History
Why is AAPI Heritage Month in May? Name at least one of the two primary reasons
It celebrates when the first Japanese immigrants came to the U.S., and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad (May 1969)
The railroad helped open up the West to settlement and development. Nearly 20,000 Chinese laborers worked in hazardous and even deadly conditions for low wages to construct it.
How many people (or approximately what percentage) of people identify as AAPI in the U.S.?
25.2 million (approximately 7.1% of total U.S. Population)
The youngest of five children of Chinese immigrants, this famous director, producer, and screenwriter, began making movies in 5th grade. Known for both Romance/Dance/Action, they have produced over 18 movies today.
Bonus: 2x if you can name 2 of their movies
Jonathan Chu
Step Up 2: The Streets (2008)
Step Up 3D
Justin Bieber: Never Say Never (2011)
GI Joe: Retaliation (2013)
Now You See Me 2 (2016)
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
In the Heights (2021)
Wicked (2024)
This popular sitcom followed the life of a charming and ambitious obstetrician/gynecologist in NYC.
Bonus: How many seasons of the show were there
The Mindy Project
Bonus: 6 seasons
With over 96 stores across the United States, this grocery chain specializes in Asian groceries and housewares.
Bonus: what does the full name stand for
H Mart
Bonus: H stands for “Han Ah Reum” – which translates to one arm full of groceries
Fun Fact: the first H Mart was founded in Woodside, Queens in 1982
Fun Fact: the largest H Mart is located in West Jordan, Utah – 100,000 square feet in June 2024
What caused the first large-scale Asian immigration?
California Gold Rush (1848-1855)
The California Gold Rush was a period of intense gold mining activity that began in California in 1848 and lasted until the early 1850s. The discovery of gold by James Marshall at Sutter's Mill sparked a massive migration to California, attracting people from around the world seeking their fortune. The gold rush significantly impacted California's development, leading to rapid population growth, economic expansion, and the establishment of new towns.
In 1852, at the peak of immigration, around 20,000 Chinese arrived, constituting nearly 30% of all immigrants.
Approximately what percentage of businesses in the United States are Asian-Owned?
1 out of 10 or 581,200 or 10%
Fun fact: Asian-owned businesses contribute $1.2 trillion in receipts and over 5.2 million jobs to the US economy (Census, as of 2022)
This NFL player is known for his accuracy and reliability. Having immigrated to the states at 12 years old, he has credited football with helping him integrate into American culture.
Bonus: If you know his team
DOUBLE bonus: if you know his jersey number
Younghoe Koo
Bonus: Atlanta Falcons
Bonus: #7
This Netflix series focuses on a first-generation Indian American teenager and her journey through grief and high school
(Bonus if you can name the narrator of the series)
“Never Have I Ever”
Bonus: John McEnroe
Founded in Queens, this is the most popular bubble tea chain in the US, boasting over 350 locations across the country.
Kung Fu Tea
This Chinese American was beaten to death in a hate crime by two auto workers who blamed him for the massive layoffs occurring in the auto industry in 1982
Vincent Chin
On the night of his Bachelor party, Chin was beaten to death by Ebens and Nitz with a baseball bat, thinking he was Japanese, whom they blamed for the auto industry layoffs. These men were arrested and released the same night of the murder. The judge who gave the sentencing offered the following explanation: “These aren’t the kind of men you send to jail. You fit the punishment to the criminal, not the crime.”
Which state has the lowest population of Asians?
2x points if you can guess the percentage
Montana
Bonus: 1.2%
This figure skater was the first Asian American to win an Olympic gold medal in figure skating.
Kristi Yamaguchi
Note: If you said Michelle Kwan, while she was a decorated Olympic medalist, she won Silver and Bronze
This cultural organization and nonprofit is focused on supporting and empowering Asian Pacific creatives, entrepreneurs, and leaders.
Gold House
Fun fact: In 2025, they announced a $30 million fund to boost API leadership in the corporate world.
This NYC fast-casual restaurant chain has 11 locations, which include the recent acquisition of 6 Beatnic (formerly known as By Chloe) locations.
Inday
What was the interment of Japanese Americans during World War II?
