Let’s Celebrate the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a month-long celebration which recognizes the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). In 1977, U.S. congressional lawmakers proposed bills for the creation of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. After passing a law for a 7-day commemoration in 1978, Congress passed a law in 1992 which annually designated May as Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. We are also hopeful that thru this blog, our Canadian members will become aware of this celebration and moreover, learn more about the challenges Asian Canadians face event industry professionals face, and more importantly how we can find solutions.

What is the APIEventsProfs?

The role of APIs in the meetings and events industry has historically flown under the radar.

They have been under-represented in the industry leadership and social media. COVID-19 has increased anti-API sentiment and violence towards API groups including those who work in meeting and events industry. The APIEventProfs Group was formed to amplify these voices and offers a few spaces to spur discussion, identify challenges and find solutions specific to meetings and events through the LinkedIn and Facebook groups and industry programming. The mission of both groups is to “educate and elevate the role of Asian Pacific Islanders in the meeting and event profession, including educating about the rise of API related hate crimes and their impact on our industry”.

How can I get involved?

Here are ways you can celebrate AAPIHM month and support APIEventProfs — not just this month, but all year round.

1. Tune in or check out the AAPI Heritage programming through the Heritage Month Festival 2022, Stop Asian Hate, to learn how Asians are contributing, why it's important to you and what can you do.  They take place every Wednesday, 3-5 p.m. ET (12-2 p.m. PT) Join using this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIkf-ioqz0tHdRXHt36MOflxUipbYa7molk
2. Join the APIEventsProf Group where the mission is to EDUCATE and ELEVATE the role of Asian Pacific Islanders in the meetings and event profession, including educating about the rise of API related hate crimes and their impact on our industry.
   

   Linkedin

   Facebook

   Ensure you join the MPI AAPI Forum, a safe space to receive support, have conversations, represent and amplify the voices of the Asian community and provide resources that help stand for justice.

   MPI AAPI Forum

1. Explore AAPI History

   The history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is the core of this observance. PBS has a great documentary series about the history of identity, contributions and challenges experienced by Asian Americans

2. Support Your AAPI Community

The Asian community has experienced an uptick of hate incidents, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. Learn, speak up when you see or hear anti-Asian sentiment.

• Stop AAPI Hate
• Jolene Jang #Stop Asian Hate Advocacy and Asian Allies FB Group
• Bystander Training

About the Author:
Jenny Ng, CMP
Event Planning Senior Manager, National Co+Op Grocers