Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, celebrated each May in the U.S., was first officially recognized in 1992 to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders and Native Hawaiians.

Today, that includes nearly 24 million people across the United States, encompassing more than 50 distinct countries and ethnic groups that collectively speak over 100 different languages.

To celebrate AAPI heritage at ASI, the company’s Diversity & Inclusion Council organized a fun and educational Trivia & Tea event on May 28 for employees. The committee invited attendees to make their own flavored boba tea while competing in an AAPI trivia contest.

From left: ASI’s Tricia Walter, Ally Levis and Catie Thomas help employees make boba tea at the AAPIH Trivia & Tea event on May 28.

The questions tested attendees’ knowledge of AAPI history, symbols and prominent figures, like Hiram Fong, the first Asian American to serve in the Senate; Haing Ngor, the first Asian American to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor; and Amanda Ngoc Nguyen, a civil rights activist and the first Vietnamese woman to fly in space.

“Our goal was to create a fun and engaging experience that honored Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage,” said Theo Young, a credit specialist in ASI’s finance department and a member of the D&I Council. “We also wanted to incorporate an educational element that highlighted the richness of AAPI traditions and how these cultures continue to thrive and connect communities today.”

Attendees compete in the AAPI trivia contest.

“We strive to create learning experiences for our employees that are informative, engaging, and never boring,” added Tricia Walter, director of operations for ASI Show and another D&I Council member.

ASI’s D&I book club has also selected Crying in H Mart – a bestselling memoir by Michelle Zauner that explores the realities of being a Korean American – as its second-quarter read.