Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, which is celebrated every May, is a time to honor the diverse stories, cultures, and contributions of the AAPI community. Every May, many organizations seek out the top AAPI Heritage Month speakers to give powerful keynotes, fireside chats, and interactive talks on questions of identity, community, belonging, and much more. Today’s leading AAPI Heritage Month speakers bring fresh insight, powerful narratives, and meaningful representation to stages around the world. Lavin’s top AAPI Heritage Month speakers (from a Pulitzer Prize-winning author to a renowned urban space artist) help audiences connect history with the present—and celebrate identity through action.
The Top AAPI Speakers for 2025
- Hua Hsu
- Jeff Chang
- Wajahat Ali
- Laura Huang
- Anand Giridharadas
- Stephanie Mehta
- and more!
AAPI Heritage Month Topics That Will Dominate 2026
- Storytelling and identity: If we don’t tell our own story, someone will tell it for us. How can we speak out and expand the collective imagination about what we deem possible?
- Solidarity and coalition-building: In 2026, we need to work across communities to secure equal rights and racial justice—for everybody.
- Cultural and historical insight: The past isn’t gone—it’s around us, all the time. We can better understand who we are and where we come from when we connect our heritage to ongoing cultural conversations.
- Leading from the margins: AAPI individuals may face discrimination in professional contexts, but we can flip those stereotypes to help us lead and empower others at work and in life.
- Creative community engagement: With the rise of creative spaces like public art installations and AAPI-centric film, we have a wealth of new methods with which to foster connection, belonging, and innovation.
- Humor and healing in polarized times: The best way to bring people together? A good joke. How can we find the humor in our fractured moment and use it to bridge divides?
How to Choose the Best Keynote Speaker for Your AAPI Event
With so many amazing speakers out there, how do you choose the right speaker for your AAPI Heritage Month event? We’ve put together a step-by-step guide to help you choose a speaker whose message sticks.
- Understand your audience. Is your event for senior management or entry-level employees? Is it a full-company event or for an affinity group? More importantly, what do the people who attend your event want or need to hear? Some speakers are more academic, offering a sweeping view of the landscape of AAPI issues and how it has changed. Others are inspirational, sparking action through powerful stories and calls to action. Once you know what your audience needs to hear, you can choose a speaker whose tone, style, and content align with your audience.
- Clarify your goals. Similar to the first point, take a moment to ask yourself what you and your organization are looking to achieve. Is the goal to get people to buy tickets, or just to get people in seats? Do you want to educate, or inspire? Maybe you want to open a dialogue about AAPI issues within your organization. What do you want your audience to leave with at the end of the day? Knowing your event’s objective well will help you choose a speaker who can achieve those desired outcomes.
- Evaluate content and format. Do you need a 45-minute keynote, or would a fireside chat or workshop be more engaging? Do you want a speaker who offers visuals, interactive elements, a live performance, or an extended Q&A? Think beyond the standard lecture, and consider what format will land best with your audience.
- Consider personalization options. The most memorable talks are often the ones tailor-made for the audience. Many Lavin speakers have 10 hours worth of content that they’ll cut down to the exactly 45 minutes that are right for you and your organization. Do you want a speaker who will customize their message to reflect your organization’s values, current challenges, or long-term goals? Ask about customization options in the early stages of planning.
- Watch past talks—but don’t stop there. Past keynotes can give you a sense of the speaker’s stage presence: do they command the stage, engage with the audience, and discuss nuanced topics with ease? But you can also consider calling up an agent or a previous client to ask them the same questions. As our CEO says, a speech is a live performance. Who better to answer questions than someone who’s seen the speaker in action?
From Celebration to Impact: How AAPI Talks Inspire Change
The best AAPI Heritage Month keynotes don’t fade out of memory after the event is over. Rather, they stick with audiences, inspiring reflection, empathy, and long-term impact. Our AAPI speakers are experts in making their talks both memorable and action-oriented.
Lavin speaker Wajahat Ali, author of Go Back to Where You Came From, recently gave a talk at Legal Aid at Work. The client raved that Waj was “an outstanding speaker—one of the most engaging we have had in recent in recent years.” Similarly, Lavin speaker and renowned comedian Negin Farsad gave a talk at Villanova University that the client described as “wonderful” and “very informative to students.” Our contact said that Negin pulled in “the best turnout that we’ve had since we’ve been giving these events.”
How to Book a Leading AAPI Heritage Month Speaker
At The Lavin Agency, we make the speaker booking process easy, professional, and personalized. Here’s what to expect:
Step 1: Reach Out
Start by telling us a bit about your event—what kind of audience you’ll have, your goals for the session, and any themes you want the speaker to cover. Not sure yet? No problem. We’re here to help you refine your vision.
Step 2: Get Curated Recommendations
Based on your needs, we’ll suggest a short list of AAPI speakers whose background, expertise, and presentation style match what you’re looking for. Whether you want someone deeply academic, emotionally moving, or pop-culturally fluent—we’ll find the right fit for your event.
Step 3: Finalize the Details
Once you’ve selected your speaker, we handle the logistics—from fee negotiation and scheduling to travel planning. We’ll ensure everything is clearly laid out in writing, with ongoing support all the way up to event day.
Step 4: Post-Event Support
Want to bring your speaker back for a follow-up session? Need materials for your event recap? We’re still in your corner after the curtain falls.
We’ve love to take some of the work off your plate. If that sounds like a dream, contact us today for help with your AAPI Heritage Month event!
Frequently Asked Questions About AAPI Heritage Month Speakers
What is an AAPI Heritage Month speaker?
An AAPI Heritage Month speaker is a professional presenter—often an author, artist, activist, or academic—who shares stories, insights, and perspectives rooted in the Asian-American and Pacific Islander experience. These talks are often booked for May events but have year-round relevance.
Can a speaker tailor their talk to our company or school?
Absolutely. Many of our speakers offer customized presentations based on your event’s focus, whether it’s leadership, mental health, allyship, or personal narrative. They often incorporate your organization’s values or goals into their messaging.
Are virtual events still popular?
Yes! Many AAPI speakers continue to offer engaging virtual keynotes and panels. This format is ideal for global teams, hybrid audiences, or organizations with limited travel budgets.
How far in advance should we book?
To secure top talent for May events, we recommend reaching out between December and February. Some speakers book out a year in advance, so earlier is always better—especially if your date is fixed.
What’s the average cost for a speaker?
Speaker fees vary based on the individual’s profile, experience, and event format. You can find speakers whose fee is as low as $10,000, and speakers whose fee goes up to more than $50,000. We’re happy to work with you to find options that fit your budget and your audience.
Can a speaker present on topics beyond heritage and identity?
Absolutely. Many AAPI speakers also speak on business innovation, leadership, tech, education, environmental justice, and more. They bring their cultural perspective to a wide range of subjects.
What makes a great AAPI heritage month speaker?
A great AAPI speaker brings authenticity, lived experience, and a clear point of view. They don’t just educate—they connect on a human level. Whether they’re telling personal stories, sharing historical insight, or offering a fresh take on representation, the best speakers spark emotion, foster empathy, and leave audiences thinking differently. They’re engaging, informed, and able to tailor their message to your unique audience—whether that’s a corporate team, a classroom, or a public forum.
What are common audience takeaways from AAPI keynotes?
Audiences often walk away with a deeper understanding of AAPI history, identity, and resilience—as well as new perspectives on race, culture, and inclusion. These talks inspire personal reflection and collective action. Listeners frequently cite feeling more empathetic, more informed, and more empowered to build inclusive communities or take the next step in their own allyship journey.