Each May, we join the nation in recognizing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month - an opportunity to celebrate the cultures, contributions, and resilience of the AANHPI community. This year’s national theme, A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience, honors the leaders and trailblazers who have paved the way for future generations through strength, vision, and perseverance.
As a half-Korean woman, this month carries personal meaning for me. I’ve seen firsthand how identity can shape how we show up as leaders. I’m deeply grateful for the paths forged by those before me, and for the ongoing work to build a future where every voice is heard and valued.
At Amperity, we’re proud to celebrate this legacy through the voices and stories of our internal AANHPI community, championed by our Asian & Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG). Throughout the month, we’ll be spotlighting employees, sharing reflections on leadership and identity, and highlighting AANHPI creators, businesses, and cultural traditions.
Resilience is a common thread in AANHPI history—seen in the stories of pioneers like Lieutenant Susan Ahn Cuddy, Congressman Dalip Singh Saund, and Secretary Norman Mineta, who challenged discrimination and adversity to lead with courage and impact. Their breakthroughs helped open doors that many now walk through, reminding us that progress is powered by those who lead with purpose.
The symbol of bamboo—featured in this year’s AANHPI Heritage Month poster—represents this enduring spirit. Known for its strength and flexibility, bamboo not only weathers storms but grows stronger in their wake. It’s also a nod to the “bamboo ceiling” many AANHPI professionals still face, underscoring the work that remains to ensure equity and representation across industries, including tech.
This month at Amperity, we’ll honor that legacy by:
Elevating AANHPI employee stories in a social media spotlight series Our API ERG will feature a spotlight series across internal and external channels, sharing reflections on leadership, identity, and resilience. Keep an eye out for our LinkedIn carousel posts and Slack shoutouts each week.
Hosting internal knowledge shares, panels, and cultural celebrations We’ll be organizing a panel discussion on AANHPI leadership journeys and holding a team lunch-and-learn featuring traditional dishes from across the AANHPI diaspora. Want to share your favorite recipe or cultural tradition? Reach out to the ERG to participate.
Supporting AANHPI-owned businesses These restaurants and businesses were crowd-sourced by Amperity's AANHPI team members.
Seattle Businesses | New York City Businesses |
1. Maneki Restaurant is traditional Japanese cuisine located in the International District For more than 100 years, people young and old have returned to Maneki for traditional family-style Japanese food served in a welcoming, neighborhood atmosphere. | 1. New York Food Court in New World Mall – Flushing, Queens The food court is made up of around two dozen stalls, mostly Chinese and Taiwanese businesses whose prices are affordable and whose menus are only sometimes translated into English. |
2. Uwajimaya & Kinokuniya Bookstore – Chinatown-International District A beloved Asian grocery store and bookstore combo, perfect for discovering specialty foods and curated books and gifts. | 2. Laut – Union Square Laut was one of the first Malaysian restaurants to receive a Michelin Star in NY. Laut, in Bahasa Melayu, translates to Sea. These straits or seas of these coastal cities played a crucial role in the region’s history, navigating traders and travelers from all over the world. |
3. Young Tea – Bellevue Known for its high-quality, handcrafted teas and commitment to fresh ingredients. | 3. noreetuh – East Village A Michelin-recognized modern Hawaiian restaurant led by Chef Chung Chow, featuring dishes like musubi and sea urchin cavatelli. |
4.Sushi Kashiba - Pike Place Market For over 50 years Chef Kashiba, a three-time James Beard Award nominee for Outstanding Chef, has delighted visitors from around the world with his artistry and craft at several award-winning restaurants including his current spot, Sushi Kashiba, located by Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market. | 4. MáLà Project – Multiple Locations Known for its dry pot dishes and a mission to bring unaltered Chinese cuisine to NYC in a 90’s China-inspired ambiance. |
5. Sairen – Japantown A modern shop offering an eclectic mix of Japanese, Hawaiian, and Seattle-made goods, highlighting independent Asian-American and local designers. | 5. Phil-Am Food Mart – Woodside, Queens A staple in the Filipino community since 1976, offering authentic ingredients and product. |
Amplifying AANHPI artists and creators We’ll be curating a playlist of AANHPI musicians, spotlighting visual artists in internal communications, and recommending films, books, and documentaries that celebrate AANHPI voices. Check out PBS’s “31 Stories for 31 Days” to get started.
Addressing bias and raising awareness We’re sharing resources to help educate ourselves and others, including anti-bias training, donation opportunities to organizations like Stop AAPI Hate, and an internal Slack thread for open discussion and allyship.
Celebrating diverse traditions and histories Each week, our internal “knowledge drops” will highlight a different cultural heritage within the AANHPI umbrella—from Samoan tattoo practices to Korean language roots—sharing facts, stories, and perspectives that deepen our understanding of each other.
As we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month, we do so with gratitude for those who came before us, and with commitment to the future we’re building together. Let’s continue to lead with empathy, challenge assumptions, and create space for all voices to thrive.