Honoring AANHPI Heritage Month at OpenSesame: Culture Work is Business Work

By Liza Wisner

Have you ever walked into a space and immediately felt like you didn’t quite belong?
Or, on the flip side, been in a room where something about the atmosphere made you feel truly seen—like your story, your background, your whole self was not just welcome, but celebrated?

That feeling isn’t accidental. It’s created.

In the workplace, that kind of belonging is built intentionally—through everyday interactions and through the moments we choose to pause and honor one another. That’s why celebrating cultural holidays and observances matters. It’s not just about checking a calendar—it’s about checking in with people.

When we take time to recognize the diverse histories, identities, and traditions that shape our teams, we send a clear message: You belong here. All of you.

Why AANHPI heritage month matters

Every May, the U.S. honors Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month—a time to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of AANHPI communities to American history, society, and culture.

As someone who is deeply committed to workplace culture, I understand how important visibility, representation, and education are. Observing months like this isn’t about checking a box—it’s about creating space for people to be seen and heard, and for all of us to grow in understanding.

But it’s also important to acknowledge the complexity of these celebrations.

In a recent reflection, Hideko Akashi, a subject matter expert with SunShower Learning and founder of Liberation Consulting, shared with me her own mixed feelings about AANHPI Heritage Month:

“It was wonderful to have my mom come in and share our heritage with others. It was also problematic that it just felt like a one day out of the entire year where I was recognized and celebrated for my heritage… It felt tokenizing in some ways.”

Hideko’s story reminds us that representation must go deeper than visibility for a single month—it must be woven into the fabric of how we educate, engage, and empower every person in our workplaces all year long.

Learning as a celebration

One way we live out this commitment is through learning—intentional, reflective, community-driven learning. This month, I’m excited to spotlight a powerful learning journey curated by someone who brings both deep expertise and heart to everything she does: Charise Frias, our Enterprise Curator of Wellness here at OpenSesame.

Charise isn’t just curating content—she’s curating care. With over six years of experience helping organizations build impactful wellness programs, she brings a unique blend of professional insight and personal passion. She’s a certified yoga instructor who studied mindfulness, breathing techniques, and Ayurvedic medicine in India, and she channels that energy into her work every day.

This May, Charise created a learning experience that does more than check a box for AANHPI Heritage Month—it honors identity, promotes understanding, and invites us all to grow.

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Month
51 courses | 9.5 hours of learning | Curated for growth and reflection

This isn’t just a learning playlist—it’s a powerful invitation to explore identity, history, and belonging through a wide range of formats and voices.

A few must-watch picks:

• Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at Work – A quick and impactful course to spark dialogue.
• Understanding the Complexity of the AAPI Experience – Created with SunShower Learning and featuring Hideko Akashi, this course explores identity in layered, deeply personal ways.
• TED Talks from AAPI Changemakers – Featuring powerful insights from Angela Lee Duckworth, Chieh Huang, Rebeca Hwang, and more.
• Disarming Microaggressions with Dr. Derald Wing Sue – A 21-day plan to build awareness, resilience, and accountability in how we engage each other.

How culture work is business work

As someone who works every day to help organizations improve workplace culture, I’ve seen what happens when companies invest in their employees—not just in words, but in action. When people feel valued and celebrated for all of who they are, they show up more fully. They collaborate better. They innovate more.

But honoring culture also means being honest about what’s still missing. As Hideko reminds us:

“There’s something about highlighting these months that can be both uplifting and problematic. It can feel like the dominant culture is the canvas upon which all other groups are painted.”

To build workplaces that truly reflect diversity, equity, and belonging, we must go beyond performative acts. We need to do the work: examining policies, removing barriers, and ensuring every team member sees themselves not only in our celebrations—but in our leadership, our systems, and our decision-making.

Let’s Keep Showing Up

If you’re a leader looking to create more inclusive spaces, or someone who simply wants to learn more—this is a great place to start. Charise’s playlist is ready to support your growth, whether it’s five minutes or five courses at a time.

And if you’re wondering where to go from here, the answer is simple:
Keep showing up. Keep listening. Keep learning.

Because when we celebrate each other—not just in designated months, but every day—we grow stronger. Together. Let’s continue to honor every story that makes our workplaces richer, more dynamic, and more human.

Learn more about our featured experts:

Charise Frias – Enterprise Curator of Wellness, OpenSesame
With over six years of experience helping organizations deliver impactful wellness programs, Charise specializes in health and well-being content that supports employees from the inside out. She’s a certified yoga instructor, a mindfulness practitioner, and a dedicated advocate for workplace wellness.

Hideko Akashi – Founder, Liberation Consulting, Course Creator, SunShower Learning
Hideko is a seasoned educator, facilitator, and consultant with more than 20 years of experience challenging individuals and institutions to deepen their equity and inclusion practices. She is the creator of Understanding the Complexity of the AAPI Experience and the forthcoming Expanding the Gender Binary, both available through OpenSesame and SunShower Learning.