May is Asian Pacific American heritage month. What it really means to some AAPI members.

"Maraming salamat po!" "Xiexie!" "Cam on!" "Kamsahamnida!" "Arigato!" "Khob Khun!"

Let's begin this roundup by saying "thank you" in various Asian languages − Tagalog, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and Thai − to all the Asians and Asian Americans in news and pop culture who influenced so many of us growing up in the States.

Perhaps you never realized the impact you had − many of us can relate to being "the only" in the room, and if we saw another Asian, we likely befriended them. It was the same for Asian actors and Asian journalists. If we saw you on TV or the big screen, you had a new fan.

With global success stories such as "Crazy Rich Asians" (ahem, the books and the film), K-pop, "Squid Game," "Beef" and "Everything Everywhere All at Once," it might seem like Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are everything and everywhere − all at once. But we've been here. For years. We just weren't necessarily seen or heard.

That's changed. The world has changed. We're watching, we're listening, we're supporting each other.

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In honor of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Gannett’s Asian American Forward Employee Resource Group, which connects almost 130 Asian American employees and allies across the company, wanted to highlight the many rich traditions across cultures.

AAPI month, held every May, is a time to celebrate and honor the contributions Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans have made to our nation’s history, society and culture.

Thuan Le Elston, Editorial Board member at USA TODAY, was born in Saigon and often writes about her Vietnamese heritage for USA TODAY: "It's all of our America. We all contribute to it. It's up to us to make America be the America that it should be and what we want it to be."

We asked members of our ERG, one of 12 in the USA TODAY Network, to answer this question: What does AAPI month mean to me?

'We only ever learn about white men' in U.S. history

A few weeks ago, my 9-year-old son asked me why he almost never learns about Asian American historical figures and heroes at school. He said, “We only ever learn about the white men in American history.” I told him there are a lot of people working hard to change that, so he and his friends will soon be learning about AAPI contributions to our history and society throughout the school year and not just during AAPI heritage month.

This month reinforces for me why we need to continue to celebrate and support community leaders like the ones that formed Make Us Visible, who helped lead efforts to pass legislation that requires the inclusion of AAPI history in K-12 schools in several states, including New Jersey, where my family and I are lucky to live. It is also a reminder that this legislation is only the beginning of the work happening at the school district level in creating and implementing the curriculum. There is also the work I and other parents are doing to hold our school boards accountable, so our kids no longer need to wonder, "Where are the heroes that look like me in history books?"

− Caroline Harris, vice president of Partnerships for Gannett

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I was always 'too' something or 'not enough'

I was always “too" something or “not enough” of another growing up.

I feel grateful that I am at a point in my life where I can own my experiences and be proud of my identity as an Asian American immigrant woman, but it was definitely not without its challenges.

Though I am elated we are progressing toward a future that acknowledges diversity and values differences, I know others can relate when I say adapting is a survival skill. I have been awarded the opportunity to look at everything through a diverse lens and understand the nuances that come with unique cultural and ethnic competencies.

What AAPI heritage month means to me is celebrating the harmony created from the songs of my cultures. It seems that I am American when I am in the Philippines, but I am Filipina when I am in America. I don’t think there should be a dissonance between the two. Recognizing that our identity is multidimensional and uplifting that multidimensional-ness is what makes society so rich.

It is a wonderful thing to be part of the AAPI community, and what being AAPI means to me is ensuring others know that it is a wonderful thing, too.

− Ari Latras, client success manager at Gannett

This is America It's not just Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month anymore

I was usually the only Asian student in my class

I grew up in Phoenix in the 1990s when the population of Asians was less than 2%. Throughout my childhood, I was usually the only Asian student in my class.

This meant that I became the representative of Asian culture to many of my peers. I would entertain questions like, “You speak Chinese? Teach me some bad words!” Or “What do you eat? Does it always have rice?” became the norm.

Now some people will see those questions as offensive, but coming from another 10-year-old, I saw this as genuine curiosity about Asian culture from someone who has never seen someone like me before. In their minds, "What is Asian culture?" and, in particular, "What is Asian culture in America?" mean the same thing. I see AAPI heritage month as an opportunity to bridge that knowledge gap − creating a space on the calendar where Asian culture can take the spotlight, answer those questions and provide more context and knowledge to inquiring minds.

