May is a time to celebrate the contributions of people of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander heritage to American culture. While we recognize the remarkable impact of these cultures on American society year round, May is a time to amplify this history.
For centuries, descendants of this vast region — which includes over 50 ethnic groups and well over 100 different languages and dialects — have contributed to every aspect of American life, including its formidable tech industry. Many have founded world-renowned tech startups, helping create a legacy of entrepreneurship among Asian and Pacific immigrants and their descendants.
Steve Chen helped launch Youtube, to the joy of many budding pop stars, cat fanatics and toddlers; Eric S. Yuan allowed the world to stay connected virtually through Zoom during the COVID-19 lockdowns (and beyond!); and Jenesen Huang founded NVIDIA, whose stock is one of the most coveted on Wall Street.
As remarkable as these stories are, we must not also forget the glass ceiling Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have often encountered in the tech industry. For example, Chinese-born American David Lam left Hewlett Packard because he was repeatedly passed over for a promotion. He went on to found a series of successful startups, including Lam Research, which introduced the first fully automated plasma etching system for manufacturing semiconductors.
David’s bet paid off and benefited the entire industry — not to mention millions of consumers worldwide. Yet his story compels us to consider how much more our industry would succeed if we continuously champion diversity and provide everyone equal opportunities to thrive.
I was raised in India, but now call Silicon Valley home. Like countless people of all backgrounds, I’ve set my roots in a new country, seeking new opportunities and dreams for myself and my family. As I watch my family thrive, I am filled with gratitude for what this country has afforded us. I only hope we can continue to work together so that more stories like mine can become more common in our industry.
This month is a reminder that inclusivity and understanding of different cultures is important. It fosters environments where innovative ideas flourish — and in our industry, ideas and people are at the heart of everything. What a great opportunity for us to reflect and honor all the ways in which people of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent have contributed to our country and our incredible tech industry.
