The month of May is nationally recognized for many celebrations, including Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. It is a dedicated time to learn about and pay tribute to the contributions, influences, successes, and struggles of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Wisconsin is home to many pan-ethnic groups that identify as Asian American and Pacific Islanders, and make up about 6% of Wisconsin’s total population. According to the Wisconsin 2020 State Factsheet, some of the largest AAPI ethnic groups in Wisconsin include Hmong (54,205), Indian (36,539), Chinese (31,177), Filipino (16,728), Korean (12,287), and Vietnamese (9,843). Counties with the highest AAPI populations include Milwaukee, Dane, and Waukesha Counties.
Throughout the month of May, locally and nationally, you can find an array of opportunities and events where you can learn more about, celebrate, and experience the many beautiful AAPI cultures, traditions, and foods. Check with your local library, community center, schools, colleges, AAPI community centers, and online AAPI communities for more information about what events may be coming up and how you can partake. If you cannot get to an event, another way you can celebrate is by visiting locally-owned AAPI restaurants or businesses and giving them your support.
We have included a few links below to help get you started.
Recommended Resources
From the Lending Library
- Growing Up Asian American, by Maria Hong
- 16 Extraordinary Asian Americans, by Nancy Lobb
- All You Can Ever Know – A Memoir, by Nicole Chung
- Invisible Asians: Korean American Adoptees, Asian American Experiences, and Racial Exceptionalism, by Kim Park Nelson
- Lucky Girl, by Mei-Ling Hopgood
Additional Resources
