Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Asia Society

Golden text reading Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on an indigo background, surrounded by multicolored flowers

Artwork by Leise Hook

Asia Society recognizes Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) with events, videos, interviews, and a spotlight on the accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Find out more about APAHM events across the organization, content highlighting AAPI history and current issues, podcasts, videos, archival and on-demand content, and much more!

Upcoming Events

  • In-person
    Dear Corky film shot
    Film
     /  New York

    Dear Corky: Screening and Conversation

    Wednesday 31 May 2023
    6:30 - 8 p.m.
    Join us for a special screening of Dear Corky, followed by a conversation with the film director Curtis Chin and Virgo Lee to honor the life and work of a beloved photographer. Moderated by Chris Kwok.
    Buy Tickets

Asian Americans Building America

Author Rajika Bhandari on Answering America’s Call
Current Affairs
 /  New York

Author Rajika Bhandari on Answering America’s Call

The international education expert shares with Kevin Rudd her journey from being an international student to an immigrant in America, in this latest episode of Asian Americans Building America.
Watch Now
Family Physician Kimberly Chang on Working for the Medically Underserved Communities
Current Affairs
 /  New York

Family Physician Kimberly Chang on Working for the Medically Underserved Communities

In the latest episode of Asian Americans Building America, the primary care doctor speaks with Kevin Rudd about promoting the health of vulnerable people.
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Award-winning Director Jennifer Phang on her Fast-rising Film Career
Arts
 /  New York

Award-Winning Director Jennifer Phang on her Fast-rising Film Career

The director of an upcoming Disney+ feature film talks about navigating her way through the TV and film industries with Kevin Rudd in the latest episode of Asian Americans Building America.
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Journalist Rekha Basu on Speaking Truth to Power
Current Affairs
 /  New York

Journalist Rekha Basu on Speaking Truth to Power

In the latest episode of Asian Americans Building America, the opinion writer shares with Kevin Rudd her journey towards writing about equality and justice.
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Author Malinda Lo on Pursuing Your Dreams
Current Affairs
 /  New York

Author Malinda Lo on Pursuing Your Dreams

The bestselling and critically acclaimed author of young adult novels tells Kevin Rudd how she achieved her childhood dream despite the odds, in the latest episode of Asian Americans Building America.
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Gender Advocate Grace Huang on the challenges of being an Asian American Woman
Current Affairs
 /  New York

Gender Advocate Grace Huang on Fighting for the Rights of Asian American Women

The long-time women’s rights advocate talks with Kevin Rudd about being discriminated against during childhood and how this informed her work. The conversation is part of Asia Society's video series Asian Americans Building America.
Watch Now

Related Content

BIPOC Book Fest 2023 023
Texas

Second Annual BIPOC Book Fest Spotlights Diversity, Representation in Literary World at Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas hosted the second annual BIPOC Book Fest for a day of unique programming, talks, and readings presented in partnership with the festival’s founders.
AST AAPI Mental Health Community Panel 2023
Texas

Mental Health Professionals Examine AAPI Access to Treatment, Resources

In partnership with Baylor Colleague of Medicine (BCM), Asia Society Texas hosted a panel discussion on issues related to AAPI access to mental healthcare resources.
Diversity Leadership Initiatives

Asia Society Congratulates Winners of 2023 Asian Corporate Survey Awards

Congratulations to overall best employer for AAPIs KPMG and all of our winners
KPOP Thumb

'KPOP' Musical Hits Broadway Standing Up to 'The Great White Way'

The first musical to embrace Korean culture was a celebration of the Asian community, but the Broadway show shuttered after just two weeks.
CeFaan Kim Reporter Photo

Journalist CeFaan Kim on Anti-Asian Violence

Journalist CeFaan Kim recounts what it was like to report stories of violence against Asian Americans during the height of the pandemic.
Bangladeshi men greet each other after finishing prayers for Eid al-Adha"

The American Dream of Bangladeshis

Photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani has spent years documenting New York's Bangladeshi American community.

