Honoring Legacy This Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
By Michelle A. Banks, Kohl’s Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer
This Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, we celebrate these communities' cultures, achievements and contributions. There are many different communities within the broader AANHPI community, and I enjoy learning about each of their vibrant cultures, traditions and experiences.
I recently spoke with Kohl’s Asian Pacific Business Resource Group (AP BRG) members to hear more about their unique experiences and how they commemorate the visionaries and trailblazers who have shaped our AANHPI history. During these conversations, I learned there are over 70 countries that fall under the AANHPI umbrella – that means several holidays are celebrated year-round, offering room for us to honor these communities 365 days of the year. I challenge us to use these moments to spark meaningful conversations with those around us and deepen our understanding of other cultures – it will only make us better.
Bringing Hawaiian Heritage To Our Customers
This year, I’m excited to highlight the native Hawaiian culture through Kohl’s exclusive partnership with Kris Pūnua (poo-noo-uh), a native Hawaiian and small business owner. Kris has designed exclusive apparel, accessories and home goods for our AANHPI Heritage Month Spotlight collection, which captures the colors and beauty of her Hawaiian roots. The passion Kris has for her heritage beautifully translates to her work, visually conveying her deep love for the people, her island home and her commitment to sustainability. Take a look at her below to see how Kris is bringing her Love of the Land to Kohl’s.
Customers can also shop Kohl’s AANHPI-owned assortment this AANHPI Heritage Month, including brands such as Back to the Roots and Open the Joy.
Additionally, I’m proud to share that Kohl’s will donate $100,000 to our National Partner, Alliance for a Healthier Generation, to support the organization’s AANHPI health equity champions, who cultivate diversity and health equity throughout AANHPI communities.
Get to Know a few of our AP BRG Members
Continue reading below to hear from a few of the AP BRG members I had the privilege of sitting down with. As I got to know them, I could only think, “Wow.” Their stories are admirable, and I am so grateful for their sharing.
Tiffany Taise, Kohl’s Contact Center Team Coordinator and AP BRG Field Ambassador
How will you be celebrating AANHPI Month this year?
We will celebrate our 2nd annual AP BRG mixer at Kohl’s San Antonio Contact Center this year. Last year, we had a fantastic turnout and over 30 people came out to experience Asian and Hawaiian cuisines, learn how to roll lumpia and learn hula dance. This year, we plan to continue to share AANHPI cuisines, sing karaoke, and learn how to make ribbon leis.
What makes you proud of your heritage?
Tofu comes to mind when I think of something proud of my heritage. It is deep within my roots. My great-grandfather had a tofu company in Hawaii. My Grandfather worked at this factory. In 1947, my Grandparents got married. Their honeymoon was to go to Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco and back to Hawaii. While in Los Angeles, my Grandpa saw a tofu factory that was not running and went in to help them. He ended up buying the company. In 1958, he was the pioneer in innovating the world’s first packaged tofu that was sold in grocery stores for household consumers. In 1983, he sold half the tofu company to a corporation in Japan and by 1993, he decided to sell the rest of the company to the same corporation. Although the tofu company is no longer in my family, I still see it on the shelves at the grocery stores. He had a vision and instilled hard work, perseverance, and resilience in all of us. Seeing that box of tofu at the grocery store reminds me of who I am and where I came from.
When I was a kid, I asked if he could make candy instead of tofu. His response was tofu is healthier. :)
Those who don't know you very well would be surprised to learn that…
March 3 is a day of celebration for my family and me. In Japan, it is Girl’s Day, which is dedicated to celebrating girls. From my mom, I was the oldest of 4 girls, and traditionally, she would set out a doll display of the emperor and empress. This display wished girls health, growth, prosperity and happiness. As I grew older, the tradition turned into taking us to dinner, usually at a ramen restaurant. I am a mother of 2 boys, yet we still go out to eat on March 3 to celebrate Girl's Day. Even though it is a day of commemorating girls, they must understand the importance of this Japanese holiday.
LiaKimberlee Faamausili, Kohl’s Customer Service Team Lead
What does Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?
AANHPI Month means the celebration of all cultures. When I was younger, I was a part of the API Mix of Cultures, where we performed Polynesian Dances and participated in fashion shows in native clothing. We also enjoyed various foods from around the world. I remember how proud I was to represent Samoa and share how we all come together as a family and celebrate each other.
What makes you proud of your heritage?
I am proud to be Samoan because we are all big-hearted people. Anyone and everyone we meet is always invited to our house to eat. We will feed you and give you leftovers for the next few months! We are very family-oriented and religious, giving thanks to all we have. We show our love through food, singing and dancing. The dances we perform always tell a story about our love for our island and the love we show our family and friends. “AIGA (family) OVER EVERYTHING” is always the motto.
Those who don't know you very well would be surprised to learn that…
My father was a High Chief in the Village of Masefao in Samoa. He was the only boy from a family of 7 and had to learn very young how to represent the village with pride. When he was of age, my father wanted to see what more there was in the world and what better way to do that than join the military. My Great Uncle Pika stepped in during my father's 20 years in the Army. When he took his leave from the military, he would travel back to Samoa to be present for the village. When he retired from the military, my father returned to Samoa as High Chief and traveled back and forth to take care of the village and our family. During this time, I took the initiative to travel with him to learn the importance of the High Chief role.
When my father passed in 2019, it was my turn as the eldest of five to take the role of High Chief, as my father did. Becoming a High Chief in our village of Masefao was a way to continue my father's legacy, which was initially a challenge for me. I was a woman in a role that was predominantly male. I constantly thought, “What would my Dad do?” and the answer was always, “Be strong!” Be strong enough to converse with the elders and be more involved with the decisions. I could find my voice, and I knew my father was looking down proudly, saying, “Now, that wasn't too bad, was it?”
Chastity Grant, Kohl’s Quality Assurance Team Lead
What does Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?
To me, AANHPI month represents an opportunity to acknowledge and honor my mother's culture. It allows me to share with my children the knowledge and traditions that have been passed down through generations despite living thousands of miles away in a different country. Additionally, it serves as a time for me to learn and teach my children about other cultures. Finding similarities across cultures brings us closer to one another, emphasizing that we are all part of the human race.
What makes you proud of your heritage?
South Korea boasts a rich cultural heritage that greatly emphasizes family values. Korean culture is characterized by hard work, obedience to family, protection of family, and proper decorum among family members. I am proud to belong to a culture that values family and hard work. Our forefathers worked tirelessly to establish these principles, and it is an honor to be part of a lineage that has upheld them. I respect their struggles and celebrate their successes along the way.
Those who don't know you very well would be surprised to learn that…
People are often surprised to hear me speak Hangul/Korean. Due to my mixed-race appearance, people tend to pre-judge me and assume I speak another language, but it never fails to catch them off guard when I speak Hangul.
Thank you again to Tiffany, LiaKimberlee and Chastity for sharing their stories, and thank you to the entire Kohl’s AP BRG for helping our associates learn more about AANHPI Heritage Month and creating moments to celebrate all month long.
Michelle A. Banks
