How to Celebrate AAPI Month at Work in 2025

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, held every May, honors the rich cultures, histories, and achievements of AAPI communities across the United States. Officially recognized since 1978, AAPI Month isn’t just about celebration it’s a chance to slow down, listen to real stories from Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and make space for traditions, perspectives, and voices that don’t always get the spotlight.

If you're wondering how to celebrate AAPI Month at work, this guide will walk you through meaningful ideas, share this year's theme, and help you create workplace moments that truly matter.

What Is Asian Pacific Heritage Month and Why Does It Matter?

Asian Pacific Heritage Month, also known as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, is a nationwide celebration that takes place every May. It honors the cultures, traditions, and historical contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

But what is Asian Pacific Heritage Month really about? Beyond the festivals and food, it's a time to reflect on the stories, resilience, and achievements of AAPI communities, many of which have gone unrecognized for far too long. It’s also a chance to learn about the challenges these communities have faced, and to stand in solidarity against bias, exclusion, and injustice.

For workplaces, this month is a great time to celebrate different cultures, highlight AAPI stories, and create a welcoming environment where everyone feels respected, recognized, and appreciated.

What is the theme for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2025?

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time to reflect on the powerful contributions of AANHPI communities across generations. The 2025 theme, announced by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, is “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience.”

This year’s AAPI Month theme honors leaders who have paved the way with courage, strength, and determination. In the official 2025 poster, bamboo is used as a visual symbol of this legacy, known for its ability to bend without breaking, bamboo represents the resilience and endurance that define so many AANHPI stories. It’s a powerful reminder that leadership often takes root in quiet perseverance and cultural pride.

How to Celebrate AAPI Month at Work in Meaningful Ways

There are so many thoughtful and engaging ways to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at work. From hosting storytelling sessions to spotlighting AAPI-owned businesses and empowering AAPI youth, each activity can bring people together, spark conversation, and highlight the diverse experiences within your workforce.

1. AAPI Month Trivia

Hosting an AAPI trivia session is a lively and interactive way to engage employees while highlighting essential aspects of AAPI culture, history, and achievements. Trivia can be organized in person using printed cards or via online quiz tools like Polly or Kahoot, making it easy to include remote and hybrid teams. These quizzes not only educate but also spark curiosity and conversation about the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.
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2. Making Flashcards and Posters‍

As an engaging virtual AAPI Heritage Month activity, employees can collaborate to design informative flashcards and posters about legal rights, helplines, and resources for reporting hate crimes against Asian American communities. These materials can be shared freely on social media or donated to local nonprofits to raise awareness and support Pacific Islander month efforts beyond the workplace.

3. Organizing an AAPI Heritage Month Film Screening

Organizing a film or documentary screening focused on the AAPI experience invites your team to explore rich cultural stories together. Afterward, hosting a discussion can deepen understanding by encouraging coworkers to share perspectives on themes, cultural depictions, and connections to current events affecting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Here are some film recommendations for an AAPI-focused screening and discussion event:

Following the viewing, you can discuss these topics with your colleagues:

• What themes or messages stood out to you in the film?
• How did the film challenge your preconceptions or opinions on the AAPI experience?
• What parts of AAPI culture does the film depict?
• How does the film connect to current events or concerns impacting the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities?
• What measures can we take to make our community more inclusive and welcoming?

4. Volunteer With AAPI-Focused Nonprofit Organizations

Volunteering with AAPI-focused nonprofits is one of the most impactful ways to honor Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at work. It allows your team to give back, learn, and engage with the community in meaningful ways.

At Goodera-powered volunteering events, employees participate in curated AAPI month activities that go beyond surface-level celebration. From raising cultural awareness to mentoring young AAPI leaders, these initiatives help break harmful stereotypes and highlight the community’s contributions across generations.

Here are just a few ways your team can make a difference:

• Lead or join sessions that explore and celebrate AAPI heritage and identity.
  
• Volunteer for programs that support AAPI youth in STEM, the arts, and literature.
  
• Partner with nonprofits focused on social justice, education, or entrepreneurship within AAPI communities.
  
• Create safe spaces for employees to reflect on what Asian Pacific Heritage Month means to them and why it matters.
  

