FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact – Caroline Haberland-Ervin
Caroline.Haberland-Ervin@illinoisbeverage.org
The Illinois Beverage Association Celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
State’s Leading Advocate of the Non-Alcoholic Beverage Industry Recognizes the Accomplishments of the APPI Community
(ILLINOIS – May 1st, 2023) – The month of May marks national Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a holiday dedicated to celebrating the influence and contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans in the United States. In 1977, U.S. Congress officially declared the first ten days of May to commemorate the achievements of Asian American communities. President George H.W. Bush signed a bill in 1990 to extend the week into a month-long celebration.
“The Illinois Beverage association recognizes the great accomplishments and history of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” said IBA Executive Director Rob Nash. “Our member companies have partnered with and supported Asian and Pacific Islander organizations that work to eliminate any acts of bias, hate and violence targeting the AAPI community.”
Recently, PepsiCo and The PepsiCo Foundation donated $1,000,000 to provide support in partnership with the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC), the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), the National Restaurant Association and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Additionally in 2021, The Coca-Cola Company supported a joint resolution from the Board of Directors of the Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) and APIA Scholars condemning the rise in AAPI violence and hatred throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
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About the Illinois Beverage Association
The Illinois Beverage Association is a powerful network of businesses who make and sell the most popular, innovative non-alcoholic beverages of every type in the world, strengthening the Illinois economy through job creation and tax revenue, championing environmental sustainability and building community through partnerships and contributions.
We are an inclusive association that draws strength in our shared commitment to quench America’s thirst, champion economic opportunity, champion environmental sustainability and responsibility, advocate for pro non-alcoholic beverage business policies and promote a healthy live-work environment throughout Illinois.