TikTok Celebrates Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with #APIFamily

TikTok is honoring Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month by highlighting the stories of the API community and recognizing visionary API creatives, business owners, and culture changemakers. They are committed to amplifying the voices that break barriers and share the diverse spectrum of API history and heritage.

To celebrate API Heritage Month, TikTok has debuted the first Asian and Pacific Islander TikTok Visionary Voices List. This list recognizes 15 visionary API creatives, business owners, and culture changemakers who are making a positive impact on TikTok and beyond. The honorees are recognized across three categories: Creators, Industry Disruptors, and Small Business Owners.

The Creators category includes Ayman, Cassie Yeung, David Suh, H Woo, and Melemaikalani Makalapua. They share their passions for reading, cooking, photography, and educating people about Hawai'i's culture.

The Industry Disruptors category features H.E.R., Laura Gouillon, Sean Sotaridona, and Nava Rose. They embrace their passions in music, creative directing, magic, and sustainable fashion practices.

The Small Business Owners category includes Garbo Zhu, Jessica Tran, Stephanie Zheng, Niki and Ritika Shamdasani, and Jungmin Kang. They are self-taught potters, car detailers, beauty brand founders, apparel brand designers, and slime e-commerce business founders.

In addition to honoring these visionaries, TikTok is hosting a series of live programming events on their @tiktoklive_us channel to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and impact of the API community. They are also showcasing API-owned SMBs and organizations that celebrate API heritage and grow their businesses on TikTok. The in-app #APIFamily programming includes spotlighting SMBs and organizations such as @shopsunnytails, @mangopeopleofficial, @emme.nyc, @labyrinthave, @pocketschocolate, @filipintabeauty, @hateisavirus, and @acttochange.

TikTok is also spotlighting the world sounds of #AsianMusic and showcasing API music artists who are shifting culture and impacting the music industry. They have special guest playlists from Keshi and mxmtoon, as well as genre playlists for Hip-Hop, K-Pop, Indie, and #SouthAsian sounds.

Furthermore, TikTok recognizes and honors its internal #APIFamilyARISE employee resource group, which is dedicated to recognizing and honoring the impact of TikTok's API community year-round. ARISE will host themed internal events and programming initiatives to celebrate the industry-shifting impact of API employees and creators.

Join TikTok in celebrating the legacy and impact of the #APIFamily during Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month and beyond. Follow @TikTokCreators and @TikTok to stay updated on the API Heritage Month programming and the #APITikTok community.