The month of May marks the celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. This nationally recognized celebration pays tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.
Two Associated Bank colleagues share how they celebrate and reflect upon their cultural heritage:
Kevin Choi, Market Manager – Minneapolis, Minn.
When you reflect on your Asian heritage, who is someone that had made an impact in your life?
My parents have always been an inspiration to me and on our Asian heritage. They’ve taught me the meaning of hard work and resilience. Knowing the sacrifices and dedication they have made to build a future for us has inspired me to provide the same for myself and my family. I believe the biggest lesson my parents have taught me is to understand that there may be many paths to a destination, but the way you acknowledge differences is key to your journey.
How do you celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?
I enjoy sharing differences and similarities of how I was raised in my culture. Whether talking about the many superstitions the Korean community acknowledges from their dreams, or explaining the reason why cleaning on New Year’s Day is considered bad luck, I believe just talking to others is the best way I can celebrate my Asian Pacific American heritage every day.
Is there a specific organization you would recommend to support the Asian American community?
The Asian Pacific American Coalition (APAC) out of Hamline University in St. Paul is a great organization to support through volunteerism or donations. The organization does a great job of molding future leaders and gives students the platform to voice their concerns.
Do you have a favorite authentic food or tradition you’d like to share?
I love all Korean food. My family started one of the first Korean restaurants in Minnesota, so I was surrounded by food all the time. To pick a favorite is hard. Korean BBQ and Galbi (a grilled steak dish) are always amongst people’s favorites.
Nida Steinwedel, Private Banking Assistant – Chicago, Ill.
When you reflect on your Asian heritage, who is someone that had made an impact in your life?
My paternal grandmother played a large role in my life. She always told us to be proud of who we are and never be ashamed of our roots. Her tenacity never ceases to amaze me! She experienced so much in her 100+ years while enjoying the simpler things in life.
How do you celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month?
Celebrating Asian heritage is every day; it’s not limited to a month. It means being proud of who you are and where you come from. It’s about having the tough conversations and educating others about Asian heritage.
Is there a specific organization you would recommend to support the Asian American community?
Honestly, the best thing anyone can do is to show your support for the AAPI community. It doesn’t have to be about volunteering or donating, but rather standing with others to celebrate equality.
As an avid runner, I have found a lack of a prominent Asian (and minority) presence in the running industry. This has been a large cause for me the past five years—to bring diversity to running.
I encourage people to listen to “Diverse we Run” (Instagram handle: @diversewerun; Podcast: linktr.ee/diversewerun) and “Keeping Pace” (Instagram handle: @keepingpacepod; Podcast: keeping-pace.simplecast.com). These two hosts have done an amazing job of bringing the discussion of why there needs to be diversity in running and why there is a lack of diversity today.
Do you have a favorite authentic food or tradition that you would like to share?
One of my favorites is a good bowl of Thai hotpot called sukiyaki. It is filled with tons of herbs, noodles, seafood, and a homemade spicy dipping sauce. It is quite delicious!