Bonus points if you can say how many Japanese Americans were impacted.
Japanese Americans were put in internment camps during World War II primarily due to fear of espionage and sabotage after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Executive Order 9066, signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, authorized the relocation of people of Japanese descent from designated military areas, particularly on the West Coast, to camps in remote inland locations. This decision was driven by a combination of racial prejudice, wartime hysteria, and political pressure, even though there was a complete lack of evidence to support the claim that Japanese Americans posed a threat.
Bonus: 120k
What are the three largest origin groups for the US Asian population?
Note: all three are needed for full credit – partial credit is up to host’s discretion.
Born Micheal Ray Nguyen-Stevenson in Compton, California, this American rapper is of both Jamaican and Vietnamese descent.
Tyga
His mother, Pasionaye Nicole Nguyen, was Vietnamese, and he is also of Jamaican descent through his father, Stevie J. Stevenson. Tyga's real name is Micheal Ray Nguyen-Stevenson, reflecting his mixed heritage. He has a “Vietnam” tattoo.
Fun fact: Tyga's stage name is short for "Thank You God Always".
This fast fashion retail giant was founded in 1984 in LA by Korean Americans Do Won Chang and Jin Sook Chang. At its peak, this line had more than 800 stores around the world and raked in more than $4 bn in sales.
Forever 21
Fun fact: Forever 21 has been known to include a religious message, specifically the Bible verse John 3:16, on its iconic yellow shopping bags. The verse, which reads, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life," was added at the request of the company's founders, Do Won and Jin Sook Chang, who are deeply religious.
This fried egg omelet, often served with savory sauce (typically gravy) and rice is said to have been invented by Chinese chefs in America as a way to use up leftovers and cater to American palates.
Egg foo young
What were the Bellingham Riots?
Bonus points if you can say what year.
On September 4th, 1907 five hundred white working men in Bellingham, WA gathered to drive a community of South Asian migrant workers out of the city. With the mission of “scar[ing] them so badly that they will not crowd white labor out of the mills,” the growing mob rallied and went to work.1 The rioters moved through town, breaking windows, throwing rocks, indiscriminately beating people, overpowering a few police officers, and pulling men out of their workplaces and homes. They eventually rounded up two hundred or so of the South Asian immigrant workers in the basement of City Hall to stay the night. The mob was successful in that within ten days the entire South Asian population departed town. Despite promises of protections from city officials, the South Asian workers well understood that there was no protection for them in Bellingham and migrated up and down the Pacific coast looking for safer and saner living conditions.
Another significant event was the Rock Springs Massacre in Wyoming (September 2, 1885). The riot, and resulting massacre of immigrant Chinese miners by white immigrant minors, was the result of racial prejudice toward the Chinese minors, who were perceived to be taking jobs from the white minors. The Union Pacific Coal Department economically benefitted from hiring Chinese miners, who were willing to work for lower wages. At the end of the riot, at least 28 Chinese miners were dead and 78 Chinese homes were burned down.
Bonus: 1907
What are the three Pacific Islands regions?
Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia
This author is most known for her 1989 novel, which focused on the relationships between Chinese American women and their Chinese immigrant mothers.
Amy Tan – The Joy Luck Club
Her 1989 book ended up on The New York Times bestseller list for more than six months and spawned a 1993 movie — which Tan co-wrote — that brought in $32 million worldwide
This film centers on a Korean American family who moves to an Arkansas farm in search of its own American dream. Amidst the challenges of this new life in the strange and rugged Ozarks, they discover the undeniable resilience of family and what really makes a home.
Bonus: Who directed this film
Minari
Fun Fact: "Minari" won a total of 68 awards. The film also received 6 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Original Score. Notably, Yuh-Jung Youn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Bonus: Lee Isaac Chung
What two countries heavily incorporate “SPAM” into their dishes, and what is the reason why?
The Philippines and Korea – when U.S. Armed Forces were stationed in these countries, they ate cheap canned meat, a.k.a SPAM. When soldiers left, the countries had an abundance of these, and they became incorporated into their food (i.e. Filipino SPAM, egg and Rice and Korea’s Budae Jiggae)