Capital One Hall Celebrates AAPI Month
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Capital One Hall takes pride in recognizing the many AAPI team members who contribute to the heart of our venue.
We are honored to share the reflections of two members of our staff, Stacy B. and Lauren H. Stacy is our General Manager and Lauren is our Marketing Manager.
How has being an Asian or Pacific Islander impacted your experiences in the music industry or attending concerts?
SB: It has impacted my experience in the industry in so many ways but I think the most meaningful to me is that it encourages me to continue to contribute to DEI initiatives. I don’t know a ton of ppl who do what I do and look like me. As far as attending concerts it always inspires me when I look around at a show and see fans who all look different, come from different backgrounds who have come together for the love of the same band.
LH: Being an Asian in the music industry has helped me realize how everyone truly has a part in the bigger picture. I’ve been in this industry for 10 years and not often do I cross paths with someone who looks like me, so it’s been really cool perspective to represent this community!
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
SB: So many people to list here. But the one that stands out the most is my mentor, the person who gave me my first chance in this industry and has continued to invest in me and my career for almost 20 years now. He always taught me that the most important capital is HUMAN capital.
LH: I’ve drawn inspiration from a collection of people to help get me where I am today! My family, former dance coaches, previous bosses/mentors, teachers, and friends have all contributed to my aspirations and goals.
Can you share a personal story or memory about a concert or musical event that holds a special significance to you?
SB: Taking my nephew to his first real concert when he was about 5. The look of awe and astonishment on his face with all of the lights, sounds, and people around him was priceless. It made me realize that we are bringing up the next generation of concert goers and teaching them to appreciate all that music has to offer. Music is not just a sound you hear. It’s an experience that you feel.
LH: There’s a sense of pride that comes with discovering a band before the rest of the world. When I was in college, my friends invited me out on a dreary winter night to see this new band called Twenty One Pilots at a neighboring school…and I quickly agreed because the tickets were just $10. The show was in one of their gyms and I quickly recognized that this was the same space where I graduated high school from! I knew next to nothing about Twenty One Pilots entering the night and I left being a fan of their music. Just a few months later, they blew up in the alternative music scene and quickly grew from playing that tiny gym to selling out amphitheaters & arenas across the country. Over 10 years later, they remain one of my favorite bands and I always make an effort to see them live when they are performing in my area!
