![]() Our AA and NHPI communities and their contributions are critical to the success of our work at NIH. These efforts align with the White House’s recent National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for AA and NHPI Communities. NIH will implement these practices to understand and examine any leadership gaps and how best to promote inclusion at NIH. One example is a collaboration between the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and the Federation of AA and NHPI Network (FAN) which partnered to develop recommendations for inclusive workforce analysis practices. Our identities are informed by our complex experiences with racism, sexism, ageism, classism, and we are committed to promoting best practices at NIH. This listening session was not a siloed effort, but instead represents another piece in a larger puzzle to center ourselves better culturally as we support and lift our colleagues. ![]() Participants shared their perspectives on workplace exclusion, underrepresentation in leadership, and how the effects of structural racism can create barriers to career advancement. To better understand the perspective of our AA and NHPI colleagues, NIH senior leaders held an NIH-wide listening session (must be connected to VPN) last summer to hear from the AA and NHPI community regarding issues affecting them in the workplace. ![]() As AA and NHPI communities have demonstrated, despite the increase in anti-Asian hate and violence since the COVID-19 pandemic, resilience and a stronger sense of identity and voice have been hallmarks of these communities. This critical priority affects all of our communities and plays out in how our AA and NHPI colleagues navigate their own identities. If our communities do not feel safe, our work towards cultivating a culture of belonging remains hampered. A White House fact sheet and the National Institute of Mental Health’s website provide disaster relief and mental health resources. It is a priority of NIH to provide culturally appropriate resources to all those affected by this trauma. Unfortunately, AA and NHPI individuals continue to be the target of and suffer from the impact of mass violence, such as the January 2023 shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California. Recognizing the individual value of our AA and NHPI colleagues complements the national theme, “ Visible Together.” The lived experiences of AA and NHPIs in the United States are shaped by many factors, including immigration status, family origin, and how other communities view and engage with AA and NHPIs in their daily interactions. NIH’s theme for this year, "Reclaiming My Identity," is inspired by the uniqueness and diversity that encompasses AA and NHPI communities. Join me for this year’s AA and NHPI Heritage Month as we continue this journey together.Įach May, the Nation celebrates Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month. There is much to celebrate, and even more to learn from each other. I am committed to working together with those who are interested in furthering the advancement of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We embrace the rich diversity embodied by our vibrant AA and NHPI community. Our audience was the President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPI within the White House Initiative on AA and NHPI. In February 2023, we had the unique occasion to assemble a small team of NIH subject matter experts to speak on matters relevant to health equity. Since the beginning of 2021, the White House has pledged to take actionable steps to address the needs of AA and NHPIs by developing and promoting policies focused on equity, opportunity, and justice for our communities. As we grow our legacy and roots as part of NIH’s overall mission, we are empowered to tell our stories, and redefine our future. This month, AA and NHPIs, at NIH and beyond, share their knowledge of how they live out success in their own definition. While we celebrate the invaluable dedication from this segment of the workforce, we are cognizant that our commitment in addressing the barriers and challenges that AA and NHPIs experience is both on-going and real. I am honored to present the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion’s 2023 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month Campaign – “Reclaiming My Identity.” This month, we focus on uplifting our colleagues from the AA and NHPI community by highlighting their contributions and experiences as part of the NIH workforce.
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