Last Updated: May 22, 2023

We at Team AgLearn take this time each May to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month and reconfirm the importance of ensuring equity and opportunity for the Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPIs) throughout the United States.

This heritage month originated in June 1977, when Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Mineta of California called upon the President to proclaim the first 10 days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. In October 1978, President Jimmy Carter expanded the observance as an annual celebration; and, 12 years later President George H.W. Bush extended the week-long celebration to a month.  The official designation of May as AAPI Heritage Month was signed into law in 1992. The month of May was chosen to observe AAPI for several reasons, including to commemorate the first Japanese who came to the country in May of 1843, and to mark the May 1869 completion of the Transcontinental Railroad which involved the labor of many Chinese immigrants. The AANHPI community is made up of culturally and linguistically - diverse people, representing populations from many countries and islands.

• More information about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month External Link
• AANHPI Heritage Month Information and Resources from USDA OASCR External Link

Presidential Statements and Actions for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

The information below is a portion of content quoted from President Biden's Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2023 External Link.

"During Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, our Nation celebrates the diversity of cultures, breadth of achievement, and remarkable contributions of these communities; of brave immigrants who, motivated by the promise of possibilities, picked up their lives and found new homes here; of native peoples who have stewarded these lands since time immemorial; and of community leaders shaping a brighter future for us all."

Resources:

• President Biden's Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (April 28, 2023) External Link
• Executive Order on Advancing Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (May 28, 2021) External Link
• FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris Administration Advances Equity and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Communities Across the Country (January 20, 2022) External Link
• President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders External Link
• White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) External Link

AgLearn Resources

LinkedIn Learning

• Course: Understanding and Supporting Asian Employees External Link
• Course: Women Transforming Tech: Breaking Bias External Link
• Course: Speaking Up for Yourself and Underrepresented Groups External Link
• Course: Social Interactions for Multinational Teams External Link
• Course: Equity First: The Path to Inclusion and Belonging External Link

Percipio-Skillsoft

• eBook: How Asian Women Lead: Lessons for Global Corporations External Link
• Audiobook: The Making of Asian America: A History External Link
• eBook: The Visibility Mindset: How Asian American Leaders Create Opportunities and Push Past Barriers External Link
• Audiobook: An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States: Revisioning American History External Link
• Learning Channel: Creating Cultures of Inclusion External Link