To me, AAPI heritage month is a proud step forward into a world where Asian minorities can be seen, heard and be recognized for our contributions to society. This month recognizes not only the rich diverse history of all Asian ethnicities and our achievements, but also the acknowledgment that Asians are an important pillar in progressing the future of America throughout all aspects of American life.

− Martin Li, client advocacy manager at Gannett based in Arizona

We need representation of all types, across all industries

When I think about AAPI month, I'm proud that the nation puts a spotlight on the individuals past and present making a difference across all industries. For too long, the collective have been put to the side, their contributions and insights ignored, gone unrecognized or attributed to others. Every year I learn so much about Asians in different industries doing incredible work, and I'm delighted they can get their flowers.

We need representation of all types, across all industries. I hope we can get to a point where our representation is part of a regular rotation, but for now I'm so grateful we have the opportunity to showcase us, completely.

− Em Chan, food and dining reporter for the Statesman Journal

'Where are you really from?'

As a journalist, I tell people's stories, especially others who, like me, don't quite fit typical molds. I believe that when people can see Asian Americans and other minorities as three-dimensional human beings as opposed to stereotypes, it can help our nation become stronger and heal the divisions in our society that I fear have worsened in recent years.

When AAPI hate crimes began to rise in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, my background as an Asian American helped gain the trust of the owners of a family-run Korean restaurant in the Daytona Beach area who had become the targets of ongoing harassment because of their ethnicity and the beliefs by some that those of Asian heritage were somehow responsible for the spread of the coronavirus.

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I shared their story in The Daytona Beach News-Journal, then wrote an opinion column for USA TODAY about my own experiences dealing with anti-Asian sentiment. That generated responses from readers from across the country, many of whom were Asian American.

When I was growing up, I don't believe the term "AAPI" existed. I often would be asked by those I met where I was from, and when I would answer that I was from Seattle, they would respond, "No, where are you really from?" And when people would talk about minorities, often they would refer to African Americans and those of Latino descent, but not Asian Americans. It would make me feel invisible.

Fast-forward to today: To have the entire month of May designated as national AAPI month gives me a tremendous feeling. Finally, we Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are not only being seen, but are accepted as Americans.

− Clayton Park, business editor, Daytona Beach News-Journal

Our voices and opinions matter – no matter if it’s a boardroom of executives or a daily news meeting

As a young journalist coming up through the ranks, I found so much support and camaraderie through the Asian American Journalists Association. Early in my career, I was the only Asian American in my sports department, but I never felt alone because of my ties to AAJA. Several of those early connections at AAJA became lifelong friends and leaders in our industry.

Today there are few Asian American women in sports leadership. Last year I was part of a group of editors who met with some of the most powerful figures in sports, including commissioners from the NHL, MLB, WNBA and NBA. During those moments where I was the only woman of color among my peers, I was reminded that representation matters. Our voices and opinions matter – no matter if it’s a boardroom of executives or a daily news meeting. I am proud to be part of an employee resource group that celebrates our heritage and seeks to build community.

− Roxanna Scott, executive editor and vice president at USA TODAY Sports

I grew up in China and live in the U.S. I want to connect with AAPI individuals and allies

During this special month, I am reminded of the importance of not only cherishing our shared heritage, but also valuing the diverse narratives and personal journeys that enrich our collective experience.

After growing up in China, I embraced a new chapter as a young adult: moving to the United States. For more than a decade, I've connected with so many inspiring AAPI individuals and allies from various backgrounds. These connections illustrate the significance of fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment that celebrates our collective cultural legacy, and at the same time, enables everyone to thrive.

My role focuses on people analytics at Gannett, and I'm passionate about using my own experiences and skill sets to help advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.

− Jessie Zhen, People Analytics Specialist at Gannett

Jennifer Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida and co-chair of Gannett's Asian American Forward employee resource group. Clayton Park and Jessie Zhen also serve on the ERG board. For more information, visit gannett.com/inclusion.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: AAPI month: Yes to more Asian representation, diversity, inclusion