Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

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MEETING IN A BOX

Asian-American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month For All Employees

Jono Erasmus/Shutterstock.com sian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month takes place in May to celebrate the diverse cultures and accomplishments of those who trace their roots to Asia Aand the Pacific Islands. During this time, we acknowledge and pay homage to the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to American society and culture. In this Meeting in a Box, we provide information on the breadth of these regions both geographically and culturally, a historic timeline that outlines Asian American and Pacific Islander accomplishments and boundary-breaking moments, and facts and figures that offer demographic and workplace information. We also include an outline that highlights various Asian American and Pacific Islander resource groups at our partner companies. Share this document with your staff to further your team’s cultural competence education.

1 DEFINING ASIA AND THE PACIFIC ISLANDS

The terms Asian and Pacific Islander refer to a vast geographical region, but have also been racialized. According to the National Resource Conservation Service, Asian American did not become a widely used term until the late 1960s and early ‘70s. The term refers largely to race because native Australians and New Zealanders are not considered Pacific Islanders, and white people born in the Asian region of the former Soviet Union are not counted as Asian.

The U.S. Census Bureau defines the following as Asian regions: (Russia is not included despite it being on the continent of Asia.)

EASTERN ASIA: China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, South Korea, North Korea, Macau, Mongolia, Paracel Islands, Taiwan SOUTH CENTRAL ASIA: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan SOUTHEASTERN ASIA: Brunei, Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam WESTERN ASIA: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bahrain, Cyprus, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen

The U.S. Census Bureau also explains the delineation of the Pacific Islands as follows:

The Pacific Ocean contains an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 islands (the exact number has yet to be precisely determined). Those islands lying south of the Tropic of Cancer but excluding Australia are traditionally grouped into three divisions: Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.

Melanesia means black islands. These include New Guinea (the largest Pacific island, which is divided into the sovereign nation of Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian provinces of Maluku, Papua and West Papua), New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands.

Micronesia means small islands. These include the Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, the Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Most of these lie north of the equator.

Polynesia means many islands. These include New Zealand, the Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, the Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, the Cook Islands, French Polynesia, and Easter Island. It is the largest of the three zones. “There are also many other islands located within the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean, but these are not considered part of Oceania. These islands include the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador; the Aleutian Islands in Alaska; the Russian islands of Sakhalin and Kuril Islands; Taiwan; the Philippines; the South China Sea Islands; most of the islands of Indonesia; and the island nation of Japan, which includes the Ryukyu Islands. The inhabitants of these islands are not considered to be Pacific Islanders and are usually identified with their nearest continent.”

Some of these classifications and definitions are contentious. Many Pacific Islanders have spoken out against being grouped in with Asians because of the vast array of ethnic groups under these general terms. Ultimately, it is important to understand that these classifications are government tools and often do not take into account the complexity of various cultures and identities.

“Asia-Pacific Group Member States”; Jesuiseduardo; CC BY-SA 4.0

2 ASIA PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE: TIMELINE

Asians and Pacific Islanders have played an integral role in shaping Amer- Discussion Questions for Employees ican history, business, art and other advancements. This timeline outlines just some important moments in Asian American and Pacific Islander history, from the time Asian immigrants first arrived in the U.S. to today’s ? What comes to mind when you think broadly of Asian barrier-breaking accomplishments in politics, activism and media. Share American and Pacific Islander history in the U.S.? What figures this timeline with your team to help contextualize and celebrate various stand out to you? aspects of Asian-American and Pacific Islander heritage. ? Why is it important to discuss some of the darker times in Asian- American and Pacific Islander history along with the triumphs? How can we help stand up to racism and xenophobia?

? How does our company acknowledge Asian American and Pacific Islander history? What else can we do? 1985 2016

