TikTok is honoring a group of 15 creators, business owners, and “industry disruptors” for this year’s Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Each year, TikTok's Visionary Voices list highlights creatives who celebrate and showcase their heritage on the platform, aiming to recognize the cultural impact that marginalized creators make. “This AANHPI Heritage Month and beyond, we’re honoring the legacy and history-making influence of our diverse Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander TikTok community,” said Shavone Charles, TikTok's global head of diversity and inclusion communications.
The future of TikTok in the United States is uncertain following President Joe Biden's signing of a bill that could ban TikTok if its Beijing-based parent company, ByteDance, isn't sold to an American company. Creators and small-business owners have criticized the move, noting that the app has allowed historically disadvantaged business owners to reach new customers.
An economic impact report from TikTok in collaboration with Oxford Economics found that 57% of AAPI small and medium-sized businesses on TikTok say the app plays a significant role in their growth and marketing. Additionally, 93% said that TikTok has allowed them to reach new, diverse audiences in the U.S. Despite the app's uncertain future, TikTok is honoring AAPI musicians, chefs, athletes, beauty industry professionals, and more. Some of the creators being recognized this month include:
- Laufey, who won the Grammy Award for best traditional pop vocal album in February and is currently on a world tour, with 4.7 million TikTok followers.
- Zaria Parvez, praised for her work as Duolingo’s senior global social media manager, growing the Duolingo account to 11 million followers and becoming a model for engaging Gen Z through humor.
- Other honorees include creators Tisha Alyn, Adrian Per, and Vivian Tu; “industry disruptors” Dr. Sasha Hamdani and musician Thuy; and the small businesses Sunday Glow, Linda Tong Planners, Sundae School, Ranavat, and Love and Pebble.