May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, a time to honor and celebrate the histories and contributions of Asian Americans. With everything that’s happening in our country, it’s never been more important to deepen awareness of and appreciation for the many unique cultures and perspectives that make up our nation. With diversity and inclusion in mind, it’s important to note that the term "Asian-Pacific American" is quite broad — merging the history, accomplishments and lessons of a large and varied segment of the world's population. In an ideal world, every day would be filled with opportunities to learn about and appreciate people from various cultures. Evolving our understanding of the unique human beings around us can only make the world a better, more accepting, and equitable place. A look back Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the nation. In the Pacific Northwest, Asian Pacific Americans constitute the largest immigrant and refugee group, an