Asian American, Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month originated with Congress in the late 1970s. Since its origin, it has honored many different populations, countries and islands that it collectively represents.
In 2023, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawai’ians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) convened federal government officials and community leaders to mark the inaugural release of the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawai’ian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Communities. At a special virtual event, senior Biden-Harris Administration officials outlined the details of 32 federal agency plans, which build on the Administration’s previous actions to promote safety and equity for AA and NHPIs. Community leaders also discussed additional steps the federal government can take to address critical priorities for a National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice & Opportunity for AA & NHPI Communities, including data disaggregation, language access, and combatting anti-Asian hate.
Today, we celebrate the heritage of our nation’s Asian American, Native Hawai’ian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) people, whose ingenuity, grit, and perseverance have pushed our great American experiment forward. Read the 2024 Proclamation on Asian American, Native Hawai’ian, and Pacific Islander Heritage and learn more about the 2024 AANHPI Heritage Month Celebration >>
As designated by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), the national theme for 2024 is “Advancing Leaders Through Innovation.” This theme honors the visionaries who have shaped Asian, Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander history and those who mark the present and influence the future. The Council encourages local and national governments to prioritize creating leadership and advancement opportunities for Asian, Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander peoples.
Additionally, The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawai’ians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center issued a call for intergenerational connection, action, and reflection by unveiling a joint theme “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future” for 2024.
Join us in-person for FREE Mental Health Education and Conversations as we navigate the various stigmas that withhold the Pacific Islander community from seeking mental health therapy.
What is Cultural Fatigue? And do I have it?
Thursday, June 13th at 6:00p (PT)
3513 Portland Ave E | Tacoma, WA
In this session, participants will explore and define cultural fatigue and how it shows up in our bodies, culture, and communities, we are a part of. Learn more & share >>
Runaways: A Two-Part Conversation
Monday, June 10 at 6:00p (PT)
3513 Portland Ave E | Tacoma, WA
In this session, participants will take part in a two-part discussion exploring how it feels to want to run away, for teens and their parents. Learn more & share >>
2024 API-GBV National Summit: Growing from Our Roots
Early Bird Registration NOW OPEN through June 1st!
Monday, August 27 – Wednesday, August 29
Hotel Nikko at 222 Mason St. | San Francisco, CA
Presented by: Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence (API-GBV)
The API-GBV proudly invites you to the 2024 National Summit! As a culturally specific national resource center, API-GBV is dedicated to disrupting gender-based violence in Asian/Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. This year’s theme is Growing from Our Roots. The Summit will focus on four key areas: uplifting voices, building capacity, engaging allies, and advocating for policies and practices. In addition to the keynote address, the Summit will feature a variety of workshops and panels covering topics such as trauma-informed care, culturally specific interventions, and community mobilization. Attendees are encouraged to network and connect with other advocates and professionals. Learn more & register >>
Use these resources year-round to learn, teach, experience & reflect:
Asia Pacific Cultural Center
Pacific Islander Community Association of WA
Visit Seattle to learn how Asian Pacific Americans have played prominent roles in Seattle’s history since it’s settlement
YMCA of Greater Seattle Community Conversation, Exploring Asian American Identities
UW Presidential Blog: Honoring Asian American, Native Hawai’ian and Pacific Islander heritage — past, present and future
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
Honoring AA & NHPI Heritage Month with Kids
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Census Bureau
Are You “AAPI” or “Asian American”? It’s Complicated.
A Daughter’s Healing Journey of Intergenerational Trauma
What’s in a name? Exploring the evolution and origin of AANHPI Heritage Month
New Study ID’s Cardiovascular Risks with Asian American Populations
Behavioral Health Equity
Recipes to Celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month
Top 5 Reads for AANHPI Heritage Month
Books for All Ages
12 Asian and Pacific Islander Seattleites You Should Know About
Crying in H Mart: A Memoir
Minor Feelings: An Asian American Reckoning
Shades of Hate: A Deeper Understanding of Asian American and Pacific Islander Experiences
EDIA 365: Thriving in a Third Culture
Source: Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), The Huddle (UW), The Library of Congress, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (OMH), and the White House Initiative on AA and NHPIs (WHIAANHPI).