What's Happening?
Hachette Book Group (HBG) has announced the launch of an in-house initiative aimed at fostering collaboration across publishing houses and celebrating authors who champion Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI)
culture. The initiative is spearheaded by HBG's AAPI Employee Resource Group and will commence with an event on November 12 at HBG's New York office. The event will feature a conversation with Min Jin Lee, author of 'Pachinko', alongside Carrie Bloxson, HBG's Chief People Officer and SVP of Culture and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Hachette UK, and Lauren Sum and Oriel Voegele, AAPI Employee Resource Group leads at HBG. The discussion will be moderated by Lucy Yu, owner of Yu & Me Books in Chinatown.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is significant as it highlights the growing recognition and support for AAPI voices within the publishing industry. By fostering collaboration and celebrating AAPI authors, HBG is contributing to a more inclusive and diverse literary landscape. This move can potentially lead to increased visibility and opportunities for AAPI authors, thereby enriching the cultural fabric of the U.S. publishing industry. It also reflects broader societal efforts to acknowledge and celebrate diverse cultures and narratives, which can have positive implications for public policy and social cohesion.
What's Next?
The initiative's kickoff event is expected to set the tone for future collaborations and celebrations of AAPI culture within HBG and potentially across other publishing houses. Stakeholders such as authors, publishers, and cultural organizations may engage in further discussions and partnerships to promote AAPI narratives. The success of this initiative could inspire similar efforts in other sectors, promoting diversity and inclusion beyond the publishing industry.
