AAPI Creators Making An Impact
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we are highlighting some notable AAPI creators by sharing their stories and their positive contributions on social media.
The AAPI community is underrepresented, and people of AAPI heritage have endured rising discrimination in the United States. It is more important now than ever before to support the AAPI community, and to be vocal about the importance and value of representation. Today, we are standing with the AAPI community as we share some of our favorite AAPI content creators.
Aimee Song (@aimeesong)
One of the most impressive AAPI influencers is Aimee Song. Not only has Song become a New York Times bestselling author and been named on Forbes 30 Under 30 list, but she has even had a Barbie created in her likeness. Having her own Barbie was an accomplishment for not only Song, but the entire AAPI community. As Song said in an article for Teen Vogue, “Growing up playing with Barbies, I always assumed Barbie could only be a blonde Caucasian doll. To get the opportunity to have a Barbie created based on my Asian heritage and modeled after me was such a monumental moment. I know how isolating it feels as a kid to not have a doll that looks remotely similar to you, so I wanted to make sure that with this opportunity, my Barbie represented Asians, aligned with my core values, and inspired other children.” With over 6.4 million followers on Instagram, Song has influential power that she uses to encourage AAPI representation.
Jenny Ong (@jennyong)
Another influential AAPI creator is Jenny Ong. Ong uses her platform to consistently promote natural and sustainable ways of living. As a self proclaimed “Earth advocate”, Ong fills her Instagram feed with images of eggs from her chickens, flowers, fruits and other environmentally friendly posts. From backyard renovations to clothing made out of recycled materials, Ong demonstrates that sustainability can be trendy and fashionable. Not only this, but Ong tackles the stigma of mental health by reminding followers to take care of themselves, take deep breaths and focus on their wellbeing. Her influence reaches over 161,000 followers on Instagram and demonstrates that positivity can be found in all aspects of life.
Eugenie Grey (@feralcreature)
The last influencer being highlighted is Eugenie Grey. While many people know Grey for her fashion, travel and beauty blogging, she also uses her platform to spread easily accessible news for her followers. Using the brand name Feral Creature, Grey creates relatable lifestyle content on her blog. In 2017, Feral Creature was rebranded to incorporate more outspokenness regarding social justice issues and news. Although Grey has been relatively inactive on her blog over the past couple of years, her impact is still relevant. Past articles include journal entries about personal emotions and experiences, and deep conversations related to diversity. Grey also shares her story of being a survivor of domestic violence and childhood trauma with her 364,000+ Instagram followers. It is with this candor and bravery that Grey establishes herself as a role model for the AAPI community.
All of these AAPI creators represent the desire for change, the desire for acknowledgement, and the desire for a better future.
These creators all have passions, stories and platforms that allow them to make an impact on the community. By sharing their stories and beliefs with others, they are leading people toward a brighter future. It is our hope that by sharing the stories of these incredible individuals, people will recognize the power of the AAPI community.