CC BY 2.0 2014

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© 2020 DiversityInc PAGE 3 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month For All Employees MEETING IN A BOX Timeline 1763 eligible for naturalization. -Filipinos settling in Louisiana are considered the first Asians recorded in what will become the United States. 1879 -California’s Second Constitution prohibits the employment of Chinese immigrants. 1790 -The first recorded immigrants from India arrive in the U.S. 1882 -The Chinese Exclusion Act suspends Chinese immigration 1820 to the United States for 10 years. -The first recorded immigrants from China arrive in the U.S. 1885 1847 -The first recorded Korean immigrant, Philip Jaisohn arrives -Yung Wing graduates from Yale College, becoming the first in the U.S. as a political exile. He becomes the first Korean Chinese person to graduate from a U.S. college. He goes to be naturalized as a U.S. citizen and the first Korean on to champion higher education for other Chinese by American medical doctor. He returns home in 1896 and establishing the Chinese Educational Mission, which helps becomes a well-known political activist. send other Chinese students to U.S. schools. He also writes a memoir, “My Life in China and America,” where he outlines 1886 how the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 impacts his life. -In Yick Wo v. Hopkins, the Supreme Court rules that law with unequal impact on different groups is discriminatory. 1848 -The California Gold Rush leads to the first large-scale 1898 immigration of Chinese to the U.S. -The U.S. assumes control of Hawaii and the Philippines upon winning the Spanish-American War. 1854 -In the United States v. Wong Kim Ark, the Supreme Court -In People v. Hall, the California Supreme Court rules that upholds the 14th Amendment: that all people born in the Chinese people cannot testify against whites accused of U.S. are citizens. murder, just as Native American and Black people could not. 1906 1858 -The San Francisco Board of Education segregates Chinese, -California bans Chinese immigrants. Japanese and Korean schoolchildren. 1865 1907 -The Central Pacific Railroad Company hires the first of -Executive Order 589 prevents Japanese and Korean people 12,000 Chinese workers. from entering the U.S. mainland. 1869 1922 -The first transcontinental railroad is completed. The Central -In Takao Ozawa v. United States, the Supreme Court rules Pacific crew is made up of primarily Chinese immigrants, that Japanese migrants cannot be naturalized. while the Union Pacific crew is made up of primarily Irish immigrants. These sides often clash. The laborers work 1923 as long as 15 hours a day in treacherous conditions to -In United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind, the Supreme Court complete the project. rules that Indian migrants cannot be naturalized. -The first Japanese settlers arrive on the U.S. mainland in California. 1870 -The Naturalization Act of 1870 restricts citizenship to whites and Blacks, making Asians ineligible.

1878 -A California circuit court rules that “Mongolians” are not 1847 1865–1869 Messrs. Henry Holt & Co Harper’s Weekly

1924 Southeast Asians to the U.S. -The Immigration Act of 1924 effectively prohibits the immigration of all Asians to the U.S. Mid-1970s -Capitol Hill staffer and member of the Organization of 1942 Chinese Americans, Jeanie Jew first brings up the necessity -Executive Order 9066 results in 120,000 Japanese to designate a month to celebrate Asian and Pacific Americans being sent to internment camps. Islander heritage. 1943 1979 -Congress repeals the Chinese Exclusion Act and grants -The first Asian Pacific American Heritage Week is naturalization rights. celebrated. 1946 1985 -The Luce-Celler Act permits Filipinos and Indians to -Ellison Onizuka becomes the first Asian American — and immigrate and become naturalized. first American of Japanese ancestry — in space. -Democrat Wing Ong becomes the first Chinese-American not born in the U.S. to be elected to state office. He serves 1988 in the Arizona State House of Representatives. -The Civil Liberties Act of 1988 pays surviving Japanese American internees $20,000 each in reparations. 1949 -The U.S grants 5,000 educated Chinese people refugee 1989 status after the Communist takeover of China. -The Amerasian Homecoming Act Allows children of Vietnamese mothers and American servicement to 1955 immigrate to the U.S. -The Vietnam War begins, ultimately sparking resistance from many Asian Americans. The Asian-American 1990 Movement, made up of a number of grassroots -May becomes Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. organizations, goes on to reach its peak in the 1960s and ‘70s. 1992 -Republican Jay Kim of California becomes the first Korean- 1956 American in Congress. -Dalip Singh Saund of California becomes the first Indian American in Congress. 1997 -Democrat Gary Locke of Washington becomes the first 1959 Asian American governor of a mainland state. He goes on -Republican Hiram Fong of Hawaii becomes the first to serve at the U.S. Ambassador to China and the Secretary Chinese American in the Senate. of Commerce under the Obama administration. -Democrat Daniel K. Inouye of Hawaii, a World War II veteran, becomes the first Japanese American in Congress. 1998 -Actress Lucy Liu, a child of Chinese immigrants, takes on 1964 the role of Ling Woo in the TV series “Ally McBeal.” She goes -Democrat Patsy Takemoto Mink of Hawaii becomes on to star in well-known productions like the film “Kill Bill” the first nonwhite woman in Congress. She is a third- and “Charlie’s Angels” She goes on to receive a Hollywood generation Japanese American who grew up in Maui. Walk of Fame star in 2019.

