It's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month -- and here are some ways to observe it

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA

May is not yet over, so there's still time to recognize that May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

In 2009 the name of this observance officially changed from Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The purpose is to recognize the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. #AAPIHeritageMonth #AANHPIHeritageMonth

Despite the AAPI communities' remarkable success and vital contributions across social, economic, and political realms, progress towards greater national acceptance and belonging continues to be threatened by unchecked cycles of xenophobia and race-based violence.

Here are four nonprofits that support and celebrate this vibrant community as well as some great films that you may want to check out.

Local AAPI Nonprofits

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Olympia – Is the oldest and largest Asian American civil rights organization in the United States. Founded in 1929, the ongoing mission of JACL is to secure and maintain the civil rights of Japanese Americans and all others who are victimized by injustice and prejudice. The Olympia chapter has been around since 1983 and plays an integral role in the monitoring of and response to threats against the civil rights of Japanese Americans and other marginalized groups in our community.

Asian Pacific Islanders Coalition - South Puget Sound Chapter - Part of a statewide group, our local chapter is dedicated to promoting equity by advocating for:

• Culturally competent and linguistically accessible health and human services
• Economic development for small businesses
• Civil and human rights
• Equal access to education
• As well as other concerns for Asian Pacific Americans, including immigrants, refugees, and citizens of the South Puget Sound area of Washington State.

Additional AAPI Nonprofits

The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) believes that a better America is not only possible but necessary and continually works to combat anti–Asian hate and create belonging.

Ke Kukui Foundation – The mission of the Ke Kukui Foundation is to eliminate socio-economic barriers to the successful integration and assimilation of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders relocating to the Pacific Northwest and the rest of the continental United States and to preserve and share traditional Hawaiian/Polynesian culture through educational programming consisting of music, dance, language, and other traditional arts.

Celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with these films

User your Timberland Library Card to stream “To Be Takei” on Kanopy and learn about the legendary George Takei's trailblazing journey from a Japanese American internment camp to his groundbreaking role as Sulu on the original Star Trek, and his LGBTQIA+ activism and rise as a pop culture icon.

The Asian American Foundation offers AAPI Heritage of Heroes, six films that highlight the stories of AAPI heroes exploring not only their contributions but the AAPI cultures that made them. According to the TAAF website, the films are woven together by celebrity presenters, and comedy musical performances, and serve as a celebration of the ‘everyday extraordinary’ heroes in our lives.

More Media to Celebrate - 2022 Hometown Media Awards

The Hometown Media Awards is a national competition, presented by The Alliance for Community Media Foundation to honor and promote community media, community radio, and local cable programs that are distributed on Public, Educational and Governmental (PEG) access cable television channels. Each year, nearly one thousand entries are submitted, and awards are presented to the most creative programs that address community needs, develop diverse community involvement, challenge conventional commercial television formats, and move viewers to experience television in a different way. Thurston County Media (TCMedia) is proud to announce four winners:

• "Sea Level Rise Flooding," a series produced by Bill Lange.
• "In the Know Women's Show Promo," produced by Darleen Adkins.
• "The First Returns: Election Night 2021," produced by TCMedia Staff
• "Young Producers Network 2021" produced by students in the summer program.

Soliciting your ideas

If you know of a nonprofit that is doing something great, celebrating a success, needs some outstanding volunteers, or hosting an event, let me know! This column (aside from a little education) celebrates nonprofits! 

Mary Beth Harrington, CVA (Certified Volunteer Administrator) lives in Tumwater. She travels the country speaking at conferences and to individual organizations articulating issues facing nonprofits. Send your ideas to her at  MaryBeth@theJOLTnews.com