Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2026: Celebrating #APITikTok

From sharing family recipes to supporting API-owned small businesses, #APITikTok continues to shape culture through shared traditions and authentic community. This Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we're celebrating the achievements and impact of #APITikTok creators who inspire us on the For You Feed.

#APITikTok Spotlight

The #APITikTok community continues to remind us that API identity is many things: joyful, powerful, creative, and never just one story. We're thrilled to shine a light on creators and small business owners who use their voices to educate and entertain:

@butterchickenfactoryto (Toronto, ON): This family-owned Indian restaurant serving iconic Delhi-style butter chicken for over 15 years has transformed into a much-loved local brand through humorous, skit-driven TikTok content featuring owner Bhuv Malik.

@chasingthemilk (St. Peters, MO): Tan is passionate about teaching others how to capture celestial objects through photography on TikTok LIVE. Finding peace by gazing at the night sky, he developed a passion for exploring the wonders of the universe.

@ellybellyeats (New York, NY): Lil Sweet Treat, founded by Elly Ross, is the viral destination for elevated candy from around the world. The brand has a constantly rotating selection of sweets, and also specializes in premium gifting and bespoke events.

@iankewks (Calgary, AB): Ian is a home chef with a focus on sharing recipes representative of his background and Filipino roots, covering everything from ube-forward desserts to traditional and non-traditional takes on well-loved dishes like chicken adobo.

@katiewongspelledwang (New York, NY): Katie Wong is a rowing and strength instructor at Peloton who blends elite fitness with personality driven content and an authentic look at her life in New York City. Growing up in San Francisco, she initially pursued a career in tech but ultimately found her passion, purpose and community in fitness. Outside the studio, Katie shares her creative side on TikTok, often featuring makeup reviews, her cat Ma'am, and her grandmother, her favorite person, highlighting the cultural roots and family connection that shape her perspective.

@lifewithleannelee (Ottawa, ON): Leanne Lee brings laughter to her community through her skits on everything from sibling rivalries, to trading snacks in school, bringing humour to her reflections on her Chinese heritage.

@mahammalek (Toronto, ON): Maham's series, Learning My Friends' Cultures, gives audiences a glimpse at the creator trying on traditional clothing and makeup looks alongside friends from diverse backgrounds. From stunning Eid glam to everyday beauty content, her work inspires her community and celebrates diversity through fashion and makeup.

@meicrosoft (Toronto, ON): Mei Pang is a first-generation Malaysian-Canadian creator whose content blends beauty and makeup with jaw-dropping visuals that have earned her a global audience. With her stunning - and often surreal - makeup looks, Mei doesn't just stay on top of the latest trends, she sets them.

@shivalry_inc (Los Angeles, CA): Shivani Reddy is a culture and entertainment creator spotlighting South Asian stories across film and TV, sparking conversations around representation in media. She's partnered with studios like Disney, Pixar, and Apple TV+ to amplify diverse storytelling and champion more inclusive on-screen narratives.

@sudscrub (Las Vegas, NV): During the pandemic, founders Raymond and Steven Truong learned how quickly traditional loofahs and silicone scrubbers collect and breed bacteria. When they couldn't find a solution on the market, they set out to build their own brand from the ground up on TikTok, picking up the camera and starting to post content without any advertising budget. Around 40% of customers say they first heard about Sud Scrub through TikTok. Today, around 30% of monthly revenue comes from TikTok Shop.

Join us in celebrating our #APITikTok community

This Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and beyond, we invite you to join us in celebrating the legacy and impact of our #APITikTok community. Share your stories using the hashtag #APITikTok, shop API-owned small businesses, and follow @TikTokCreators to discover API creators, artists, and small business owners celebrating their cultural heritage.