Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is coming up in May, a time to celebrate the rich history and culture of the AAPI community. This year, it is even more important to acknowledge the vast diversity and culture of this community in light of the recent attacks and rise in hate crimes. Here are just a few notable speakers who proudly talk about their Asian heritage.

Korean American pop superstar, entrepreneur, and podcast host ERIC NAM is known for having meaningful discussions about heritage, culture, and representation in the music industry. Watch his recent CNN appearance and read his Op Ed for TIME.

Journalist and author of Somewhere Inside: One Sister's Captivity in North Korea and the Other's Fight to Bring Her Home LAURA LING speaks about the Asian representation and the importance of diversity.

Model, artist, and activist CHELLA MAN found he didn’t have role models to look up to as a deaf, genderqueer, Chinese, and Jewish individual, and now he is celebrated for his motto "be your own representation." His Ted Talk, "Becoming Him," offers an empowering investigation of gender, identity, race and disability, and his new book titled Continuum discusses his story of identity, coping, and resilience.

Viral BuzzFeed writer, producer, director, and actress ASHLY PEREZ is a queer first generation American, focusing on telling underrepresented stories through her writing and to audiences. She speaks about Asian representation in media and more.

Two-time winner of Dancing With the Stars CHERYL BURKE discusses the vast diversity of the AAPI community, the model minority myth, and representation for the AAPI community.

Emmy-winning writer and Executive Producer ALAN YANG wrote and directed the feature film Tigertail, loosely based on his family's immigration story from Taiwan. Yang uses the tools of his trade to advocate for Asian Americans and immigrant communities.

President & CEO of Time's Up TINA TCHEN shares her unique perspective and insights on workforce diversity and inclusion and empowers the next generation to raise their voices and take action now to secure a better tomorrow for women and minorities across the country and world.

Creator and host of Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj and Peabody award-winning comedian HASAN MINHAJ is a first generation American from a Muslim family in India. In his comedy and at speaking engagements, he draws on his personal history and the immigrant experience to explore his heritage and modern culture with depth and sincerity.

Trailblazing modern Californian-Asian Cuisine Chef & entrepreneur MELISSA KING is known for her technical precision and ability to blend modern California cuisine with Asian flavors. As a proud Asian-American, queer woman, Chef King is passionate about cultural inclusivity, media representation, environmental sustainability, and social justice.

Emmy award-winning journalist, executive producer, and host of the PBS series We'll Meet Again, and the TNT/TBS series Chasing the Cure, ANN CURRY reveals the human side of major world events such as the Vietnam War, Japanese internment during WWII, and more. Curry brings the same passion, insight, and inspiration to each of her engagements, providing audiences with a thought-provoking and utterly captivating perspective on the world. 

Star of Emmy-winning Netflix hit Queer Eye and bestselling author TAN FRANCE shares empowering lessons on creativity and innovation, diversity and inclusion, and what it was like to grow up gay in a traditional South Asian family. He provides a unique perspective on the happiness found in being yourself. 

Award-winning actor, writer, producer, musician, and director RIZ AHMED is an activist focused on diversity and representation. He’s spoken on harmful stereotypes and representation, providing powerful remarks on diversity and inclusion, combating negative stereotypes, and harnessing creativity for good.

Award-winning chef and founder of Momofuko, restaurateur, bestselling author DAVID CHANG is the host of Netflix's Ugly Delicious, an eight-part Netflix original documentary series about foods we love and the stories that shape them. Chang speaks about honoring the cultures that ethnic food comes from and navigating the tug between two cultures as an Asian-American child growing up.

Award-winning YouTube personality and comedian, executive producer and host of A Little Late with Lilly Singh, and bestselling author LILLY SINGH offers hilarious, empowering, and informative conversations about her career, diversity, and activism. Opening up about her own obstacles and triumphs as an openly LGBTQ+ woman of Indian descent, she inspires audiences to find their own voice and start their own movement. 

Trailblazing Pakistani-American podcast host MISHA EUCEPH talks to audiences about learning to belong as an immigrant in America, holding onto her heritage, and elevating marginalized voices.

Executive producer and host of CNN's This is Life with Lisa Ling, and Emmy award-winning journalist LISA LING provokes audiences to think differently about the people and world around them as she shares about her heritage and travels. Shining a rare and uniquely human light on stories often overlooked by the media, she inspires audiences to open their eyes and minds, and expand their horizons. 

Critically acclaimed actor, bestselling author, comedian, musician, and artist MARGARET CHO uses comedy to share her views on race, sexuality, family, politics, and more. Margaret’s socially aware, no-holds-barred type of comedy has made her both a thought leader and a tolerant teacher for those with open minds and open hearts.

Emmy-nominated Host and Producer of Top Chef and Host of Taste The Nation as well as a New York Times bestselling author, PADMA LAKSHMI speaks to audiences about her Indian heritage and how it has influenced her career.