May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Chris Conran sat down exclusively with BachelorNation.com to discuss the importance of celebrating and supporting the AAPI community.

He shared why it’s important to celebrate Asian heritage for more than just a month, his AAPI role model, and what it means to be a role model himself in the AAPI community now.

Check out Chris’ full interview below.

Bachelor Nation: Chris, thank you so much for chatting with us about the importance of AAPI Heritage Month! What does Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month mean to you?

Chris Conran: Just one month doesn’t mean much to me. I celebrate my Asian heritage every day. It’s always important for us to remember the hardships our ancestors have gone through in both the U.S. and their own country.

BN: Absolutely agree it’s important to celebrate year-round. What makes you proud to be a member of the AAPI community?

CC: The AAPI community is filled with incredibly strong and proud people. Asians have been discriminated against a lot more than people realize. Even in WWII, there were internment camps for people of Japanese descent, and this includes U.S. citizens of Japanese descent. Their determination to rise above all the discrimination received is amazing and incredible.

BN: It is incredible. Were there any prominent AAPI leaders or mentors who inspired you while growing up?

CC: My mom. She is resilient and has worked so hard to provide for my family. Everyone has always doubted her because of her accent and lack of education, but she is absolutely amazing.

BN: Amazing. Send your mom our love! And what does it mean for you to now be someone that other AAPI people may look up to?

CC: Haha! I don’t see myself as a shining example, but I just try to better myself each day.

BN: You’re definitely someone that Bachelor Nation fans look up to! What are some things Bachelor Nation fans can be doing to support the AAPI community, both this month and beyond?

CC: Research the history of Asians in the U.S. The more you know, the more appreciative you’ll be of everything they’ve endured to establish themselves as a part of America’s culture.