Also read:Top AAPI nonprofit organizations to support and volunteer with in 2025.‍

5. Build an AAPI Author Exclusive Book Club

Starting a book club focused on AAPI authors allows employees to dive into diverse narratives and cultures. It’s a wonderful way to build connections, foster allyship, and encourage ongoing learning about the rich experiences of the AAPI community.

Here are a few recommendations for you:

6. Organize a Culture-Focused Potluck to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month at Work

Food has the power to tell stories, spark memories, and build bridges between people. Hosting a workplace potluck is one of the most engaging AAPI Heritage Month activities you can plan. Encourage employees to bring dishes that reflect their cultural backgrounds or explore flavors from across Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

To make it more meaningful, set up a display with the history and significance of each dish. For example, share how Korean kimchi is traditionally fermented, or the symbolism behind Chinese mooncakes. This turns the lunch table into a place of learning and celebration, making your AAPI month activities both tasty and educational.

7. Start an AAPI Employee Spotlights

One meaningful way to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is by highlighting the personal stories of AAPI team members. Sharing their experiences through blog posts, videos, or social media helps humanize the month and deepen understanding across your organization.

These AAPI Heritage Month activities can explore culture, challenges, traditions, and the impact of representation. You might ask questions like:

• What does your AAPI heritage mean to you?
• Which figure from your community has shaped or inspired you?
• What cultural traditions do you celebrate, and why are they meaningful?
• Have you experienced challenges related to your identity at work, and how did you overcome them?
• What can our workplace do to be more inclusive of AAPI voices?

Employee spotlights give visibility to the people behind the work and create space for honest conversations. They help others better understand what Asian Pacific Heritage Month represents and strengthen your company’s culture of inclusion.

8. AAPI Art and Craft Activities

Creative expression is a joyful way to honor culture, and art-based AAPI month activities can be both relaxing and educational. Host hands-on workshops where employees can try traditional crafts like Japanese origami, Chinese paper cutting, Indian rangoli art, or Hawaiian lei-making.

To deepen the experience, invite local AAPI artists to lead sessions and share the cultural significance behind each craft. This not only makes your celebration more authentic but also connects employees to the broader themes of AAPI Heritage Month—art, tradition, and community. These activities also serve as great team-building moments that are inclusive of all skill levels.

9. Uplift AAPI Communities by Supporting Local AAPI-Owned Businesses

One of the most sustainable ways to celebrate Pacific Islander Month and AAPI Heritage Month is by supporting local businesses owned and operated by AAPI entrepreneurs. Whether you dine at a neighborhood Vietnamese café, order from an Asian-owned stationery shop, or promote small businesses on your company’s intranet, your support matters.

You can also take this a step further:

• Host a team lunch featuring meals from AAPI-owned restaurants.
• Organize a pop-up market with local vendors.
• Volunteer time or skills to help AAPI entrepreneurs scale their businesses.
  

These actions not only support economic growth but also reflect the core message behind Asian Pacific Heritage Month: Celebrating heritage while empowering future generations.

You might also like: Top 10 AAPI Nonprofit Organizations to Volunteer for In 2025

10.  Language Training to Make AAPI Month Activities More Personal and Inclusive

Language connects people in powerful ways. Hosting a series of casual language-sharing sessions is a thoughtful addition to your AAPI Heritage Month activities. Invite AAPI colleagues to teach a few fun phrases in their native language, like greetings, proverbs, or cultural expressions, and share their story.

You can rotate languages each week, provide digital flashcards, and even gamify learning with quizzes or small prizes. These sessions can be conducted virtually or in person and are a simple but effective way to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in a way that promotes understanding, inclusion, and curiosity.

Start an AAPI ERG this AAPI Heritage Month

Don't have a platform for your AAPI employees to connect and advocate for themselves yet? AAPI Heritage Month is the perfect time to create an AAPI employee resource group (ERG). ERGs improve inclusion and belonging at work, provide opportunities for colleagues to become culturally aware and sensitive, and promote diversity within the organization. To explore AAPI ERGs in detail, head over to our guide on AAPI ERGs.

That's a wrap on our list of activities to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. If you need help planning engaging and impactful activities for your employees, reach out to us. Goodera executes curated, impactful employee activities across 50+ cause areas in over 100 countries. Engage your teams in ways that best meet your needs - virtually, in-person, or a mix of both.