Rising Together

In May each year, the US recognizes Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. At Adobe, we are expanding that celebration to our global community and setting aside time to acknowledge the tremendous impact Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) have on global business, politics, science, and cultural life.

Reflecting on and celebrating the achievements of our community is important and rewarding. But right now, our API community faces some significant challenges that are important to recognize.

First, many of our colleagues are being impacted by the second wave of COVID-19 in India and elsewhere. We see the physical, financial, and emotional toll the pandemic has taken, and we feel a deep empathy for everyone trying to stay safe and healthy. At Adobe, we’re working to provide impacted employees and families with the support, resources, and flexibility they need during this challenging time. To help fund immediate needs, Adobe is directing financial support through the American India Foundation and Akshaya Patra and will provide a 2:1 match for employee donations to these two organizations. On a personal level, I’m checking in with my Indian friends and colleagues to offer support.

Throughout the pandemic, we’ve also seen a troubling rise in anti-Asian sentiment and violence. This has shined a spotlight on ongoing discrimination experienced by the API community at large. To help mobilize action against hate and violence in society, Adobe has made a five-year partnership commitment to The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), a newly launched convener, incubator, and funder committed to accelerating opportunity and prosperity for API communities.

Adobe is also supporting employees through healing sessions, hosting a bystander training session, and providing resources and organizations to support the API community. Additionally, we are encouraging employees to volunteer with the Asian Law Caucus, an organization Adobe made a corporate donation to earlier this year.

Despite these challenges, I know we will become stronger and more confident about our place in the world. When I think about the courage it took for my parents to immigrate to Oklahoma from South Korea almost forty years ago, I’m humbled. Across our community, I see a depth of resilience and a renewed sense of commitment that makes me truly optimistic.

Employees rising together

Throughout May, our Asian/Pacific Islander at Adobe (APIA) employee network will host events organized around the theme ‘Rising Together’. As the Executive Sponsor of APIA, I am proud to be part of these events where we will come together to support, equip, and empower each other to create a more equal and inclusive society. Here are few events planned:

• A global kickoff event to engage, educate, and inspire through employee storytelling, music and poetry, and pride in our global roots.
• A cooking demo to explore the API community’s impact on cuisine with first generation Chinese American author and food stylist Vivian Lui.
• Two thought-provoking conversations: Together with the Black Employee Network (BEN) at Adobe, we’ll explore the shared histories of our communities to understand how we can advance social justice for everyone; and we’ll have a conversation with Phil Wang, co-founder of Wong Fu Productions, where we’ll discuss API representation in media.

Elevating the API community externally

To recognize the vibrancy of the API culture, we’ll spotlight the API creator community across social media with a special edition of #WomenCreateWednesday featuring inspiring women and their stories. We are also showcasing how creativity is a powerful tool to keep legacy and culture alive and a way to connect with our past and inspire our future. We have invited Adobe’s social media community to share how elders have influenced and inspired them with the hashtag #OurDearElders.

At Adobe, we believe that when people feel appreciated and included, they can be more creative, innovative, and successful. As Asians and Pacific Islanders, we are proud to share our experiences, showcase the rich diversity of our families and traditions, and celebrate the global roots that bind and strengthen us.

Join us in Rising Together.