Hyundai Backs LA Library’s AAPI Heritage Month With $25,000 Donation

Hyundai Motor America has pledged $25,000 to the Los Angeles Public Library (LAPL) and the Library Foundation of Los Angeles (LFLA) to support Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebrations, cultural education programmes, and a new youth writing competition planned for later this year.

The initiative, announced as part of the Los Angeles Central Library’s centenary celebrations, aims to promote cultural awareness, literacy, and community engagement across the city. Hyundai said the funding would help extend AAPI-focused programming beyond May, reinforcing the company’s long-term commitment to inclusion and multicultural outreach.

Erik Thomas, Director of Experiential and Multicultural Marketing at Hyundai Motor America, said cultural institutions such as the Los Angeles Public Library play a key role in connecting communities and inspiring younger generations.

He said the partnership reflects Hyundai’s commitment to creativity, education, and cultural appreciation, while celebrating the diverse voices that shape Los Angeles.

The donation will support a series of AAPI Heritage Month events hosted throughout May at the Los Angeles Central Library, including author talks, cultural performances, workshops, and community-led activities. Hyundai will also sponsor complimentary books for attendees at selected literary events.

Among the highlights is the “AAPI Joy” celebration on 16 May, featuring appearances by Asian authors, book signings, traditional Korean hanbok displays, lion dance performances, and interactive workshops. A media event held earlier this month at the library’s New Americans Center officially launched the partnership.

Brandon Ramirez, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Hyundai Motor North America, said the company was proud to support both the library’s 100th anniversary and AAPI Heritage Month through initiatives designed to strengthen cultural education and community ties.

John F. Szabo, City Librarian of Los Angeles, welcomed the collaboration, saying the library’s AAPI programming creates opportunities for communities to celebrate heritage, storytelling, and the arts.

He added that Hyundai’s support helps the library continue offering free cultural experiences that highlight the diversity and contributions of AAPI communities across Los Angeles.

As part of the wider initiative, Hyundai will also launch a youth writing competition later in 2026 aimed at encouraging young people to explore storytelling and creative writing. Entries will be judged by a panel of established AAPI authors, with further details expected to be announced later this year.

Founded in 1926, the Los Angeles Central Library remains one of the city’s most recognisable cultural landmarks, known for its distinctive Art Deco and Egyptian Revival architecture and its role as a hub for education, literature, and public engagement.