Celebrating Our Unique Heritage and Sharing Your AAPI Story

As we embrace the warmer days of May, it's time to honor and celebrate the rich tapestry of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) cultures, histories, and contributions. By sharing our personal stories and creating safe spaces for dialogue, we hope to foster a greater understanding and appreciation for the diverse experiences within this community. 

Dynadot founder, Todd Han, expressed his pride and joy in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Todd was born in Taiwan and moved to the United States at a young age.  He often shares his experience of attending Chinese school on Saturdays, a decision his mother made for him which he did not initially enjoy. However, he is now grateful for the opportunity as it allowed him to learn Mandarin, which he finds to be a valuable tool in communicating with Dynadot customers. 

This AAPI Heritage Month Todd expresses his appreciation for all our customers both domestically and internationally, thanking them for their business and conveyed his gratitude as an Asian American entrepreneur.

We asked 3 other Asian American Dynadot team members a few questions to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of their AAPI experiences. Paige Omandam is a Marketing Associate and plays a vital part in the marketing team as she manages Dynadot’s affiliate program and video projects. David Archwamety is the VP Operations at Dynadot! He leads by example everyday with a welcoming personality that embraces all backgrounds and cultures. Hallie Cao is the Aftermarket Director and she manages everything from auctions to closeouts. Read our previous AAPI interviews with Todd Han and Jacqueline Daly.  

Q1 What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?

Paige – AAPI Heritage Month to me means celebrating the diversity of what it means to be Asian American and Pacific Islander. I am Filipino American myself, but I don't speak the language and I'm not too in touch with my culture. But this month gives me an opportunity to learn more about my heritage and get more in touch with my roots.

David – To me, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month means an appreciation of our unique backgrounds as both API and American. In my opinion, one of the greatest things about America is that we have people from all sorts of backgrounds, living and working together in the same country and even within the AAPI community, it's not just one or two backgrounds. It's many, we have people with ties to many different countries within Asia. We have people with ties to both Asia and other continents, people who just moved here and people who have lived here for all our lives and that's fantastic. There's room for all of us.

Hallie – AAPI Heritage month is a time for me to reflect on my identity as a Vietnamese American. It is a time to celebrate the similarities and differences of the cultural diversity in the United States. I am proud to be Asian American. I hope more people take the chance to explore and discover Asian cultures around the world through history, language, music and food.

Q2 How has your heritage influenced your career?

Paige – I think the way my heritage has influenced my career is by not influencing it. Being an Asian American woman in tech comes with its challenges. But at Dynadot I never feel like my heritage affects my ability to perform and succeed in my career. There are amazing AAPI women in every department and in leadership positions. So I feel like it's a really safe place to grow and collaborate.

David – To be honest, I don't think it has, at least not directly. My dad moved to the USA from Thailand and he has always taught me to work hard and do what I'm good at and do what I like doing. But my mom, whose family has been in the US for multiple generations, also taught me to work hard and do what I'm good at and do what I like doing so in that regard, finding a good career is universal.

Hallie – Being immigrants, my parents instill hard work and education in our family. I credit my strong work ethic, optimistic attitude and resilience to my Asian background and upbringing. These characteristics shape who I am as a professional today. It does not matter where you start; it is where you are going. 

Q3 What is your favorite Asian American or Pacific Islander-owned business or restaurant? Give them a shoutout and show your support.

Paige  – Official Fancy Flavors

David – Tokemoana’s 

Hallie  – Saigon Oi Restaurant 

It is vital to uplift and amplify the personal stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Every individual within these communities has a unique perspective to offer, a story that deserves to be heard. From the struggles of immigrants seeking a better life to the experiences of second and third-generation AAPI individuals navigating their dual identities, these personal narratives provide a window into the diverse tapestry of AAPI experiences. 

By encouraging individuals to share their stories, we create spaces for dialogue, empathy, and connection.  This May, consider sharing your AAPI story on a .Asia domain to encourage cross-cultural initiatives in America and heritage relevance!