Work?
AAPI Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize and appreciate the diversity of your colleagues. Taking the time to acknowledge the contributions of AAPI individuals creates a more inclusive and welcoming work environment. It's also an opportunity to learn about the history and experiences of AAPI communities, which can lead to greater empathy and understanding.
By celebrating AAPI Heritage Month at work, you're sending a clear message that your organization values diversity and is committed to creating a culture of inclusion. This can have a positive impact on employee morale, productivity, and retention, and it can also help your organization attract top talent.
The Importance of DEI in the Workplace
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are essential components of a successful and healthy workplace culture. DEI initiatives promote fairness, respect, and understanding among all employees, regardless of their background or identity. By prioritizing DEI, organizations can attract and retain a more diverse talent pool, which has been shown to improve business performance and innovation. DEI also fosters a sense of belonging and psychological safety, where employees feel valued and supported in their differences. By creating an inclusive workplace culture, organizations can create a more harmonious and productive work environment, where employees can thrive and bring their whole selves to work.
Host an AAPI Heritage Month Virtual Event with Bar None Games
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month at work is an important way to acknowledge and recognize the contributions of AAPI communities. By taking the time to learn about AAPI experiences and culture, you can create a more inclusive and welcoming work environment. There are many ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, from hosting a speaker series to volunteering or donating to AAPI organizations. By incorporating AAPI Heritage Month into your workplace culture, you're sending a clear message that diversity and inclusion are important values for your organization.
As an AAPI-owned small business, Bar None Games would love to be a part of your AAPI Heritage Month programming. We offer two fully themed, unique events - Trivia and Celebration Games - that are an educational, engaging experience for your team.
