As you grow a business, the focus tends to be on how to get more clients and make more money. But business owners should also focus their efforts on community involvement. The month of May is a perfect time to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage month and recognize the monumental contributions made by its members.
There are several ways a business can celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month, but one of the most impactful ways is to recognize employees and clients who identify with these cultural groups. In this post, we’ll briefly explore why we have AANHPI month, and hear what this historical month means for some Vagaro employees.
Why Do We Celebrate AANHPI Month?
AANHPI Month honors the arrival of the first Japanese citizens in the United States in May of 1843. It also commemorates the Chinese workers who helped build the Transcontinental Railroad in May of 1869. To coincide with each historical event, U.S. congress marked the first ten days of May as Asian American and Pacific Islanders Week, and later extended it to a month-long celebration.
In 2000, Native Hawaiians were also included to create a more inclusive celebration, and in 2021, President Biden proclaimed May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AANHPI).
How Your Business Can Celebrate
There are several ways to get your business & employees involved in AANHPI month. To start, you can:
- Host a cultural day & have employees participate in activities such as sharing favorite foods, music & dance
- Support local AANHPI businesses & attend cultural events
- Highlight contributions from your AANHPI employees One of the most impactful ways a business or individual can support Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is to learn and respect the differences of each ethnic group.
According to the United States Census Bureau:
Asian American is defined as “a person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia or the Indian subcontinent.” The six largest sub-groups of Asian Americans are from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines and India. Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander is defined as “a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa or other Pacific Islands.”
Vagaro’s AANHPI Community
As mentioned above, a great way for a business to participate in AANHPI Month is to highlight employees who represent the culture. Doing so provides opportunities for learning among colleagues, as well as the promotion of diversity & inclusion in the workplace.
Two employees from Vagaro shared what being a part of the Asian diaspora means to them, and how other cultures can help support AANHPI heritage year-round.
Ashley, Vagaro Merchant Services Manager
What does AANHPI Heritage Month mean to you?
AANHPI Heritage month reminds me to reflect on my family’s journey from Fiji to the US. I am proud of their ability to adapt to a new country, while still maintaining a sense of the island vibe & life.
Does your family have any traditions that are especially important to you?
Sharing a bowl of kava with family and friends. Kava is an important part of Fijian culture and used as a symbol friendship, hospitality & goodwill.
What do you think other cultures and organizations can do to better support this community, not just during AAPI Heritage Month, but year-round?
Maintain an open mind to different experiences and go to a Kava bar at least once!
Natalie, Enterprise Sales Representative
What makes you proud to be part of the AANHPI community?
Well, my mother is Filipino/Spanish, and my father is Filipino/Irish. And what I love about Filipino culture is we are known for our hospitality.
What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?
AANHPI Heritage Month means that being Asian is something to be proud of. Our culture has so much to offer—from cuisine to music and more! And I love when my American friends ask me questions about my culture because it gives me an opportunity to share a piece of who I am.
What do you think other cultures and organizations can do to better support this community, not just during AAPI Heritage Month, but year-round?
I think people from all nationalities should share their culture with their children, so traditions and family values can be passed to the next generations.
As an entrepreneur, it’s important to remember that staying involved in community & cultural events is an important component to building a business. Not only will it expose your business to a broader audience, but it’s also a chance to learn & develop new relationships and community connections. Happy AANHPI Month, from Vagaro! SOAP Note Examples for Mental Health