May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, where we celebrate the amazing ways these cultures have shaped, and continue to shape, the United States. From the first waves of immigration in the 1850s to being projected as the largest immigration group by 2055, the AAPI community has an important role in influencing the art, media, and culture of our nation. We encourage you to learn more about AAPI’s 30 countries and ethnic groups. We want to share amazing influencers within this community that you’ll want to keep watching long after Heritage Month.
Vivian Tu
Vivian Tu is a finance influencer who markets herself as “your rich bff.” She wants her followers to know all the tips and tricks of how to handle their money. This “Wall Street Girly” provides you with all the resources you need to get ahead while spreading her knowledge beyond her social media presence. Tu reaches her audience through her newsletter, podcast, and even her New York Times Bestselling book, Rich AF. She can be found on all the major social media platforms and is currently tracking 3.6 million followers on Instagram.
Anthony Youn
Anthony Youn, MD, FACS, is “America’s Holistic Plastic Surgeon” who is best known for sharing both funny and informative content related to plastic surgery on his social media accounts. He is very respectful of the somewhat controversial topic of plastic surgery, as he advocates for health above all else and does not push a narrative that everyone should consider cosmetic alteration. Since leaning into the online world, Youn has taken on new projects, including the podcast, The Dr. Youn Show, and writing a book called Younger for Life that talks about his advice on how to age well through the process of “autojuvenation.”
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Andy Han
He might live in Ontario, Canada, but Modern Makeovers still deserves some love, so we wanted to include him. Andy Han works in refurbishing and repairing old furniture and shares his craft with the internet through soothing videos. He uses his years of experience to take furniture that most people would write off and transform it into eye-catching pieces that anyone would want in their home. His content is perfect for viewers who want to learn more about the process of fixing woodcraft. If you’re like us, you’re simply interested in a beautiful final product.
David Suh
In the age of selfies and documenting our lives through the photo lens, everyone could use a few pointers on how to look and feel confident in front of a camera. Thankfully, David Suh has us covered. This AAPI influencer with over 1.7 million followers on Instagram is a posing coach and portrait photographer based in LA. He wants everyone to know how they can best present themselves on camera. Through his short yet engaging video posts, Suh goes through the basics of what he does at work and how you can benefit from his expertise. Suh also shares ways we can all see ourselves as “beautiful artwork that deserves to be seen.”
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Joyce Park
One of the most popular genres of content is beauty content, however, it’s hard to know who to trust. With Dr. Joyce Park, MD, FAAD, though, you know you are getting the best information from an extremely qualified board-certified dermatologist. Through her platform, she shares the best information about skincare and what to know about current beauty trends. Dr. Park is also the founder of Skin Refinery, a virtual dermatology clinic. She has also been featured in a variety of publications where she was able to share her knowledge.
Kylie Sakaida
Nutrition is an important part of keeping a healthy life, and these days, it has become more accessible with the rise of social media. One AAPI influencer who is worth following in this sphere is Kylie Sakaida, MS, RD. Kylie is a dietitian and nutritionist who shares her knowledge of food and eating habits on the internet. She has collected over 1.8 million followers on Instagram and has recently released a cookbook, So Easy So Good. Through her channel, she explains her thoughts behind cooking and how helpful it can be to make healthy food tasty.
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Yuko Gunji
Styles of art that come from different cultures create new ways of communication. One AAPI influencer by the name of Yuko Gunji has built a following around keeping the art of kintsugi alive and thriving. Kintsugi is the process of reconnecting broken pottery by highlighting the cracks with gold to highlight the beauty of imperfection. In a Manhattan workshop, Gunji teaches people how to bring this practice into their pieces of broken pottery. Gunji also shares the final product of her craft through her Instagram page, which has garnered over 53.8 thousand followers.
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Sarah Ahn
One of the reasons people end up enjoying cooking is because of the positive memories associated with it during childhood. One channel that captures the feelings of family and cooking is Ahnest Kitchen. Their story started when a daughter, Sarah Ahn, wanted to collect her mother’s recipes and share what she found. Together, the pair has gained over 851 thousand followers on Instagram with posts that show off beautiful recipes that have soul and flavor. Mother Nam Soon Ahn made authentic and delicious Korean food during her time as a restaurant owner and has now taken the time to write a book, called Umma, of kitchen wisdom and recipes with her daughter.
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This article was written by Emily Finnell
