Celebrating AAPI Heritage through a month of activations, learnings, and volunteering

At Shipt, we’re committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in all that we do and cultivating an environment that boosts belonging among our team. In May –  Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month – Shipt’s employee resource group named Shipt AAPI Unity and Community Engagement (or affectionately known as S.A.U.C.E.) spearheaded numerous initiatives that helped the whole company celebrate the Asian diaspora, learn and reflect during the heritage month.

"Planning and participating in AAPI Heritage Month events have sparked so much joy in my life — not only did I get to work with some amazing fellow AAPI coworkers, but I learned so much this month about mental health, the value of family, and the importance of your identity and culture,” said Morgan F., an associate project manager. “I used to shy away from my ethnicity because it made me different. It feels so refreshing and empowering to reclaim and be proud of my Asian identity, and to be able to celebrate that here at Shipt." 

Want to learn more about the various ways Shipt team members came together throughout the month? Read on! 

Fostering Intercultural Fluency Through Experiences

AAPI small business owners Wendy Lieu, CEO and chief chocolatier of Socola Chocolatier and Pauline Mai, owner of Dartealing Lounge were guest hosts of an engaging Chocolate Truffle and Tea Pairing session. More than 30 Shipt participants from all across the company signed up in advance and had delicious treats mailed to their homes, which they enjoyed while gaining a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship of making artisan chocolate and one-of-a-kind teas. 

Exploring AAPI Identity and Representation

Since May is also recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, the Shipt team welcomed Jeanie Chang, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and mental health thought leader. Chang spoke on the intersectionality of mental health and AAPI identity through the lens of Korean films - specifically how the themes and family dynamics in K-Dramas can reflect the need for a wider conversation on mental health in the AAPI community. 

Embracing Cultural Heritage and History

To close out the month, Shipt team members across Birmingham, San Francisco and Minneapolis volunteered their time and efforts to beautify local Japanese gardens. Japanese gardens hold immense cultural significance within the AAPI community, symbolizing unity and harmony in nature. Volunteers planted, weeded, and maintained garden beds all while learning more about the cultural significance of the plants. Following volunteer work, a guided tour provided insights into the history and unique features of these stunning gardens. For remote team members, a virtual tour of the Portland Japanese Garden allowed them to experience the beauty from afar. 

At Shipt, we’re committed to creating a culture that encourages team members to be their whole selves at work, and employee-led initiatives, microlearnings and events happen year round with just that spirit in mind. In addition to heritage month events, S.A.U.C.E. and allies come together to share resources and recommendations, connect in-person and online for community-related events, and give back to our local communities in intentional ways.