1965 1964 -Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 eliminates the national-origins quota system, which had previously provided immigration visas to 2% of the total number of people of each nationality. 1973 -The Asian Pacific American Advocates organization is founded to advance the rights of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Giannis Papanikos/AP/Shutterstock 1975 1956 -The war in Vietnam ends, leading to a large migration of U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives

1999 2014 -Andrea Jung, of Chinese descent, becomes the first -Filipina supermodel Geena Rocero comes out as nonwhite woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company, Avon. transgender while delivering a TED Talk in honor of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. She founds 2000 the organization, Gender Proud to raise awareness and -Norman Mineta, of Japanese descent, becomes advance the rights of trans people. Secretary of Commerce. He is the first Asian American -Pakistani girls’ education activist Malala Yousafzai becomes Cabinet member. He goes on to become the Secretary of the youngest person to become a Nobel Prize laureate. In Transportation for the Bush administration — the only 2012, a Taliban gunman shot her in the head for attending Democrat Cabinet member. school. 2001 2015 -September 11th attacks lead to the Patriot Act, which is -House of Representatives unanimously passes legislation linked to the unfair detainment of South Asian people in to remove all references to “Orientals” in federal law and the U.S. replace the term with the more accurate and inclusive -Elaine Chao, who was born in Taiwan, becomes the first “Asian American/Pacific Islanders.” woman Asian American Cabinet member. She serves at the Secretary of Labor under the Bush administration and 2016 goes on to serve as the Secretary of Transportation under -California Attorney General Kamala Harris, who is half President Trump. Indian, is elected as a senator. She is the first Indian American to serve in the Senate. 2003 -The Disney film “Moana” premieres and grosses $247 -Far East Movement is the first Asian American band earn million in the U.S. The movie stars a Polynesian princess. a top ten hit on the Mainstream Pop charts in the United To ensure culturally accurate representation, Disney States. enlists the help of anthropologists, linguists, historians, choreographers and cultural practitioners from islands 2007 including Samoa, Tahiti, Mo’orea and Fiji. -Bobby Jindal of Louisiana becomes first Indian American governor. 2018 -The National Queer Asian Pacific Islander alliance -The film, “Crazy Rich Asians” premieres and goes on to is founded to connect Asian American, South Asian, win awards and recognition for its story, costume design, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander LGBTQ organizations acting and representation. and support LGBTQ Asian American and Pacific Islander -Korean pop group BTS reaches No. 1 on the Billboard 200. rights and visibility. The band grows a dedicated fanbase and an interest in K-pop music stateside. 2009 -President Obama appoints three Asian Americans to 2020 Cabinet: Gary Locke, Secretary of Commerce; Steven -Awkwafina becomes the first Asian American to win “Best Chu, Energy Secretary; and Eric Shinseki; Veterans Affairs Actress” at the Golden Globes for her role in “The Farewell.” Secretary. 2010 -Speed Skater Apolo Anton Ohno, who is half Japanese, earns eight Olympic medals, becoming the most decorated winter Olympian. -Republican Nikki Haley of South Carolina becomes the first Indian American governor. -Jeremy Lin becomes the first American-born player in the NBA player to be of Taiwanese descent. The NBA signs him out of Harvard into a two-year deal with the Golden State Warriors. 2013 -Kevin Tsujihara, of Japanese American heritage, becomes 2016 first nonwhite CEO of a major Hollywood studio, Warner 2014 Steve Jurvetson; CC BY-SA 2.0 Bros. U.S. Congress

3 FACTS & FIGURES

After discussing Asian American and Pacific Islander geography and history, the next step is to look at the available data to understand why equality for Asian American and Pacific Islander people has profound demographic, financial, education and business benefits, and information on just some Asian and Pacific Island festivals, holidays and cultural celebrations.

Discussion Questions for Employees

? How can industries improve the numbers of Asian and Pacific Islander executives in companies? From entry-level to the top, what helps workers thrive?

? What are some experiences that may be unique to Asian American and Pacific Islander people? How can we avoid making assumptions?

? Asian and Pacific Islander people are diverse and come from dozens of different countries and cultures. How can we be sure to use our metrics to track our inclusivity of these groups without homogenizing them?

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DEMOGRAPHICS

U.S. Asian (of one or more races) Estimated Population (2017) 22.2 million, or 6.74% of total U.S. Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander (of one or more races) Population (2018) 1.5 million, or 0.4% of total

BUSINESS

Asian/Pacific Islander (API) Leadership Statistics

20%

API in All Management API in Senior Management (Levels 1&2) 15% 15.6% 10% According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2018, labor force participation rates for Asian Americans was 63.5% and Native Hawaiians/Other Pacific Islanders 11.1%

9.6% was 68.5%. The most common occupation category 5% for Asians was management, professional and related occupations. 6.1% 5.1% 4.8%

Top 10+ HoF Top 50+HoF All Survey Participants

Asians/Pacific Islanders are gaining representation in the Fortune 500.

