Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

This month we are celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Since 1992, May has been designated to honor the contributions the AAPI community has made to America in science, health care, food, legal and government spaces and America’s culture including the athletic, music, film and entertainment industries.

Inspiring AAPI Figures in the Community

To celebrate, the Stewart team came together to highlight several key figures in the AAPI community who have introduced people to their heritage by bridging their culture with their talents and aspirations. From musicians, congresswomen, filmmakers to professional athletes, see who inspires us:

Yo-Yo Ma is a Chinese American classical musician and performer. He started playing the cello at the age of four and quickly became a musical prodigy. He has recorded over 100 albums and received 19 Grammy Awards for his performances as a soloist and with orchestras around the world. His music supports his commitment to connect humanity.

Dwayne Johnson is a Samoan American actor and athlete known for his professional wrestling career. He wrestled for the World Wrestling Federation (WWE) for eight years before becoming an actor.

Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian American woman to go to space. She was also the first woman to study aeronautical engineering at Punjab Engineering College in India. She is regarded as a national hero in East Punjab, which is where she was born.

Jackie Chan is a Hong Kong actor, filmmaker and martial artist who became known for performing his own stunts. He has starred in more than 150 films, becoming one of the most popular actors for his impact on cultures both in the United States and Eastern regions.

Tammy Duckworth is the first Thai American woman and first woman with a disability to be elected to Congress. She is also the first double amputee to serve in the Senate after a grenade attack in Iraq. She earned a Purple Heart for her bravery and perseverance.

Bruce Lee was a Chinese American martial artist who helped transform how people viewed Asians and Asian men, especially in American films. The strength he showed on film left many inspired including African American and Hispanic audiences. Lee wanted to bridge Eastern and Western styles of martial arts. The Bruce Lee Foundation continues the mission of bridging culture and humanity. Lee is credited for developing an expression of martial arts called Jeet Kune Do. (link to). Today, he is remembered as one of the most influential martial artists of all time.

Nathan Chen became the first Asian American man to medal in figure skating singles when he competed in the 2022 Winter Olympics. His speed on ice and incredible spins and jumps during his competitions have led him to be ranked number one in the world for the International Skate Union.

Chef Chris Cho is on a mission to share Korean inspired dishes with the world. The Philadelphia native posts videos weekly on YouTube sharing recipes that he grew up making with his family. He became popular during the pandemic when he shared instructional cooking videos on TikTok.

Patsy T. Mink was the first woman of color, first Asian American woman, and third-generation Japanese American to be elected to the House of Representatives. The racial barriers she was able to break down caused her to be an advocate for women, gender equality, and for the AAPI community.

Here at Stewart, we embrace the unique backgrounds and perspectives that our employees and neighbors share. This Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we seek to honor and support the communities we live in and serve. Visit our Culture of Caring page to see other ways Stewart seeks to support our communities.

Learn more about AAPI Month

Visit our blog to read about how Asian Americans have impacted the real estate industry:
Celebrating the Impact of Asian Americans in Real Estate