What is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Month?
To celebrate the diversity of the United States, periods of time are dedicated to groups and/or communities of people who have made a significant impacts and contributions to American history and culture. During the month of May, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are recognized for their contributions and the struggles they have and continue to face.

AANHPI Month, like many other recognition months, started out as one week of engagement. The push to expand to a month came from a group of activists on Capitol Hill consisting of Senators, White House Staff and several other advocates. The month of May was chosen for two key reasons: May 7 marks the anniversary of the arrival of the first Japanese immigrant ship to arrive in the U. S. in 1843 and May 10, also known as Golden Spike Day, marks the anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869. The railroad was built with significant contributions from Chinese American workers and was the first major form of transportation connecting the U.S. coasts. These dates, alongside activism from these communities, urged the U.S. government to declare May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in 2009. 

What Does it Mean to be an Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander?
Understanding history is important but what does it mean to be part of this community? 

We asked AANHPI members of USA Swimming to share what being Asian American or Pacific Islander means to them, this is what they said:  

• To be an Asian American head coach means you have the responsibility to lead and inspire your team while representing the diverse Asian American community. It means breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes that might exist around Asian Americans in leadership positions. As a head coach, you have the power to create a positive and inclusive environment for all your athletes, regardless of their background. It also means serving as a role model for aspiring coaches and athletes in the Asian American community. You have the opportunity to inspire and mentor young athletes, showing them they too can achieve success in the sports world. Additionally, it means bringing your unique experiences and perspectives to the coaching profession and using them to improve the sport and create positive change within the community.” – Adrian Damasco, head coach, Austin Swim Club 
• “My father is from the Philippines (so I’m Filipina) and my mother is White Earth Chippewa/Slovenian. Being AANHPI means I feel like I have a responsibility to every kid who looks like me to make space for them in the places we’ve felt we weren’t welcome. For me that was in sports, that was in the professional world, even in life as a regular ol’ woman of color. I’m a constant counterpoint to stereotypes of what it means to be an Asian woman in America. That’s also why I’m committed to working with groups such as Asian Girls Ignite and serving on the Board of Directors for New American Leaders. If you can see it, you can be it, and I hope that one day I can be that example for another young person of color – Asian or otherwise. It also means I come at everything with a different world view. Asia and the Pacific Islands cover a large swath of the globe and we’re as different as the islands and nations that make up this diverse group. If there’s something that remains the same though, it’s commitment to family, tradition, the importance of education and self-growth, which I try to share every day, as well as through my understanding of another part of the world and practicing the traditions handed down to me of food, dance, storytelling and more. Working in communications is just another form of storytelling! P.S. I make a mean lumpia and pork adobo.” – Jessica Delos Reyes, USA Swimming staff
• “When I think about what it means to be an Asian American, culture and community immediately comes to mind. The importance of both cannot be understated, as they are foundational pillars to Asians of every origin. I am proud to share my Asian identity and culture with our swimming community as the two are more synonymous than one would think.” – Connie Wu, coach, Stamford Sailfish Aquatic Club
• “It’s my identity and the lens I move through life, similar to identifying as a female, mother, daughter and sister. It’s something I can’t and would never want to separate from. Being in sport and working in a space I truly have a deep connection to is so special because as a first-generation born, swimming provided me with opportunities I wouldn’t have otherwise had and a place I felt I belonged. I grew up in a somewhat homogeneous environment but there was a large percentage of other AANHPI for me to connect with, particularly on my swim team and in high school. Having that community that inherently understood the culture and things we deal with was huge in helping me move through life more confidently. Even now, to be able to represent not only myself but my community in a sport environment I love, holds a lot of weight and is the reason I am still here giving back to swimming. I want all athletes to feel like swimming is their home, a safe place to support them through life. It could be through the solid foundation it gives or the opportunities it provides.” – MJ Truex, USA Swimming staff

The AANHPI community is vast and vibrant within USA Swimming. We encourage members to take time during the month of May to celebrate our unique qualities, and the inclusive environments we make for others.  

Do you know an AANHPI member story worth sharing? Reach out to DEI staff here for a chance to be featured.