May marks the 44th anniversary of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, which recognizes the many contributions, influences, and achievements of these communities. With recent events, this year is especially important to stand together and recognize the important achievements and vast impact this community has made in the United States.
Many of the invaluable contributions the AAPI community has made to our nation’s culture, arts, law, science and technology, sports, and public service have resulted in saving and protecting lives as well as changing for the better how we enjoy and live our daily life.
Did you know?
YouTube
Taiwanese American Steven Chen, along with Jawed Karim and Chad Hurley, developed the idea for YouTube in 2004 when they noticed that clips of news events were hard to find online.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Drive
When you use a USB drive to transfer documents, thank Indian-born American computer architect Ajay Bhatt who co-invented, developed, and launched it in 1990. He holds 132 U.S. and international patents.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Diagnostic Test
Originally from the Philippines, Katherine Luzuriaga, M.D., has made significant contributions to the understanding of persistent viral infections in children, developing one of the earliest diagnostic tests for HIV.
World War II and Veterans
Chinese-born physicist Chien-Shiung Wu, Ph.D., was instrumental in developing the field of atomic science, including the Manhattan Project. With more than 300,000 living Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander American veterans, these heroes are some of our most dedicated to our nation.
World-Renowned Architecture
The next time you go to a museum or public building, perhaps architect I.M. Pei designed it. Raised in Shanghai, he moved to the United States in 1935 and designed projects around the world including the Louvre pyramid, Javits Center, John Hancock Tower, National Gallery of Art, Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, and Dallas City Hall.
Supporting AAPI Associates at JCPenney
One of the ways we’re showing support is through our JCPenney Asian American Group (JAAG) Business Resource Team, a group of diverse JCPenney associates whose goal is to foster a positive, inclusive, and engaging work and shopping environment for Asian and Pacific Islander associates and allies.
Please join us in celebrating the many cultures, traditions, and voices represented by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during AAPI Heritage Month and throughout the year.
