Originally published at about.att.com. Sarita Rao is the SVP of Integrated and Partner Solutions at AT&T. AT&T is a Hall of Fame company.
Joy in the face of adversity is an act of courage. This has never been more apparent than over the past two years throughout the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Their joy and courage make recognizing AAPI Heritage Month more vital now than ever. AT&T is taking the opportunity to joyfully celebrate and honor the diversity and cultural richness within the Asian diaspora through our theme “Voices of Courage,” giving visibility and space for each individual story and the hint of courage within each journey to shine.
Being part of the AAPI community is meaningful in different ways for everyone — after all, the Asian diaspora is not a monolith — 22 million Asian Americans can trace their roots to more than 20 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, “each with unique histories, cultures, languages and other characteristics.” Our experiences are indeed unique, and the way we identify ourselves and relate to our community is dynamic.
In my case, my parents were immigrants from India who demonstrated the power of hard work and persistence. They were entrepreneurs, pursuing the American Dream by starting their own business as a stone supplier and fabricator. My mom handled the day-to-day business, and she was often underestimated by customers, employees and competitors, who questioned if this small Indian woman with a heavy accent could get the job done. My mother not only proved herself by growing the business, but she also passed on her passion and perseverance to her children. My sister now runs the company, which has grown into a multi-million-dollar firm that is one of the most prestigious in the Chicago real estate market, and my sister is often recognized as an influential voice across the industry.
Moments like these, we are reminded of the progress and advancements made, as well as the work left to achieve. At AT&T, we understand how imperative it is to support and uplift the communities where we work and live — not just during heritage months or special occasions, but year-round.
As of 2020, Asian American and Pacific Islanders make up 7.7% of AT&T’s U.S.