How to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month on Social Media

How to Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month on Social Media This May (and Beyond)

Although it is wonderful to have one month dedicated to the AAPI community, we should be celebrating their contributions (and those of other racialized communities) year-round.

Here are three ways you can celebrate and amplify AAPI heritage on social media every month:

1. Follow and Learn From AAPI Accounts

2. Spotlight and Support AAPI Creators & Small Businesses

3. Pass the Mic Visually and Creatively

#1: Follow and Learn From AAPI Accounts

Following inspiring and creative AAPI entrepreneurs, authors, activists, artists, creators, designers, and businesses is the first step. 

By diversifying your feed (with other BIPOC communities, too), you can educate yourself, reflect, and then support and uplift them via social media.

Here are nine inspiring AAPI accounts to follow today:

1. Asian Founded — @asianfounded
   This LA-based account highlights Asian-owned brands and businesses in creative ways. Every Wednesday, they do a round-up of business news from all over the world.

2. On Canada Project — @oncanadaproject

   Founded by Samanta Krishnapillai, it was initially a passion project to speak to young Canadians about the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s since grown to become a self-described “social enterprise” for Millennials and Gen Z to learn about tough topics, using easy-to-understand language.

3. Golden — @netflixgolden

   Earlier this year, the streaming giant Netflix launched an exclusive Instagram (and Twitter) account dedicated to spotlighting the incredible talent, storytelling, and artistry by the Asian diaspora.

4. Product of Culture — @_productofculture_

   Product of Culture is a collective that amplifies brands and creatives of the South Asian diaspora. Their social feed is full of news, lists, round-ups, and recommendations. They also produce the South Asian Film Festival of America.

5. Mikaele Oloa — @maugamu
   Mikaele is a TikTok creator (and 5x World Fireknife Champion) who educates their audience on Samoan cultures and traditions — including traditional Samoan dance.

6. The RepresentASIAN Project — @RepresentASIANProject

   A Canadian platform dedicated to celebrating, advocating and elevating Asian representation and voices in media and beyond. The account always has its finger on the pulse — from sharing wins in the entertainment industry to offering mental health resources to highlighting grassroot groups in need of support.

7. Melemaikalani Makalapua — @melemaikalanimakalapuaa
   With large, engaged audiences on both Instagram and TikTok, content creator and Polynesian dancer Melemaikalani Makalapua shares content on the history of Hawai’i. An advocate for change, Melemaikalani educates on important issues, such as appropriation of Hawai’ian culture.

8. Kim Saira — @kimsaira

   Known for her beautiful graphics, Kim Saira is an Asian Joy Coach, and who doesn’t need that in their life? She shares authentic and empowering insights in a creative and joyful way — creating a great resource for the community.

9. Hāwane Rios — @hawanemusic
   Hāwane Rios is a singer and songwriter from Waimea, Hawai’i. As an advocate for Act To Change, Hāwane reflects on the importance of Hawaiian traditions, and shares inspirational poetry based on their experiences.

P.S. Later offers a 50% discount to all qualified non-profit organizations on paid plans, and a 100% discount to non-profits fighting racism on a Growth plan. Get all the details and apply here.

#2: Spotlight and Support AAPI Creators and Small Businesses

There are so many AAPI creators, businesses, and platforms you can spotlight — the list is neverending.

You can create a round-up of local AAPI businesses and creators you’re either inspired by, have worked with, or bought from, and tag them in your Stories, Reels, or feed posts. 

If you’re a foodie, you can showcase your favorite eateries and restaurants.

If you’re into beauty, share your favorite AAPI-founded brands like @ghlee, @tatcha, @tower28, @livetinted, @honuaskincare, and @ao.organicshawaii.

By regularly spotlighting different accounts on your account, you’re creating a resource for your followers to share — and then for their followers to share.

This is the power of social media.

#3: Pass the Mic Visually and Creatively

Passing the mic can be as simple as letting those in the AAPI community host an Instagram Stories takeover or AMA (Ask Me Anything) session where they can share inspirational words and stories. 

But to take it a step further, it’s also important to make sure there is representation behind the scenes too.

Here’s how three brands successfully passed the mic on multiple levels — going above and beyond the superficial, and celebrating AAPI talent in a visible way:

1. Nobis — @nobis 

   The outerwear brand recently made actor Simu Liu the face of the brand.

   But what’s equally impressive is having back-to-back campaigns shot by two different Asian photographers, Justin Wu and Lawrence Cortez. 

2. The Kit — @thekitca

   Last AAPI Heritage Month, The Kit released a number of stories (including a cover feature) dedicated to celebrating Asian Canadians online, highlighting Asian-Canadian brands, and sharing first-person stories from editors and creators.

   They also dedicated a photoshoot featuring three top Asian-Canadian makeup artists, who shared their experiences of growing up in Canada, and how they came to see their own beauty. 

3. Shiseido — @shiseido

   During Lunar New Year, there are a lot of beauty and fashion brands that launch limited-edition red and gold packaging without further thought or significant AAPI collaboration. 

   This past year, Japanese beauty giant Shiseido changed the game.

   They teamed up with Chinese designer and Next in Fashion alum Angel Chen to reimagine the packaging of its products for Lunar New Year.