To celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander (API) Heritage Month, TikTok has launched new hashtags and weekly events that will spotlight API creators in May:
“On TikTok, API creators are embraced for their creativity, authenticity, and cultural pride. This month, we’re honoring the API community with #WeAreAPI and #AsianTikTok, to shine a light on their powerful stories and experiences. We’ll also be hosting weekly virtual community events, including TikTok LIVE streams, and API creator and small business spotlights, to celebrate the impact API creators have made in the community”.
The live events include “This is Activism”, “Styling and Shining”, “Kitchen Chronicles”, and “History is Happening”. TikTok also shared their ‘Inaugural API TikTok Trailblazers’ – who were chosen by the TikTok API community for their engaging content and powerful advocacy for the community. The Inaugural API TikTok Trailblazers list include:
1. @8illy
With over 1.7 million followers and 34.1 million likes, Billy is known for his skillful editing, creative short films and Spotify playlist videos.
@8illy cardboard & billy & sad
2. @ElenaShinohara
Elena Shinohara uploads videos of her skills as a rhythmic gymnast, having been part of the USA Rhythmic Gymnastics National Team.
@elenashinohara Hope I can compete this year #rhythmicgymnastics #leotard
3. @krithi.com
Krithi Srinivas went viral for her and her mother’s creative and wholesome dance choreography and sketch comedy.
@krithi.com dc @itsweezhoe . p much just copied @cassidycondiee
4. @Tiffycooks
Tiffy is a food influencer known for quick and easy Asian food recipes which include Chicken Noodle Soup, Korean Fried Chicken, and Korean Cheesy Potato Pancakes.
@tiffycooks 4 Ingredients ONLY! Cheese + Potato = Love. that cheese pull tho …..
TikTok also rolled out API Heritage Month stickers that were created and led by Julia Yellow – a Taiwanese TikTok Illustrator and designer. The API Heritage Month stickers will be accessible to users on the stickers tray located at the top of the user’s video.
Moreover, in light of the growing surge in hate crimes towards the API community, TikTok has banned offensive racial slurs such as “kungflu” and asserted their focus on protecting the API community on its platform. Moreover, TikTok has donated $275K to non-profit organizations such as Asian Mental Health Collective and Hate is a Virus to support their fight against Asian hate crimes. Additionally, they have sponsored the Third Annual Act to Change API Day Against Bullying + Hate Conference – which is scheduled on May 18.