MAY I EXPLAIN
MAY I EXPLAIN why the month of May is very significant for Asian Americans and in particular, Chinese Americans? After all, this is the month dedicated to it.
The month of May was originally designated as Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Week in 1979, signed as a joint resolution by President Jimmy Carter in 1978.
But the seed of this recognition was led by a former Capitol Hill staffer, Jeanie Jew, who observed and was frustrated that during the U.S. Bicentennial (1976) there was the lack of recognition for the contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander people to America.
Photo: From Washington Post Obituary, 11.24.2024
So, Jeanie, a fourth-generation Chinese American and a great granddaughter of a Chinese immigrant who came to the U.S. in the 1800s to work on the transcontinental railroad, took action and advocated. Time Magazine story here.
This groundwork would eventually lead to further changes in 1992 when the whole month of May would be signed into law and recognized as Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
It was two significant U.S. Historical dates that were the impetus for selecting May.
May 7, 1843 is identified as the date of the first Japanese Immigrant, Nakahama Manjiro, who came to the United States (Massachu
May 10, 1869, known as “Golden Spike Day” commemorates the completion of the first transcontinental railroad, the most significant U.S. infrastructure project in history, mostly built by Chinese immigrants.
The Infamous Andrew J. Russell photo (Why aren’t there more Chinese in the photo?)
These efforts to recognize Asian Americans brings me to share some of my own personal (and significant) moments of recognition in a busy May 2026, in St. Louis and Missouri. The groundwork of Jeanie Jew has empowered others to carry on the torch of recognizing our great AAPI Community.
On May 3, 2026, the Very Asian Foundation (VAF) and the St. Louis Cardinals celebrated AAPI Heritage Month (against the LA Dodgers and Shohei Ohtani), honoring 5 trailblazing St. Louisans making meaningful contributions to the community and beyond. Historical Note: VAF was instrumental in getting the Cardinals to celebrate their first AAPI Theme Night in 2023.
2026 Honorees: Amy Buhr, Robin Hattori, Helen Lee, Min Liu, Tom Saito, Clare Nipper (jersey artist), Riley O’Brien (St. Louis Cardinal, Korean descent). Photo courtesy of the St. Louis Cardinals
Community Leaders, Robin Hattori, Helen Lee, Min Liu (Photo by Peter Tao, capture wife/partner Helen Lee).
2023 Inaugural Honorees: Soman Chainani, Anna Crosslin, Hosei Haruyama, Me, Michelle Li, Fredbird
Soon thereafter, on May 14, 2026 I was honored to give a specially created presentation to the St. Louis Cardinals, “How Sports Builds Bridges and Creates Opportunities-Selected STL Stories of Chinese American and Immigrant History,” where I wove in some Sports Stories and Trivia.
Photo courtesy of the St. Louis Cardinals
Coincidentally, at the 2023 VAF-Cardinals Celebration, was able to photo bomb the photo with one of those stories about a Chinese Immigrant Boy and The Great American Game. Read my blog here.
Finally (though we have a few more days in May), on May 19, 2026, I joined some of my AAPI Story Telling Colleagues to provide a presentation to the State of Missouri.
Much like Jeanie Jew, Anna Hui, the Director of the Missouri’s Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, has worked tirelessly to advocate, highlight and celebrate Asian American Heritage and the contributions made in Missouri. Anna is the first American of Asian descent to serve in the Missouri Legislature (2018).
2026 State of Missouri Proclamation
The Presentation Team with Anna Hui (red dress). Photo courtesy of State of Missouri.
For this year’s celebration, the theme centered around the Chinese American contributions to Missouri. My 10 minutes of fame and introduction:
Then some Missouri History Society St. Louis Chinese American History Initiative highlights (and human stories) by Christopher Gordon, Director of Library and Collections and myself.
Chinese Businesses. Laundries and Restaurants were early contributors.
An American Story, A Baseball Story, A Boy’s Story
Two Food Entrepreneurs who impacted the St. Louis Agricultural and Food Scenes.
The longest running Chop Suey Restaurant.
The presentation would continue with Dr. Min Liu and Yimin Zhu, of the St. Louis Chinese Culture and Education Services (CCES), with some historical background on the Chinese Culture Days festival, which celebrated its 30th Anniversary this year.
Photo: 1996 Festival, courtesy of CCES.
Photo: 2026 Festival and 30th Anniversary Celebration, courtesy of CCES.
Construction of the Margaret Grigg Nanjing Friendship Garden at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Construction Photos (1996)
And a performance by Olivia Rulin Zhang on the Chinese Erhu, with members of the St. Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra
To close, we are all connected in some way. And if we all pitch in to research and share, we may discover facts and stories that will illustrate we are better together and inspire us as we move forward.
Some Months of May connection facts from today’s Blog:
The history of the first Chinese Cultural festival in St. Louis actually dates to May 1983. William and Anne Tao (my parents), close friends with Dr. Peter Raven, were pivotal in advocating for a Chinese representation at the Missouri Botanical Garden; George Wang, Nelson Wu and Anna Lum were also key planners involved.
The St. Louis Chapter of OCA/The Organization of Chinese Americans (now OCA Asian Pacific Islanders Advocates) would be the lead organizer. OCA would eventually handover the torch to CCES and the current Chinese Culture Days festival.
Sadly, Dr. Raven, born in China, recently passed away. I am grateful of the relationship you held with my parents and how you advocated and promoted the Asian American culture. Learn more here:
On May 6, 1973, now 53 years hence, OCA was formed as 1 of 3 founding Chapters. The mission, to advocate and represent Chinese Americans. My father and a small group of leaders would pave the way.
The Washington DC Chapter serves as the National headquarters.
On May 6, 1882, the Chinese Exclusion Act would be signed by President Chester A. Arthur, which is the historical moment (and law banning Chinese) that has been catalyzing the Chinese American Communities throughout the U.S. to promote more awareness and stories about this unjust/unfair law and treatment.
On May 27, 1943, the Magnuson Act would be signed to repeal the Chinese Exclusion Act, which permit some Chinese immigrants to become naturalized citizens. BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE. It was not as much a breakthrough as it appeared. There was a quota to admit only 105 visas.
While I am grateful that there is a Month of May to focus attention on the great Asian American contributions made in and for the U.S., we don’t have to only care 1 out of 12 months. Share your Stories every day.
#AANHPIHeritageMonth
#AAPIHeritageMonth
#ChineseAmericanHistory
#ImmigrantsMakeAmericaGreat
