Every May, Americans from coast to coast unite to celebrate the rich legacy of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) cultures.TikTok is strengthening its celebration with a full calendar of in-app activities and in-person events this year. Above all, TikTok will continue to uplift voices from these communities and instill cultural pride. But TikTok is not only embracing traditions--in 2025, TikTok is providing a platform to spotlight innovation, creativity, and leadership from the entirety of the AANHPI landscape.
AANHPI Voices to Watch: Recognizing Creative Excellence
One of TikTok's exciting initiatives this year is the launch of its "AANHPI Voices to Watch" list. This curated showcase of rising stars shattering norms in content creation, entrepreneurship, and community impact also builds upon a concept much more than recognition. The program will feature new creators making important contributions, including entertainment, wellness, fashion, music, and beauty. Every creative on the list generates an effect both within and outside the app, regardless of the sector in which they established their brand. Still, through their initiative, TikTok is helping bring more visibility to creators by featuring their content across the app during May.
Real-World Celebrations: Connecting Communities Offline
Through significant events, TikTok is collaborating with communities offline in addition to its digital endeavors. For example, it plans to sponsor the Gold Gala in 2025, a formal occasion to recognize AANHPI excellence, during which several honorees from the A100 List will receive recognition for their cultural contributions. In addition to celebration, TikTok plans to sponsor community-led events and creative experiences to expand engagement opportunities. While they may not be solely ceremonial, they are celebrations of community, inclusion, inspiration, and impact. TikTok is building bridges between digital reach and correlation in the real world as it continues as a cultural catalyst.
A Platform That Amplifies Underrepresented Voices
This is the fifth year of TikTok's AANHPI Visionary Voices campaign. This program has always focused on elevating underrepresented creators to give them recognition and, ultimately, reach. Unlike most social media platforms, TikTok has committed to cultural programming as part of its valued brand. No matter the political ambiguity of TikTok's U.S. operations, the platform continues to be a critical channel for marginalized identities worldwide to reach audiences. Even amid conversations about banning the app, TikTok remains a platform that celebrates expanding representation. Remember, representation is not just a perk—it is a pillar of community and development.