They now occupy 3.7% of board seats.

Between 2016–2018, Asian/Pacific Islander men gained 25 seats, a 20.3% change. Asian/Pacific Islander women gained 17 seats, a 38.6% change.

© 2020 DiversityInc Sources: U.S. Census, Minority Health, corpgov.law.harvard.edu, Bureau of Labor Statistics PAGE 8 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month For All Employees MEETING IN A BOX

Thus, Asian/Pacific Islanders gained a total42 seats, an increase of 25.15% from 2016 as the number of board seats increased from 167 to 209.

2016–2018 Fortune 500 Board Seats by Race/Ethnicity

Race/Ethnicty 2016 Number 2018 Number % Change 2018 % of of People on of People on 2016–2018 People on Board Board Board Asian/Pacific Islander 167 209 25.19% 3.7%

White 4,656 4,802 3.13% 83.9%

Black 428 486 13.55% 8.6%

Hispanic/ 188 213 13.3% 3.8% Latinx

FINANCES

Median Household Income by Race/Ethnicity (2018)

U.S. Median $61,937

Asian $87,243 Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander $60,734*

White $67,937

Hispanic/Latinx $51,404

American Indian $44,772 Black $41,511

$10,000 $20,000 $30,000 $40,000 $50,000 $60,000 $70,000 $80,000 $90,000 *From 2017 Census

2018 U.S. Buying Power by Race/Ethnicity Asian** White Hispanic/Latinx

Total* 1.01 12.15 1.53 Trillion Trillion Trillion 14.8 $ $ $ American Indian Black * Because Hispanic/Latinx is an eth- Trillion nicity and not a race, numbers for Hispanic/Latinx people are not includ- 1.3 114.6 ed in the total. $ **Emarketer.com does not separate Trillion Billion Pacific Islander statistics from those of $ $ Asians. Cultural Spotlight: Asian and Pacific Islander Holidays

CHINESE NEW YEAR • Chinese New Year, also known as the Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar. The Chinese zodiac is also made up of 12 animals, which rotate annually and are represented during the new year festival and celebration. • The Chinese New Year usually takes place between Jan 21–Feb 20, depending on when the new moon appears. The celebration also lasts about 23 days, ending specifically on the 15th day of the first lunar month. Dileep Kaluaratchie; CC BY-SA 4.0 SETSUBUN: JAPAN • Setsubun, which translates to “seasonal division” and is commonly known as the “Bean-Throwing Festival.” The Japanese festival celebrates the transition to spring and a new start that steers away from spirits that bring bad fortune and sickness. Setsuben is celebrated by throwing soybeans at the outsides of house doors to scare away the evil spirits. • Setsubun is usually celebrated the day prior to the beginning of spring. Shadi HIJAZI; CC BY 2.5 HOLI FESTIVAL: INDIA • Holi, which is known as the “Festival of Colors” or the “Festival of Spring,” is an Indian holiday that celebrates a victory of good overcoming evil. It is seen as a day to spread love and happiness, and celebrates a good harvest.

Steven Gerner; CC BY-SA 2.0 KAMEHAMEHA DAY: HAWAII • Kamehameha Day is a Hawaiian state holiday that celebrates the monarchy of Kamehameha the Great, who established and united the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1810. • Kamehameha Day celebrations include a floral parade through Honolulu; statues of Kamehameha the Great being draped in lei (traditional flower garlands); parties; horse riding competitions; and the King Kamehameha Hula Competition. Anthony Quintano; CC BY-SA 2.0 CHUESOK: KOREA • Chuseok, meaning “Autumn Eve,” is the Korean thanksgiving festival that celebrates the comfort of family and ancestry. Chuseok is a three-day celebration in which people return to their ancestral homes to celebrate. • The Chuseok celebration takes place sometime between September and October. It begins on the 14th day of the 8th lunar moon and ends on the 16th day of the 8th lunar moon. Namwon030; CC BY-SA 3.0

EDUCATION

Percentage of people age 25+ who completed at least high school (2018)

Native Hawaiian/Other White Asian Pacific Islander 87.6% 87.2% 90.2%

Black American Indian Latinx 86.5% 80.8% 69.7%$53,926

Percentage of people age 25+ with at least a Bachelor’s degree (2018)

Asian Native Hawaiian/Other White Pacific Islander 55.0% 18.5% 33.9%

Black Latinx American Indian 22.0% 17.0% 15.2%

Percentage of people age 25+ with at least a graduate or professional degree (2018)

Asian Native Hawaiian/Other White Pacific Islander 13.0% 24.3% 5.3%

Black Latinx American Indian 8.3% 5.5% 5.4%

4 COMPANY SPOTLIGHT: ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER EMPLOYEE RESOURCE GROUPS

Employee resource groups (ERGs), business resource groups (BRGs) and affinity groups are an important part of companies’ diversity and inclusion strategies and corporate culture. Out of our 2019 Top 50 Companies for Diversity list, we identified some of our honorees with resource groups targeted toward Asians and Pacific Islanders. ERGs are typically self-governed groups of individuals with common interests and experiences and support career development, mentorship opportunities, educa-tion and community service.

