In the blooming month of May, we will welcome Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2025. This is a celebration that belongs to Asian Americans—a time to honor the struggles of our ancestors, celebrate our present achievements, and look toward the future! The establishment of AAPI Heritage Month is a reflection of American society’s recognition of Asian American history and its significance.

Asian American Heritage Month originated from a congressional resolution signed by President Carter in 1978, aimed at commemorating the contributions of Asian pioneers to the United States. In 1992, President George H. W. Bush expanded it into a nationwide celebration throughout the entire month of May. Since then, successive presidents have actively supported and recognized the Asian American community, gradually elevating the importance of this heritage month. It has become not only a vital part of America’s multicultural identity, but also a call for unity and a starting point for giving back to society. As members of the Asian community, we take great pride in celebrating this month!

From the “Gold Mountain sojourners” during the Gold Rush of the 1850s, to the Chinese railroad workers who built with extraordinary perseverance and engineering ingenuity, to the courageous Chinese American soldiers of World War II, and to today’s pioneers shining across technology, medicine, the arts, and every field, Asian Americans have written a magnificent chapter on this land with resilience and wisdom. Yet the brilliance of that history was once buried, and the voices of Asian Americans were long unheard.

The upcoming Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is not only a recognition by American society of the contributions Asian Americans have made throughout history, but also a celebration of multicultural integration. As President Joey Yu of the Chinese American Foundation said: “We stand on the shoulders of our ancestors. Their struggles laid the foundation for our achievements today, and it is our duty to carry their spirit and legacy forward.”

Since its founding, the Chinese American Foundation has remained committed to its mission, actively serving the community, telling “our stories” through real actions, advocating for the rights of Asian Americans, fighting discrimination, and preserving Chinese culture. Especially in the past two years, under the leadership of President Joey Yu, the Foundation has undertaken a series of impactful initiatives.

In 2023-2024, we sponsored continued Chinese language courses at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), offering young university students the opportunity to learn the Chinese language, and more importantly, to open a window into Chinese culture. The Foundation also facilitated a cultural exchange for faculty and students from the Southern California University of Health Sciences to travel to China to study traditional Chinese medicine. Under the theme “Walking the Land of China, Seeking the Roots of TCM,” participants experienced the depth and richness of Chinese medicine firsthand, fostering integration between Eastern and Western medicine.

These efforts not only built bridges for people-to-people exchanges between China and the U.S., but also provided our community’s youth with valuable opportunities for academic and professional growth. At the same time, the Chinese American Foundation has remained deeply committed to the community. When wildfires ravaged Maui or struck Altadena in Los Angeles, the Foundation was there to lend a helping hand and assist with disaster relief.

As Chinese Americans, we hope for a long-lasting and friendly relationship between the United States and China, one that benefits the people of both nations. With this goodwill in mind, we have joined hands with the National Chinese American Federation and the Southern California University of Health Sciences to host a special forum titled “Celebrating the 45th Anniversary of U.S.-China Diplomatic Relations and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.”

We were honored to welcome distinguished guests including Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Shaochun Guo and his spouse, U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu, California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Deputy Consul General Zhiqiang Guo of the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles, Professor Min Zhou, member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, and representatives from the Southern California University of Health Sciences, among others. Over 300 attendees from various sectors across Southern California came together for this significant event.

The forum, themed “Reflecting on the Past, Looking Toward the Future,” not only revisited the historical achievements of U.S.-China relations, but also highlighted the vital role Asian Americans play as a bridge between the two countries.

The achievements of the Chinese American Foundation today, no matter how big or small, would not be possible without a selfless and united team. We are deeply grateful for the dedicated support of our Board Chairwoman Sher Li, board members Simon Shao, Jimmy Wang, Suki Liao, Selina Zeng, and senior advisors Thomas Li and Peter Ma. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the current leadership team of the National Chinese American Federation, including President Michael Xiong, Board Chairwoman Yvette Yang, Supervisory Chair Fei Pang, as well as the presidents of all member organizations under the Federation. Most importantly, we are thankful for the unwavering support from compassionate individuals across all sectors of society!

Looking ahead, we see Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month as an opportunity to turn words into action. Let us work together to “tell our stories,” protect our rights, and make our voices heard in society. Asian Heritage Month 2025 is not an endpoint, but a new beginning. Through heritage and responsibility, we move forward hand in hand, writing a bold new chapter for Asian Americans!