Dedicated to honoring the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community on Zwift, we are proud to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. Show your support by joining any event throughout the month led by fellow Zwift employees—including CEO Eric Min and Zwift employees Eric Chon and Alyssa Aoki. Plus, don’t miss a special podcast ride featuring Zwift Chief Product Officer, YuChiang Cheng (YC) on May 7th.
Now more than ever, it's important to acknowledge the incredible contributions the Asian American and Pacific Islander community have made both in sport and around the globe. At Zwift, we are proud to offer a platform that celebrates diversity and inclusion while continuing to provide a welcoming space for all athletes.
This month, we’re shining a light on some of our tremendous AAPI identifying employees at Zwift. Hear what they had to say about how they celebrate AAPI month:
“As an Asian American now living in the U.K., celebrating AAPI Heritage Month in Zwift provides an exciting opportunity for me to be able to reconnect with the AAPI community. These past few years and months have been incredibly testing and I believe now, more than ever, we need to harness the power and inclusivity that only the community can provide.” - Eric, CEO of Zwift
“I feel the best way to celebrate AAPI Heritage is to learn peoples’ stories. You might find that their experiences with immigration, work, and life aren't that different from your own family's history. Of course, there are painful losses that are unique to each experience as well (such as my own family's internment in Poston, Arizona). It's important to dig up this history too, in order to learn from it and help give a voice to a chapter that might not be well known.” - Alyssa, Brand Strategy Manager
“AAPI Heritage Month means having a chance to showcase the incredibly diverse cultures and peoples that often get lumped under the singular "Asian American / Pacific Islander" label. It means celebrating the accomplishments of an often under-recognized demographic, especially in sports, politics, and entertainment. It also means fighting against the perception that Asian Americans are passive or quiet—we are anything but!” - Eric, Community Support Quality Manager
“Born and raised in Colorado, I was one of only a few Asian kids in my school. As such, there were few places to connect and learn about my heritage. I know first-hand how important representation is. Without it, marginalized groups stay quiet about their experiences of racial alienation in hopes for assimilation.
It is incredibly meaningful to me, both personally and professionally, to cultivate diversity as well as my own AAPI community. It'd be an honor for you to join me on Zwift to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month.”
- YuChiang Cheng (YC), Chief Product Officer
SUPPORTING THE AAPI COMMUNITY:
To continue to show our support for the AAPI community and our employees throughout the year, we’re partnering with Asian American Advancing Justice (AAAJ) for the second year in a row. We are committed to continuing to support their mission of advancing the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and build a fair and equitable society for all.
Join us in making an impact by giving a donation to AAAJ today!
EVENT BREAKDOWN:
Is There An Unlock?
Show your support for the AAPI community all year long. When you complete any AAPI event, you’ll receive a special sock unlock to rock on two wheels or two feet.
About Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ):
AAAJ is a national organization leading the fight to stop Asian hate and fighting for civil rights for Asian & Pacific Islander Americans. Their mission is to advocate for civil rights, provide legal services and education, and build coalitions to positively influence and impact Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) and to create a more equitable and harmonious society. Learn more about AAAJ or support their mission by making a donation.
ABOUT THE RIDE LEADERS:
Eric Min, CEO
Eric was born in Seoul, South Korea. He was just seven years old when he rode his first bicycle. When he was fifteen, his family relocated to New York City and his passion for cycling took off. He joined a local racing club and found that he didn’t just enjoy the sport, he was good at it, too. But to Eric, it was the community that kept bringing him back week after week. Eric still rides, and if you see his avatar on Zwift Island, you’ll also find his name at the top of the leaderboards. Don’t be afraid to challenge him to a sprint—he’s still a racer at heart.
YuChiang Cheng (YC), CPO
YuChiang Cheng, known to all as YC, is Zwift’s Chief Product Officer and is in charge of…just about everything. From game design and art, engineering, research and development through content programming and live operations, YC does it all. His background includes the development of the 28 million-player World Tour Golf game, pioneering the free-to-play business model in the western world and merging real-world professional events with the virtual world. Sound familiar? Join a ride or run led by YC throughout the month as we celebrate AAPI Heritage month!
Alyssa Aoki, Brand Strategy Manager
Born to a Japanese American father and Mexican American mother, Alyssa currently resides in Long Beach and enjoys the short bike ride into Zwift's offices for work. When she’s not working, you'll find Alyssa rock climbing, mountain biking, or camping with friends.
Eric Chon, Community Support Quality Manager
Eric is the original Community Support team member and has been at Zwift for over seven years. As the son of Chinese immigrants, he developed a passion for cycling by commuting on the streets of Boston. He is excited to lead the Zwift AAPI community on group rides.