Honoring API heritage: Reflecting on the past, embracing the future
May is a time when the U.S. honors the contributions and influence of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) people. The AAPI community within ServiceNow, which extends beyond the U.S. to include Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) everywhere, is a vibrant tapestry of cultures, offering countless avenues for celebration.
“Whether one lives in Singapore or their family has emigrated to another country, such as the United States, many API members lean on cultural touchstones such as food, art/dance, and religious practices to connect them to past generations,” says Sheila D., director of publishing and operations at ServiceNow and co-chair of the API employee belonging group.
“This connection is a superpower and a backbone of our strength as a community. Food and traditions bind us together across vast cultural differences. Honoring the past positions us to create a better future for generations to come,” she adds.
This year, in a nod to our internal theme of “Rich past, radiant future,” we're thrilled to commemorate API heritage with a spotlight on two remarkable employees—one from the U.S. and one from Australia—who graciously share personal objects that link them to their roots. These artifacts illustrate why cultural connections are deeply cherished.
Sentimental spice box
Apurva S., senior technical program manager, cherishes a steel spice box handed down to her from her mother and grandmother. “When I open it up, it just immediately transports me back to my grandma’s house,” Apurva says, referring to the aroma of the seven spices the box contains.
Her grandmother, from Kerala in Southern India, grows and uses fragrant spices to make one of Apurva’s favorite dishes: sambar. Sambar is a South Indian stew made with lentils, mixed vegetables, spices, and herbs.
Inspired by her grandma, Apurva continues the tradition of cooking sambar to connect with her heritage and, at the same time, celebrate India's rich culinary legacy.
Travel mementos
When Tim C., principal inbound product manager, was only 2 years old, his family regularly traveled between his birthplace of Australia and his family’s origin of Malaysia. As a result, Tim has collected four passports and countless travel stamps throughout his lifetime.
Tim's travels have helped him relate to his ancestry and appreciate diverse cultures. From Singapore, where his wife is from, to Malaysia, Tim's experiences are a testament to the enduring bonds of family and heritage.
One trip to Malaysia that stands out to Tim was for a family reunion that spanned four generations. There, Tim introduced his 4-year-old son to his great-grandfather.
“We took a picture together, and some of the similarities are uncanny,” Tim says. “That was special because it only happened once in my life before my grandfather passed away. It reminded me of how our families and our places of origin shape us.”
For all members of our API community, the threads of family, cuisine, and travel honor the journeys that have molded them and illuminate pathways for future aspirations. In so doing, they encourage the rest of us to embrace diverse cultures and foster an environment in which every individual's story is celebrated and valued.
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