The Asian and Pacific Islander Leadership Blog
Journey to “Finding Our Way”
Last year July, I was captivated by the first images emerging from Nasa’s James Webb Telescope, the world's most powerful space telescope. I don’t usually consider myself a “space” nerd. I always thought it was interesting yet I wasn’t excited by it. And then I saw the photos from the James Webb Telescope. Now I’m excited.
I know I can never fully understand the years of science and engineering innovation that went into developing the Webb telescope and what makes it work. However, I greatly appreciate the outcome - the amazing, beautiful, and colorful images of the deepest reaches of our universe that is tens of thousands of light years away from us
Support, respect, and affirm LGBTQ+ APIs
While a focus on LGBTQ+ Pride or last month’s Asian and Pacific Islander (API) heritage month should not be limited to one month a year, both serve as a good reminder of the history and contributions of these diverse communities, it ensures that knowledge and facts about these communities can be shared with a broader population, and Pride Month is an opportunity to showcase the beautiful, glorious, complicated nuances of our Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) LGBTQ+ communities.
Why the API story needs to be heard
Preventing the erasure of Asian and Pacific Islander stories. Encouraging our diverse and authentic voices to be heard. Acknowledging our communities contributions to this country. Ensuring that our histories are not forgotten so it’s not repeated. This is why Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (APIHM) which starts next week was launched and is still important.
Linda's Declaration for Women's History Month
21 years after Halle Berry became the first woman of color to win an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Michelle Yeoh became the second woman of color and the first Asian American to win the same award at the Oscars Ceremony on Sunday, March 12, 2023. I
Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi - Honoring Hawaiian Language Month
What I didn’t see was the inclusion of Hawaiian Language Month or Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi among the list of Pepeluali (February) observances (not even among the list of diversity and inclusion celebration lists.)