May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. We honor this time and space set aside to intentionally recognize and elevate those in the AAPI community. AAPI contributions to our businesses, educational institutions, agriculture, art, food, music and many other arenas, are innumerable.  Many know that the origins of the Asian American and Pacific Islander people can be traced back through many millennia. In all that time, AAPI peoples have been inserting innovations, discoveries and teachings into global communities. They have influenced cultures and beliefs in powerful ways.

This year, we choose the theme of Advancing Leaders Through Collaboration to highlight present and past AAPI leaders and businesses. Through collaboration we gain from the unique perspectives and lived experiences in our workplaces and beyond.  We draw attention to the need to deliberately foster AAPI community members. Make efforts to augment their existing talents with opportunities to grow, learn, teach and lead. In seeking out the contributions of AAPI individuals and organizations, we broaden and enrich the experiences of us all.  

We believe that partnering with AAPI owned and led businesses is just one more way to advance this community. The many brands and products that we deliver to our guests bring diversity, authenticity, and quite literally, flavor to their lives. Through economic collaboration our diversity, equity and inclusion values are seen and felt in very practical ways. We will continue to seek business partnerships and goods from women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQIA community.

In recent years, the AAPI community has battled an increase in sentiments of xenophobia, and even acts of violence. We stand against prejudices, hatred and violence, not just during this month of recognition, but always. When any one segment of our local or global community is persecuted, we are collectively affected.