Hello AAPI Heritage Month

Hello AAPI Heritage Month!

While AAPI Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the achievements of the AAPI community, it's also necessary to bring awareness the issues we still face today. With over 24 million AAPI currently living in the United States and over 7.3 million Asian and Pacific Islanders currently living in Canada, we are still one of the most invisible communities in North America.

As someone who lives in one of the most multicultural cities in the world, I can see the lack of representation in most industries and the this definitely needs to change. This is why speaking up and showing up is essential so we can show our current and future generations what is possible. We do this beyond the month of May.

Here's the recent report from Stop AAPI Hate and their key findings:

• Nearly half (49%) of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders nationwide have experienced discrimination or unfair treatment that may be illegal.
• Discrimination negatively affects the mental health and well-being of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
• Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders know they have rights and want accountability for unlawful discrimination, yet few who experienced what they believed to be a civil rights violation report it.
• Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders want a better understanding of how to enforce their rights and want new laws to protect their civil rights.

You click here to see the full report.

Here's some other alarming stats from The Asian American Foundation and STAATUS Index:

Here's some other findings from their report:

• 1 in 2 Asian Americans report feeling unsafe in the U.S. due to their race/ethnicity.
• Asian Americans – especially young and female Asian Americans – are among the least likely of all racial groups surveyed to feel belonging and acceptance in America.
• Nearly 80% of Asian Americans do not completely feel they belong and are accepted.

You can click here to see the full report.

Of course our community has been able to break barriers and make history. Everything Everywhere All At Once has been able to create more visibility for our community in Hollywood which is one of the best things that has happened for our community.

Another thing we can celebrate this month is Mattel, Inc. honoring Anna May Wong for Barbie’s Inspiring Women series.

And of course I want to bring back Apo Whang-Od who is the old Vogue cover model that has been celebrated all over the world for her strength and true beauty.

And of course later this month, I will be releasing my upcoming book with Wiley called The Tao of Self-Confidence: A Guide to Moving Beyond Trauma and Awakening the Leader Within which is a much needed book to dismantle the negative stereotypes Asian women still face today.

Click here to pre-order your copy today.

And of course in honor of AAPI Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness Month, I am also fundraising for a Library Donation Drive and the goal is to donate 3,000 copies of my upcoming book to libraries across the United States.

Click here to make a donation today.

Let's keep on sharing our achievements, call out the injustices that our communities still faces today and show up as leaders. We also have a place in North America to be treated as leaders and equals. It may take work on our end, but it's definitely worth the ride to show our current and future generations what is possible.

Again, Happy #AAPIHeritageMonth!

Sheena Yap Chan - www.sheenayapchan.com

P.S. Connect with Sheena Yap Chan and The Tao Of Self-Confidence on #LinkedIn