Source: Axelle / Bauer-Griffin / Getty
American Heritage Asia Pacific Month It is celebrated all month in May in honor of generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders across America who have made history with their incredible achievements in the United States.
According to the US Federal Asia Pacific Council, this year’s theme celebrates “Advanced Leadership through Collaboration,” and highlights the efforts of members of the AAPI community in the federal and metropolitan governments. Last year, Florence Ban became the first Asian American to serve as a district court judge in Washington, D.C. under the Biden administration. Democrats also confirmed that US District Judge Lucy Hayran Koh will serve as a US circuit judge for the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Koh became the first Korean-American woman and the third woman of Asian American descent to be appointed to a federal appeals court.
Cynthia Choi, co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate, told NPR she hopes Americans will use the month to help destigmatize some harmful metaphors surrounding the Asian community that have been exacerbated by the pandemic and angered Trump supporters in 2020. Society has been shaken by a devastating number of crimes Hate as a result.
“Our history is also filled with incredible stories of resilience, tenacity, determination, and the struggle for our fundamental rights,” Choi said. “This is a celebration of our history, our culture…and all the different ways our community has really shown that we’re not just here to stay, that we’re part of this fabric — part of this country.”
The AAPI community has made a wealth of amazing contributions across art, music and film too, and we know many more who deserve their flowers during this special month. Below are a few of the famous AAPI’s who demonstrate excellence and leadership in their respective fields.
1. Saweetie
Source: Getty
The “Icy Chain” hit maker is half Filipino and Chinese on her mother’s side while her father is African American.
Saweetie has dominated the music world for the past two years. In 2019, the California native dropped her second record icy which made it a hit thanks to her hit hit “My Type”.
Next star album beautiful bitch music It’s scheduled to be dropped sometime in 2022 and fans have already savored the project with singles like “Tap In” and “Best Friend” featuring Doja Cat.
During an interview with Essence in March of 2021, Saweetie told the outlet that she had set up a non-profit organization with her grandmother called the Ice Baby Foundation, where she planned to help members of the AAPI community affected by hate crimes.
2. Jenny Echo
Source: beta
Jenny Aiko’s mother is of Dominican and Japanese descent while her father is of Native American, African American and German Jewish descent. The star’s music is as rich and varied as its heritage. With hit songs like “The Worst” and “Triggered”, Aiko has become an unstoppable force in the music industry.
Now she is using her massive platform to spread awareness of mental health and wellness issues.
Earlier this month, the City of Los Angeles named Aiko the official ambassador for “Mental Health is Health Month,” which will now be celebrated in May each year.
Aiko seized the opportunity when she accepted the big honor at City Hall, and opened up about her personal journey in mental health.
“When I started writing and performing music, my personal therapy was to help me get through things,” she said, according to Complex. “I didn’t know about therapy, I didn’t know much about mental illness or depression or anxiety. And I just found that turning my pain and suffering into an art form, and turning it into art, really helped me get through it.”
3. Kilis
Source: Kelis x Sample the World
“Milkshake” will live forever within the fabric of American musical culture as the best spanking tune in history all thanks to Kelis. Last year, the star, who is half Chinese, Puerto Rican and African American, hit fans with a new drive on the dance floor called “Midnight Snacks.”
4. Kimura Lee Simmons
Source: Getty
Kimora Lee Simmons brought innovation and style to the world of fashion as CEO of Baby Phat in 2010, and the company remains strong under her leadership. The mother of the rowdy businessman is half Japanese-Korean and her father is African-American.
5. Cassie
Source: Getty
Cassie’s mother is of African American, Mexican and West Indian descent while her father is a Filipino.
Her music career soared when record producer Ryan Leslie discovered her in 2004. She was later signed to group NextSelection Lifestyle where she released her hit song Me & U.
6. Tyson Beckford
Source: Getty
Tyson Pickford became famous in the 1990s as a model for high-end fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren. He was also the host of both seasons of Bravo Make me a model. Half of the Chinese and Jamaican stud appeared in a few films such as “Zoolander” 2001 and 2005 “Into The Blue”.
Now, at the age of 51, the flaming model has ventured to pursue more of his passion. In 2020, Pickford launched the new Orion Skye cologne line.
7. Her
Source: Getty
She won a Soul Train and two Grammys awards for her infectious songs in R&B at just 24 years old. Hare, whose real name is Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson, has become a true artist of our time and her words often speak of the social and political issues taking place in the world today.
In January 2021, HER’s single “Fight for You” appeared on the soundtrack to Judas and the Black Christ That called for social justice as police brutality and hate crimes rose across America.
“The verses only talk about struggle and they talk about that pain and what it means to fight for someone or something,” the half-Filipino, half black singer told the Los Angeles Times during an interview.
“I know there are a lot of people in my life who give me support and give me purpose. And I know there are certain things I do, I do for them, whether it’s my mom or someone else I love.”
8. Karrueche Tran
Source: Brandon Hicks
Karrueche has done it all! From acting in TV shows like claws And BET’s Games people play To display high fashion advertisements, all thanks to the acquisition of a large modeling contract with the prestigious modeling agency Wilhelmina.
Last year, Karuch made history by becoming the first AAPI woman to win a Daytime Emmy for her role as Vivian Johnson-Garrett on POPSTAR! TV Gulf. Born in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, she won Outstanding Performance by a Leading Actress in a Daytime Fantasy Program.
The 33-year-old celebrity is of Vietnamese and Jamaican heritage.
9. Naomi Osaka
Source: Getty
The four-time Grand Slam champion showed the world in 2021 that it’s okay to put your mental health first after pulling out of the French Open to take care of herself. Osaka has spoken openly about her challenges with depression and anxiety.
While she may be gaining more attention because of her courage and drive, the 24-year-old Haitian and Japanese beauty told people during a recent interview that she was “glad to have given others the opportunity to speak as well even if that wasn’t the intention or what I expected. She started a conversation I guess. We all need to start with it.”
10. Naomi Campbell
Source: Getty
Naomi Campbell started her modeling career at the age of 15 and has established herself among the most sought-after models over the past four decades so far at the age of 51, she is still serving the runway.
Campbell is of Afro-Jamaican descent, as well as of Chinese-Jamaican descent.
