Over 1,000 Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders will join the celebrations of AA and NHPI Heritage Month on May 13 with the theme of “Bridging Histories, Shaping Our Future.”

The White House Initiative on AANHPI and the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center announced their joint 2024 theme for AA and NHPI Heritage Month Wednesday.

“Since the late 1970s, our country has recognized the invaluable contributions of AA and NHPI communities each May,” according to a press release. “For more than a decade, the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and WHIAANHPI have collaborated to identify a national theme for AA and NHPI Heritage Month in consultation with the White House and community partners. “

READ: Push for including AANHPI history curricula in New York public school (May 25, 2023)

Previous themes such as “I Am Beyond” (2014) and “Visible Together” (2023) have been warmly embraced, both by federal agencies and community-serving organizations, and have served as catalysts for meaningful dialogue around AA and NHPI identity, it stated.

“The 2024 theme is an homage to our ancestors and invites all Americans to delve into the legacies, triumphs, and challenges that have shaped AA and NHPI communities,” the release stated.

READ: White House releases national strategy for AANHPI communities (January 17, 2023)

“It embodies the spirit of our collective journey – one rooted in resilience and hope – and encourages us to forge intergenerational connections to honor our past and pave a durable path forward.”

The White House and WHIAANHPI will use this theme to foster discussions during their May activities, including a landmark celebration on May 13, 2024, at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC.

This historic convening, uniting over 1,000 AA and NHPI leaders spanning five presidential administrations, will mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the White House Initiative and the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders during the Clinton Administration, the release stated.

READ: Biden naming 4 Indian Americans to the presidential body on AANHPI communities (December 21, 2021)

“Knowing our histories gives us power. Throughout the month, let us embrace the interconnectedness of our stories and honor the visionaries who came before us,” the release stated.

“Let us commit to spotlighting the myriad ways diverse AA and NHPI communities have enriched every facet of American life,” it exhorted. “And let us endeavor to build bridges across generations, experiences, and cultures to forge a future where all of us can thrive.”