Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed annually in May to recognize the cultural, experiential, and historical contributions of Asian American, Pacific Islander American, and Native Hawaiian individuals and groups.

Below, we have included helpful resources to help you honor, learn, and celebrate.

What To Read

Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now by Jeff Yang, Phil Yu, and Philip Wang – A New York Times Best Seller, this read is a historical, cultural, and dynamic tour through the past 30 years of Asian American history.
Thank You, Mr. Nixon by Gish Jen – A collection of eleven short stories that share unique experiences and identities of Chinese Americans through five decades of history.
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng – The story of a picture-perfect family and mother-daughter pair living in a progressive suburban town that slowly starts to unravel.

What To Listen To

“Mx. Asian American” hosted by Karen Zheng – A podcast about the Asian American experience that often features creators, politicians, business leaders, and more to weigh in on the conversation.
“Saturday School” hosted by Brian Hu and Ada Tseng – Part of Potluck, a podcast collection featuring unique perspectives and stories from the Asian American community. This podcast covers Asian American pop-culture history.
“TigerBelly” hosted by Bobby Lee – Bobby Lee and his best friend Khalyla cover everything from celebrity gossip to hilarious stories in this comedic podcast.

What To Watch

“Everything Everywhere All At Once” written and directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert – Winning seven out of eleven nominations at the 95th Academy Awards, this absurdist comedy-drama follows the story of a Chinese American woman who navigates interdimensional realities in order to save her world.
“Minari” written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung – The story of a South Korean American family who move to rural Arkansas in search of the American dream.
“TigerTail” directed by Alan Yang – Follows the story of a Taiwanese factory worker who journeys to America and navigates new responsibilities, connections, and his past.

AAPI-Owned Businesses To Support in NYC & LA

Sundae Service Creamery – Online ice cream parlor that offers unique, Asian-inspired flavors and celebrates the Asian American Experience. Co-founded by Direct Agents’ Account Manager, Debbie Tanudirjo!
Nguyen Coffee Supply – Founded by Vietnamese American Sahra Nguyen, Nguyen Coffee Supply partners with a fourth-generation farmer in Vietnam to bring the unique taste of Vietnamese coffee to New York.
Wing on Wo & Co. – Founded in the 1890s, Wing on Wo & Co. is the oldest store in Chinatown and sells food and home goods while preserving the tradition and heritage of Chinese immigrants.
CHOP SUEY CLUB – A boutique store in downtown NYC focusing on contemporary Chinese design, arts & culture.
Chifa – A family-owned, Chinese-Peruvian restaurant in LA.
Bunkado – Founded in 1946, this family-owned Japanese gift shop sells everything from home goods and records to retro toys and authentic lanterns.

Where To Donate

Stop AAPI Hate – A coalition founded by the AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University to “advance equity, justice, and power by dismantling systemic racism and building a multiracial movement to end anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) hate.”
Asian Americans Advancing Justice – “Our mission is to advance the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.”
Hate is a Virus – “A nonprofit community of mobilizers and amplifiers dismantling racism and hate.”
Think! Chinatown – “An intergenerational non-profit based in Manhattan’s Chinatown, working at the intersection of storytelling, arts & neighborhood engagement.”
Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center – “Enhance the public’s awareness and knowledge about what it means to be AA and NHPI through groundbreaking programming, webinars, and community-created educational resources.”