Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Thomson Reuters Asian Affinity Network has events, activities, and more planned to recognize the contributions of Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Native Hawaiians. We met with the Co-chair of the Asian Affinity Network, Aishwarya, to hear her perspective on a range of questions. Read our Q&A with her below.

What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?

I have learned and continue learning a lot about the commendable legacy and history of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) across our nation. This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a time for me to reflect on the leadership, resilience, and courage shown by AANHPI communities amid a challenging year of pain and fear.

What issues matter most to you, that should have more attention?

AANHPI communities face systemic barriers to economic justice, health equity, educational attainment, and personal safety. Many in the community express that they feel different but acknowledge being different is powerful. Each of us should share our stories and vulnerabilities without fear. The more we share our own stories, the more others will feel empowered to come forward and share their experiences. I hope doing this will make people more accepting of themselves, resulting in a positive change within our communities.

You are the Co-chair of the Asian Affinity Network Business Resource Group (BRG) in Dallas. Why is this an important role for you?

Taking on the role of Co-chair of the Asian Affinity Network has been eye opening. Being South Asian, I was unaware of many other Asian cultures and traditions. However, organizing and participating in events like Lunar New Year and AANHPI Heritage Month has helped me appreciate the rich history and the diversity of cultures, backgrounds, and experiences. In addition, I have been able to collaborate, embrace the differences, and be an ally of other Business Resource Group (BRG) chapters, bringing together a sense of belonging to the Thomson Reuters family.

As an Asian woman working in technology, what barriers have you faced to get to this point in your career? How did you overcome these obstacles and how do you empower others to follow in your footsteps?

Culturally, as Asian women, we face barriers like not expressing our opinions or not having our voices heard. Over time, I have learned to start raising my hand and saying “yes” to things that I was not an expert on, but I had the confidence to figure out on the fly. By consistently accepting new opportunities and over delivering on any little thing you do, your efforts become recognized — and your voice heard.

My advice to others is that everyone has potential, but you need to unleash that hidden potential locked within yourself.

How do you plan on celebrating AANHPI month with your friends, family, and colleagues?