YouTube Showcases Anna Akana, Steve Aoki, More API Creators Across Platforms for Heritage Month
By Carl Samson
YouTube is putting Asian and Pacific Islander (API) creators in the spotlight of its platforms in honor of Heritage Month.
In a blog post on Monday, Go-To-Market Shows Lead Dennis Chiu said YouTube could not be more proud of the global API community, whose work “influences the cultural fabric of America and the world beyond.”
Amid all of the talent, Chiu acknowledged the increased racism and violence towards APIs in the past year and noted that “for many in this community, words aren’t enough.”
Throughout Asian and Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), YouTube will showcase the stories and creativity of API creators and artists across its platforms to educate, uplift and inspire people.
For one, YouTube has dedicated an APAHM playlist in its Spotlight channel, which features videos about the lives of creators such as Anna Akana, Steve Aoki, Hasan Minhaj and Amanda Lee.
NextShark’s 2016 interview with Aoki, in which he talks about the struggles of growing up Asian American, is currently at the top of the list.
Chiu said fans will be able to enjoy several other YouTube Music playlists throughout the month that showcase artists from across Asian diasporas. The Spotlight channel’s “RELEASED” playlist, updated on Thursdays at 11:45 p.m. ET, will also feature “some special API programming.”
Meanwhile, YouTube Kids will feature “AAPI Storytime” videos from The Conscious Kid and Wong Fu Productions, with children’s books on AAPI heritage to be read aloud by celebrities like Harry Shum Jr. Videos will be released every week on The Conscious Kid’s YouTube channel and in the learning section of the YouTube Kids app.
YouTube Learning will launch two playlists: “Explore AAPI History” will honor API communities who have helped shape modern U.S. history, while “Asian American Heroes” will celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of noteworthy Asian Americans.
“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,” Chiu wrote. “We’re so grateful to the API community for what they bring to YouTube! The stories, the creativity and all the heart. Thank you.”
Feature Image via Anna Akana (left), NextShark (right)
Share this Article
Share this Article