What is AANHPI?
At the Kimmel Belonging and Engagement Hub, we recognize the many terms used to describe communities of Asian and Pacific Islander descent, including APA (Asian Pacific American), AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander), and APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American). We use the term AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) in our programming and communications.
This term intentionally centers Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander identities alongside Asian American communities, recognizing their distinct cultures, histories, and experiences. This allows us to better reflect those whose identities may otherwise be overlooked in pan-ethnic labels.
While AANHPI does not explicitly name South Asian (Desi) communities, we remain committed to affirming and supporting students from South Asia, Central Asia, and across the Asian diaspora. We understand that no single term can fully encompass the richness and diversity of these identities, which span more than 40 countries, hundreds of ethnic groups, and countless diasporic experiences.
We also acknowledge that these groupings are, in part, the product of historical and political forces, including federal classification systems, and that individuals and communities may identify in ways that differ from broad labels. Terms like AANHPI are imperfect, but they are part of an evolving effort to promote inclusion and visibility.
Our use of AANHPI reflects our current commitment to inclusive language that strives to honor the identities of our students. We are continually engaging with this conversation and remain open to change as we learn from our community and stay attuned to how these terms are understood and embraced.
To explore more about the complexity of these identities and classifications, visit: https://www.api-gbv.org/resources/census-data-api-identities/
Adapted from Library of Virginia
Additional Resources:
https://www.csusm.edu/apidafsa/who_is_apida/index.html
https://edu.lva.virginia.gov/apidaresources/
https://sites.northwestern.edu/asag/about-us/who-is-apida/
https://www.housing.wisc.edu/2024/04/inclusive-language-series-apida-vs-aapi-2/
