DRC Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Resources

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which celebrates the cultures and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) across Eastern, South Central, Southeastern, and Western Asia and some 30,000 Pacific islands.

In October 1992, the U.S. Congress passed a law designating May as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month acknowledging the group’s substantial contributions to America, including building the first continental railroad in the U.S. as well as contributions to the arts, sciences, government, military, commerce, and education.

While May is a month to celebrate the Asian American/Pacific Islander community, it is also an opportunity to advocate for and support it. Today, U.S. Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders are facing microaggressions and violence, with more than 3,800 incidents reported since 2020, which is a 150% increase over the prior year.

The Dallas Regional Chamber remains committed to supporting and advancing inclusivity of all communities and we believe by advancing equity, we empower the region. Earlier this year, the DRC shared Ways You Can Take Action Against Anti-Asian Violence. Below are additional resources to learn more about Asian American/Pacific Islander month and Stop Asian Hate.

Read and Watch:

• • • Harvard Business Review | What Your Asian Employees Need Right Now
    • SHRM: Asian Americans Face Violence, Workplace Discrimination
    • Center for Global Education | Understanding Our Perceptions of Asian Americans

Virtual Events:

• • • May 3-24 | Asian Advancing Justice | Bystander Intervention Training
    • May 6 | Smithsonian – Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month
    • May 7 | Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship – Panel Discussion on Federal Resources for AAPI Businesses and Nonprofits

Ways to Support During AAPI Month:

• • • Support Asian employees and ERGs by hosting a culture competency and bystander intervention training or by using other tools found in the DiversityInc AAPI Heritage toolkit.
    • Highlight Asian employees internally and externally to support marginalized employees and community members and help combat unconscious bias and microaggressions.
    • Take a moment to learn about the AAPI cultures. Visit the United State Asian American Heritage month online tribute, which includes AAPI exhibits and collections.