As AANHPI Heritage Month wraps up, we’re excited to highlight how our community rallied to support AANHPI-owned businesses in 2025. From surpassing our Receipt & Receive spending goals to the AMPLIFY Chinatown-International District activation, this month was full of initiatives and events that brought people together.
In this recap, you’ll see Seattle show up in so many ways: with unique cultural events, local business spotlights, sports collaborations, and BECU’s ongoing support of the Equity in Action program. We’re proud to celebrate the AANHPI entrepreneurs who help shape our city, proving once again that when we #SpendLikeItMatters, we all rise together.
Receipt & Receive Update
When we launched the Receipt & Receive program for AANHPI Heritage Month, our goal was to rally $45,000 in support for local AANHPI-owned businesses. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the Seattle community—and a big boost from our hometown teams like the Storm, Sounders FC, Reign, Seahawks, Mariners, and Kraken—we surpassed expectations, reaching $65,667 in submitted receipts. Hood Famous Cafe & Bar, Sairen, and Cardoon received the most uploads, but the impact went far beyond just a few businesses. It was inspiring to see neighbors, sports fans, and food lovers all come together to uplift AANHPI businesses across the city. Once again, Seattle showed that when we #SpendLikeItMatters, we can make a real difference—together.
The Small Business Leaderboard:
- Hood Famous Cafe & Bar
- Sairen
- Cardoon
- Hello Em
- E-Jae Pak Mor
- Young Tea
- Fuji Bakery
- Kobo Shop & Gallery
- Bubble Tea Fresh Fruit Juice
- Patrick’s Cafe & Bakery
Congratulations to the following Intentional Spenders who uploaded their receipts and are the recipients of prizes from our sports teams! Please look out for an email from the teams about your prize!
- Anna uploaded a receipt from Buddha Bruddah and is the winner of a prize from the Seahawks!
- Rebecca K. uploaded a receipt from E-Jae Pak Mor and is the winner of a prize from the Kraken!
- Marissa W. uploaded a receipt from Hello Em and is the winner of a prize from the Mariners!
- Cindy uploaded a receipt from Foggy Tea and is a winner of a prize from the Reign!
- Shannah T uploaded a receipt from Thai on 1 and is the winner of a prize from the Storm!
- Xavier K. uploaded a receipt from Mitten Sweets & Coffee and is the winner of a prize from the Sounders!
Small Business Spotlights
Our weekly Small Business Spotlight series introduced our community to four AANHPI-owned small businesses:
Mixed Pantry – Mixed Pantry in Belltown is a specialty store highlighting Asian American sauces and snacks, run by the passionate Tak. It serves as a welcoming hub for food lovers, aiming to introduce people to new flavors, support small makers, and create a sense of community around Asian cuisine.
Patrick’s Cafe & Bakery – Patrick’s in White Center brings a Hawaiian spirit—and tropical treats—to Seattle. Run by owner Patrick, who transitioned from luxury kitchens to community baking, the café is known for its warm atmosphere and island-inspired pastries.
Sugar Bakery – Sugar Bakery has grown from a single shop to a local favorite with three locations, led by owner Queen La Walton. Known for its scratch-made pastries and joyful service, Sugar is committed to supporting small businesses and celebrating handmade baked goods.
Cardoon – Cardoon is a cozy, creative café and cocktail bar in Ballard, started by three friends with diverse backgrounds. Their menu mixes Chinese, German, and Nordic influences, and their goal is to offer unexpected flavors in a welcoming, community-focused space.
BECU’s Equity in Action: It’s On Us Campaign
A heartfelt thank you to BECU’s Office of Equity and Inclusion for continuing to champion the Equity in Action: It’s on Us campaign throughout AANHPI Heritage Month. Their commitment to celebrating and uplifting Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities came to life in a delicious way as they covered the costs of treats at AANHPI-owned businesses across the region. Community members simply needed to create an Intentionalist account, visit their neighborhood favorites, and enjoy complimentary items, all thanks to BECU. This thoughtful initiative not only provided direct support to AANHPI entrepreneurs but also introduced new customers to these remarkable local businesses.
AMPLIFY: Chinatown-International District
On May 17, Intentionalist launched the AMPLIFY: Chinatown-International District campaign—a collaborative effort with local government, companies, and nonprofits to uplift small businesses across Chinatown, Japantown, and Little Saigon. With lingering impacts from the pandemic and ongoing economic challenges, many of these businesses are working harder than ever to remain vibrant pillars of the community.
Through AMPLIFY, 35 participating business received professional photos, custom-designed marketing assets, and expanded exposure through Intentionalist’s platform. The campaign also introduced the Amplify C-ID Small Business Pass, unlocking exclusive offers and encouraging locals and visitors alike to explore and support these neighborhood gems.
Thanks to the support of community partners, sports teams, and local leaders, the campaign brought new customers through the doors of restaurants, tea shops, gift shops, and more—directly investing in Seattle’s cultural and economic heartbeat. Every dollar spent through the AMPLIFY activation helps ensure that these businesses—and the stories behind them—remain an essential part of Seattle’s identity for years to come.
AMPLIFY: Chinatown-International District was presented by The Asian American Foundation, the City of Seattle’s Office of the Mayor, the City of Seattle’s Office of Economic Development, the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026 Local Organizing Committee, and Visit Seattle.
We also worked closely with the Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (CIDBIA) and Friends of Little Saigon to curate the featured businesses.
Additional partners included BECU, Copacino Fujikado, Dick’s Drive-In, Fulcrum Coffee, La Marzocco, Seattle Credit Union, Seattle Reign FC, Seattle Sounders FC, Slalom, Symetra, Vulcan Real Estate, and the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.
Intentionalist in the Community
Throughout AANHPI Heritage Month, Intentionalist was out in the community, celebrating and uplifting local small businesses and their owners. We were honored to be recognized by Reign FC alongside inspiring entrepreneurs from Chinatown-International District, including Thanh-Nga Nguyen of Chu Minh Tofu, Sokha Danh of Mam’s Books, and Marin Caccam of Onibaba. Our month also included a memorable “Happy Hour with the Seahawks” at Pasifika Grill & Bar, where we gathered with Seahawks Legends like Lofa Tatupu to enjoy island-style food and great company. These moments highlight the power of partnership and community when it comes to supporting AANHPI-owned businesses all across Seattle.
Artist Spotlight
We were thrilled to feature Shayla Hufana as our artist for AANHPI Heritage Month. Shayla designed this month’s history and heritage assets, along with the artwork for our upcoming AMPLIFY C-ID campaign. In her own words, Shayla shares the inspiration and meaning behind her imagery – visit our blog to read more!
Support AANHPI-Owned, Year Round
Supporting AANHPI-owned businesses goes far beyond just one month—it’s a year-round commitment that helps build stronger, more inclusive communities. As we celebrate the close of AANHPI Heritage Month, let’s keep the momentum going and continue to #SpendLikeItMatters. Every purchase from an AANHPI entrepreneur makes a real difference, and we’re excited to see all that our community will accomplish together in the months ahead.