Related Video

[The Glitch #09] AAPI Heritage Month: Celebrations and Challenges
Current Affairs
 /  Korea

[The Glitch #09] AAPI Heritage Month: Celebrations and Challenges

The Glitch reflects on the heritage month’s significance and importance.
Watch Now
South Asian Women Trailblazers
Current Affairs
 /  New York

South Asian Women Trailblazers

Anu Aiyengar, Jenifer Rajkumar, Snigdha Sur, Sue Varma, and Kanika Chadda Gupta share insights and celebrate their cultural heritage.
Watch Now
2023 GTDI Symposium: Applying Best Practices, Current Trends, and Measurable Data — Supporting the Advancement of AAPI Talent
Business
 /  New York

2023 GTDI Symposium: Applying Best Practices, Current Trends, and Measurable Data — Supporting the Advancement of AAPI Talent

Adrian Kwok, Yung-Yi Diana Pan, Dustin Oliver Ling, and Julie Blazevski explore the valuable role of data and metrics in bolstering career progression.
Watch Now
2023 GDTI Symposium: How to Build a Powerful Network of Strategic Allies
Business
 /  New York

2023 GTDI Symposium: How to Build a Powerful Network of Strategic Allies

Joy Chen presents a guide for Asian Americans in creating collaborative networks to accelerate promotion and amplify personal influence.
Watch Now
2023 GDTI Symposium: The Realness - Challenges to Advancement in the Workplace and How to Overcome Them
Business
 /  New York

2023 GTDI Symposium: The Realness — Challenges to Advancement in the Workplace and How to Overcome Them

Liem V. Do, Neerja Patel, Sushant Divgikar, Sy Stokes, Max Sevillia, and Salila Yohn share experiences and offer guidance on overcoming obstacles in the workplace.
Watch Now
2023 GDTI Symposium: State of the AAPI Community in the U.S. and the Need and Impact of Proactive, Inclusive Leadership
Business
 /  New York

2023 GTDI Symposium: State of the AAPI Community in the U.S. and the Need and Impact of Proactive, Inclusive Leadership

Bhavana Boggs, Shihana Mohamed, Ravi Aurora, TJ Castro Lim, Handel Lee, and Sana Manjeshwar explore challenges and opportunities in fostering a more cohesive AAPI community, both within and outside the workplace.
Watch Now

Past Events

Chinoiserie Redux
In-person
Film
 /  New York

Ping Chong’s Chinoiserie Redux: Screening and Discussion

24 May 2023
6:30 - 9 p.m.
New York Time
Calculate your local time »
The acclaimed theatre and interdisciplinary artist screens his latest documentary, which weaves personal reflections with historical threads of the opium wars, murder of Vincent Chin, construction of the transcontinental railroad, and more.
Blurring the Color Line poster
In-person
Film
 /  New York

‘Blurring the Color Line’

23 May 2023
6:30 - 8:15 p.m.
Join us for a special screening of the documentary “Blurring the Color Line,” followed by a conversation and Q&A with Crystal Kwok about the connected histories of tensions and co-existence between Black and Asian communities.
Deb Liu
In-person
Discussion
 /  Northern California

AAPI Executive Leadership: Reflecting on the Journey & Passing on the Legacy

23 May 2023
5 - 7 p.m.
San Francisco Time
Calculate your local time »
Ancestry.com CEO Deb Liu gives insights into her career journey and shares advice on how to advance diversity and inclusion at the executive level.
Gala Honoree Lineup Square
In-person
Special Event
 /  Southern California

2023 Annual Gala

21 May 2023
6 - 9 p.m.
Los Angeles Time
Calculate your local time »
An evening celebration honoring Nikesh Arora, Awkwafina, Sonia Cheng, Noriko Honda Chen, and Toni Ko, featuring a special sports tribute and a performance from Joya Kazi Entertainment!
Summoning Memories Symposium
In-person
Symposium
 /  Texas

Symposium: 'Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions'

19 May 2023
9:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Join Asia Society Texas for a symposium on the artists and issues featured in current exhibition 'Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions' to rethink and reimagine the practices of artists of Chinese and Chinese American descent.
Bank of America Women's Leadership Series: Houston's Leading News Anchors
In-person
Texas

Bank of America Women's Leadership Series

18 May 2023
6 - 8:15 p.m.
As part of the Bank of America Women's Leadership Series, join Asia Society Texas for a conversation with Houston's leading news anchors on memorable moments, career inspirations, and advice to the next generation of leaders in journalism.

