May marks Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, which celebrates the histories of Americans from across the Asian continent and from the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia! This year’s theme, chosen by the Federal Pacific American Council is “Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity.”

There are lots of ways people can celebrate Asian and Pacific Islanders and honor their experiences and cultures. Here are a few local ideas for Washingtonians:

• Check out this article from NLC written by our very own Bellevue Councilmember Janice Zahn on celebrating Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders
• Explore the events calendar sponsored by the Wing Luke Museum for community-driven programs encourage visitors to discover Seattle’s Chinatown-International District and the stories of the broader AANHPI community
• Attend an exhibit like this one hosted by the City of Bellevue to honor the contributions of Chinese railroad workers