Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
May 03, 2021 – [[read-time]] minute read
At YouTube, we couldn’t be more proud of our global Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community. From actors to musicians, make-up artists to comedians, and DJs to designers, the community influences the cultural fabric of America and the world beyond.
It’s been a horrific year of increased racism and violence against Asians and Pacific Islanders, and it certainly weighs heavily on all of us. And for many in this community, words aren’t enough.
So we’d like to take this opportunity -- this month of May -- to do something that educates, uplifts and inspires: This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), we’re showcasing the stories and creativity of API creators and artists on the YouTube Spotlight channel and across the platform. Watch Anna Akana, Steve Aoki, Hasan Minhaj, Amanda Rach Lee and many more share what it was like growing up and living in North America -- juggling multiple cultures, languages and customs. How it helped them discover their own voices and perspectives. And how all of it has made them the talented humans they are today.
It’s undeniable how rich and expansive the API community’s body of work is -- so we’re just here to surface it even more. Below is a sneak peek of some of the additional celebratory content you will see across YouTube over the course of this month.
YouTube Music
- YouTube Music is honoring APAHM with a flagship playlist titled “Celebrating APAHM” featuring both emerging and iconic Asian American artists. You can catch rising artist AUDREY NUNA on the cover of “Celebrating APAHM” this week and on YouTube’s Spotlight channel alongside Eric Nam, Raja Kumari, keshi and more artists. Over the course of the month, fans can also enjoy several other YouTube Music playlists that showcase Asian artists across the diaspora and their extensive contributions to music and culture. Additionally, you can tune into one of our upcoming episodes of RELEASED to catch some special API programming. RELEASED drops every Thursday night at 11:45 p.m. ET.
YouTube Kids
- YouTube Kids will feature “AAPI Storytime” videos from The Conscious Kid and Wong Fu Productions, with children’s books celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage and culture, read aloud by celebrities like Harry Shum Jr. Videos will be released weekly through May on The Conscious Kid’s YouTube channel and in the learning section of the YouTube Kids app.
YouTube Learning
- YouTube Learning will launch two playlists to celebrate APAHM. Explore AAPI History will pay tribute to the Asian and Pacific Islander communities who have helped shape modern U.S. history and been instrumental to its success. Asian American Heroes will celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of noteworthy Asian Americans -- past and present!
YouTube Originals
- YouTube Originals will announce a special project on May 4 in support of the API community. Stay tuned for details.
We’re so grateful to the API community for what they bring to YouTube! The stories, the creativity and all the heart. Thank you.