Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month in Virginia

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Take a look into Asian Pacific Americans' impact on Virginia's past, present, and future.

Events

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage at these locations across the Commonwealth.

Noteworthy Asian Pacific Virginians

Throughout the month of May, the spotlight is on noteworthy Asian Pacific Virginians of Virginia's past, present, and future.

Photo of Pearl Fu

Pearl Fu

Civic Leader

Pearl Fu lived what she calls a "cloistered" childhood in Yunnan Province, a remote, mountainous region of southwestern China that is home to more than a third of China's ethnic minorities, including the Yi. She grew up in a prominent political family that moved to Hong Kong. Her mother nurtured the traditions of the Yi and taught her children to cook their native cuisine.
 

Learn More about Pearl Fu

Photo of Praveen Meyyan

Praveen Meyyan

The Economist

Praveen Meyyan is a Northern Virginia based Economist and AAPI Community Leader. Originally an immigrant from India, Praveen moved from India to the United States over 30 years ago, as his parents pursued the American Dream. Praveen has spent a decade in Virginia working to empower those within the AAPI community, make their voices heard and to help train a new generation of leaders. 

Learn More about Praveen Meyyan

Photo of Jenny Han

Jenny Han

The Author

Jenny Han is an American author of young adult fiction and children's fiction. She is best known for writing The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy and the To All the Boys series, the latter of which was adapted into a film of the same name in 2018 starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo.

Jenny Han was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia. She graduated from Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies.

Learn More about Jenny Han

Learning Resources

Check out the resources below to learn more on Asian American's impact on the history of Virginia.