Discussion Questions for Employees

? What are some ways our company supports Asian American and Pacific Islander employees through ERGs and/or other programs? What other ideas can we implement?

? How can we leverage our programs (ERGs or other) to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month?

? In what other ways can we ensure Asian American and Pacific Islander employees have a seat at the table, especially during discussions about culture and inclusion?

Chaay_Tee/Shutterstock.com

© 2020 DiversityInc PAGE 12 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month For All Employees MEETING IN A BOX Company Spotlight: Asian American and Pacific Islander Resource Groups From our 2019 Top 50 Companies for Diversity, here are just some of the employee and business resource groups (ERGs and BRGs) that support and empower Asian and Pacific Islander employees and communities.

AbbVie — Asian Leadership Network (ALN)

AbbVie’s Asian Leadership Network (ALN) works to foster a diverse and inclusive environment while helping drive business results and building a sense of community. ALN focuses on networking, mentoring, professional development, talent attraction, cultural diversity and fun for members and allies. Through ALN, AbbVie is also partnering with organizations in the local and extended Asian community.

Accenture — Asian Pacific American (APA)

Accenture’s Asian Pacific American (APA) Employee Resource Group (ERG) promotes cultural awareness and develops its members through learning events and mentorship. The APA ERG is comprised of 25 local chapters with more than 3,000 members. As part of its upcoming Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrations, the APA ERG is highlighting the endless factors that make the Asian and Pacific Islander community diverse through weekly publications and virtual activities, including leadership development classes, cultural celebrations, and mental wellness sessions. Furthermore, the APA ERG established a fundraiser for the Ascend Foundation and Feed Your Hospital to feed frontline healthcare workers by supporting local Asian restaurants.

AT&T — Filipino American Communications Employees of AT&T (FACES), InspirASIAN , Organization of Asian Indians (OASiS), Mosaic, Network for Asian Pacific Americans (NAPA) and Turner Asia

FACES promotes a multi-cultural perspective to enhance AT&T and support the needs of its workforce and customer base. InspirASIAN fosters development and leadership opportunities for its members and supports AT&T and outside communities. OASiS provides a framework to help global members identify ways to better leverage their talent, connec- tions and engagements within their organization and community to drive leadership and recognition opportunities. Since merging with WarnerMedia, AT&T also adopted three more groups dedicated to advancing Asian American and Pacific Islander inclusion: Mosaic, Network for Asian Pacific Americans (NAPA) and Turner Asia.

BASF — Asian Business Community (ABC)

Formed in 2012, the ABC focuses on attracting, developing, promoting, and retaining Asian employees at BASF. ABC partners with internal and external groups to bring meaningful programs and activities to members and non-members alike, including celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and sponsoring recruiting activities at Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers.

Comcast NBCUniversal — Asian Pacific Americans

Comcast NBCUniversal’s ERGs focus on business product development and support, per- sonal and professional development and mentoring, and community service. These ERGs drive employee engagement and help the company’s diversity and inclusion program thrive.

Eli Lilly & Company — Chinese Culture Network, Lilly India Network and Africa, Middle East and Central Asia Network

Lilly began the Chinese Culture Network in 1995 and the Lilly India Network in 2001. The company also founded the Africa, Middle East and Central Asia Network in 2008. These groups celebrate the reality of a globalizing workforce.

Johnson & Johnson — Asian Society for Innovation and Achievement (ASIA), South Asian Professional Network Association (SAPNA)

Johnson & Johnson’s ASIA and SAPNA ERGs represent a network of Asian leaders and employees working toward accelerating the growth, development and visibility of Asian talent through coach- ing, mentoring and leadership development initiatives and showcasing cultural diversity. In addition, the groups offer networking and opportunities to be engaged in community service and process/ product innovation that contribute to the business growth.

Mastercard — Exploring Asian Societies and Trends (EAST)

Mastercard’s business resource groups are self-governed and made up of employees who share similar interests and experiences. These groups cultivate an inclusive culture, driving business results and allowing employees to feel a sense of belonging at the company.