An AAPI Heritage Month Speaker Who Made Constitutional History
For Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Simon Tam offers more than a story of identity — he offers a story of impact. He's the founder of The Slants and the central figure in Matal v. Tam, the unanimous Supreme Court case that reshaped the First Amendment. It's Asian American history that's also American history, decided in the highest court in the country.
Over 1,000 standing ovations across four continents. A story taught in classrooms nationwide. One unanimous Supreme Court victory.
Asian American history isn't separate from American history.
It's woven into the Constitution itself.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May) is a chance to celebrate not just culture, but contribution — the ways Asian Americans have shaped the nation's institutions, laws, and ideals. Few stories capture that better than Simon’s.
When the U.S. government refused to let him trademark the name of his band, The Slants — telling an Asian American artist his own community's reclaimed word was too offensive to protect — Simon spent eight years fighting back, all the way to the Supreme Court of the United States. In 2017, the Court ruled unanimously in his favor in Matal v. Tam, a landmark First Amendment decision now taught in classrooms nationwide. It's a story about identity, belonging, and who gets to define an American — answered before nine justices.
“The Story of The Slants is the perfect vehicle to discuss the realities of being an Asian Artist in America”
- Ronny Chieng
What Your Audience Takes Away
A powerful AAPI Heritage Month story that goes beyond representation to real, lasting impact
A vivid connection between Asian American history, civil rights, and the First Amendment
An exploration of identity, belonging, and the question of who gets to define "American"
A nonpartisan, broadly resonant message that engages audiences across backgrounds
For students and employees: a memorable, inspiring example of one person changing the law
AAPI Heritage Month Programs For Every Audience
Corporations & Employee Resource Groups
A keynote that elevates AAPI Heritage Month programming beyond the expected — pairing cultural celebration with a genuine story of impact, leadership, and persistence.
Colleges & Universities
Convocations, multicultural programming, law schools, and civic engagement series — a keynote that resonates across Asian American studies, law, and student life.
Law Firms & Bar Associations
An AAPI Heritage Month program with legal substance, available for CLE credit, from the litigant in a landmark Supreme Court First Amendment case.
“Dance rock band front man Simon Tam sought to trademark The Slants. His aim was to reappropriate a term long used to disparage a minority group and to render the term a badge of pride. All of us agreed.”
— Ruth Bader Ginsburg
What people have said about Simon Tam:
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![Cover of the book titled 'The Bill of Rights: A User's Guide' by Linda R. Monk, with a foreword by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.]()
“No constitution, no bill of rights alone can guarantee human freedom. People like Simon Tam…are willing to risk their security – and sometimes their lives – make the Bill of Rights not just empty promises on paper, but a living reality to expand freedom for the rest of the nation as well.”
The Bill of Rights: A User’s Guide by Linda Monk
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![Ronny Chieng in a gray suit, white checkered shirt, and striped tie, adjusting his tie with a confident expression against a gray background.]()
"The story of The Slants is the perfect vehicle to discuss the realities of being an Asian artist in America."
Ronny Chieng, The Daily Show
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![Book cover for 'Hate Speech, Not Censorship' by Nadine Strossen, featuring a red background with large black and white text.]()
“Simon Tam has been an evangelist for free speech and equality as mutually reinforcing rights. He has given several terrific TED talks which I highly recommend."
Nadine Strossen, law professor and former president of the ACLU
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![Professional portrait of an Asian man in a suit and tie, smiling, with a cityscape background.]()
“This was the best CLE presentation that they have ever attended.”
Hyung Steele, Partner at Pepper Hamilton LLP
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![Logo for Global Cultural Studies at Williamette University, featuring a black world map and text on a light blue background.]()
"Out of all the presentations I’ve seen in 26 years at Willamette, that was definitely one of the very best. [This] story is incredibly important and inspirational."
Peter Wogan, Professor of Global Cultural Studies
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![Colorful abstract logo with interconnected arcs and circles in purple, green, orange, and teal.]()
“One of the most inspiring people I have ever heard speak.”
member, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
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![Portrait of an Asian man in a suit and tie, sitting in an office setting.]()
“The Tam case has forged a hybrid trademark and free speech right.”
Timothy T. Hsieh, NYU Journal of IP & Ent. Law
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![The Netflix logo with a black background and red letters.]()
“This presentation of stories and songs will have you on the edge of your seat.”
Northeastern University School of Law
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![Text reading 'Knowledge at Wharton' with 'at' in red and centered]()
“Simon Tam’s legal fight turned an obscure trademark law into mainstream conversation about free speech and identity.”
Elizabeth M. Squires, Knowledge at Wharton
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![A smiling middle-aged man wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt, and patterned tie, standing in a bright, modern hallway with windows.]()
"Of note is Tam’s effort to register 'The Slants' for his Asian rock-dance band in an effort to reclaim a piece of cultural heritage for his group and drain the slur of its 'denigrating force.'"
John A. Squires, Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
Simon’s story and work has been featured in thousands of media outlets across 125+ countries, including:
Book Simon for AAPI Heritage Month
AAPI Heritage Month is recognized in May — and many campuses hold their programming in April, before the semester ends. The best dates book early, often a year ahead. Reach out now to check availability."