We are sending this note as part of our ongoing work to learn more about the wonderful diversity of our staff and those in our care:
Sunday, May 1 – Tuesday, May 31
May is Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of the contributions and influence of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) to the history, culture, and achievement of the United States. Asian and Pacific Islanders encompasses all the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island).
According to the 2020 census, an estimated 24 million people make up the AAPI community nationwide. California has the largest Asian American population in the U.S. and 30.1% of California’s Asian population reside in Los Angeles County.
In 1977, New York Representative Frank Horton proposed proclaiming the first 10 days of May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, which was backed by Hawaii Senator Daniel Inouye. President Jimmy Carter signed it into Public Law 95-419 on October 5, 1978. In 1992, under the George W. Bush administration, May was annually designated as Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month.
More Information on the History of Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month HERE
Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in LA
There will be various events all around Los Angeles to honor AAPI Heritage Month. The Chicago Women’s Alliance is teaming up with the Alumni Club of Los Angeles to host AAPI Stories of Love, Resilience and Overcoming Hate that will open discussion on various experiences that have molded individuals as Asian Americans. There will also be the Pan-Asian Pacific Arts and Cultural Festival in Northridge that will celebrate many diverse Asian cultures through their art, music, dance, food, and more!
More Events for AAPI Heritage Month
More ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month include trying new recipes and dishes from various Asian countries and discover Asian art and Asian American history through institutions like museums and local libraries.
CLICK HERE for L.A. Museums that exhibit Asian art collections and cultural artifacts
CLICK HERE for Books to read for AAPI Heritage Month
CLICK HERE for Highest Rated Asian restaurants in Los Angeles
CLICK HERE for Authentic Asian recipes to try at home
We honor the AAPI community’s varied histories, celebrate the beauty and richness of their cultures, remain vigilant in our efforts to address discrimination and injustice, and work to create and support meaningful change for the community.
Happy Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month,
June Simmons and the Executive Staff