About the Artist

Our APAHM graphics are by  Leise Hook. Leise is an Asian American cartoonist and illustrator based in New York City. Her work has appeared in The Believer, The New Yorker, and Catapult, and has been shortlisted for a National Magazine Award for Digital Storytelling and for the Cartoonist Studio Prize.

AAPI Month

Why Do We Celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?

Historian Ellen Wu goes through the key historical moments that led to the origin of the month and how it became an official celebration of the contributions of the AAPI community to American history, society, and culture.
Watch Now
2022 U.S.-Asia Entertainment Summit: Asian Women Empowered — Wavemakers in Animation A. Lim, D. Shi, J. Y. Nelson, J. Wu, R. Naito
Arts
 /  Southern California

AWE: Wavemakers in Animation

As part of the Asian Women Empowered (AWE) initiative, Adele Lim, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Domee Shi, Janet Wu, and Ramsey Naito discuss the growing impact of women in the sphere of animation.
Watch Now

31 Ways to Celebrate APAH Month 2023
Texas

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month 2023

Join us for 31 ways to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Enjoy a curated calendar of live events, recommendations, and on-demand content highlighting the traditions, talents, and contributions of Asians and Asian Americans.
Gala 2023 Rotunda
article
 /  Northern California

Event Recap: Asia Game Changer West Awards Gala 2023

April 19, 2023 — View photos and videos from ASNC's 25th Anniversary Gala Celebrating Asia Game Changer West Awards Honorees
ownvoices room
Education

#ownvoices Virtual Reading Room

CGE's #ownvoices Virtual Reading Room will feature authors of contemporary children’s fiction books about the Asian and Asian American experience. Authors will take questions or present an artistic or cultural activity after the reading!
Scott Kurashige and adrienne maree brown
Asia Society Triennial

Hacking the Syllabus: Resources

Syllabi, recordings, links, and other resources related to Asia Society Triennial's Hacking the Syllabus lecture and discussion series.
Standing in Solidarity with the Asian and Asian American Community

Standing in Solidarity With the Asian and Asian American Community

Asia Society responds to anti-Asian violence in the United States.

Asian Pacific Americans Q&A Series

Japanese Breakfast by Peter Ash Lee

Michelle Zauner on the Insular Process of Writing 'Crying in H Mart'

The Japanese Breakfast front woman explains why writing her first memoir 'Crying in H Mart' was more difficult than producing her albums.
Phillip Lim

Designer Phillip Lim Doesn't Want To 'Stay In His Lane'

In an interview with Asia Blog, Lim talks about using his platform to create change — and what more the fashion industry can be doing to fight anti-Asian hate.
A crowd fills a crowded station in Beijing

'Land of Big Numbers' Author Te-Ping Chen on Writing Her Way Through the Dark

The Wall Street Journal reporter talks to Asia Blog about her debut collection of short stories, which depict ordinary lives in China and of the Chinese diaspora.
Kim Saira Asia Blog

Activist and Artist Kim Saira on Social Justice and Social Media

Asian American artist Kim Saira has used her background in design to participate in social justice movements on social media.
Designer Prabal Gurung

Why Designer Prabal Gurung Doesn't Want To Just 'Stick to Fashion'

The Nepalese American immigrant is unafraid to use his platform to promote racial justice. "I have a right to voice my opinions and I do so through my work and activism."
Sophia Li, Photo by Lianna Tarantin

Sophia Li on Combating Anti-Asian Hate: ‘Our Fight Is Everyone’s Fight’

The journalist, filmmaker, and climate advocate calls for solidarity in overcoming systemic racism.
A scene from Never Have I Ever

'Never Have I Ever' Star Poorna Jagannathan on Saying No to Roles Portraying Indian Caricatures

The acclaimed actress discusses what attracted her to the role of Nalini Vishnakumar and why much more needs to be done in promoting gender equality.
Weijia Jiang

CBS News' Weijia Jiang on Newsroom Diversity, COVID-19 Racism, and Covering President Trump

The White House correspondent, who was recently subjected to a racially-tinged remark from President Trump at the White House, spoke to Asia Blog about why diversity in newsrooms has never been more urgent.