During this year’s APIDA Heritage Month, I wanted to highlight the vast amount of stories that APIDA folks hold. We are not a monolith, we are not the stereotypes that the media portrays us to be, and we should not be treated as such. There is so much beauty and complexity that exists in APIDA stories and identities. Together with our Milk Makeup team, I wanted to help create a space where we can be heard.
This year’s APIDA Heritage Month focus at Milk is “Highlighting Our Cultures and Craft,” a theme we extended throughout this blog as well as in an internal company-wide panel. I came up with this theme because I’m constantly inspired by my friends and their art practices. I wanted to highlight the breadth of experiences and creative practices that the APIDA community holds.
My work is not dependent on my identity; rather, my identity shapes my work. Growing up and having to navigate different worlds and languages has shaped who I am by giving me a sensitivity that I like to approach my work with. It has allowed me to be adaptable, caring, and passionate about the work that I do.
Community can mean many things to many people. To me, it means coming as you are. It’s finding a group of people who not only accept you, but also fully embrace you. It’s people who stick with you through the nitty gritty, push you in all the right ways, and hold you when things get difficult. It’s having people to celebrate the good, the bad, and the aggressively mediocre with.
To celebrate and uplift my community, I spoke with APIDA creatives on how they celebrate their heritage, what they’d like the world to recognize about their experiences, and the advice they want to pass along.
Abi Balingit (she/her), Creative
How do you identify?I’m Filipino American. What’s your relationship with your APIDA identity?At this stage in my life, I feel very in touch with my identity. I recognize that there is still a lot for me to learn, but I’m grateful to be in circles where I feel like the common goal is to uplift each other. I love my APIDA friends who are giving me the grace to do that work. What was APIDA representation like for you when you were growing up?Growing up, I looked up to so many Filipino singers and artists. My parents made it a point for us to be proud of Filipinos in the spotlight. I vividly remember when Jasmine Trias was on Season 3 ofAmerican Idol, how much we rooted for her to win because she’s also Filipino. When I was a kid in San Jose and Stockton, I felt really lucky to belong to a diverse APIDA community at school. Where do you find the beauty in your APIDA identity or experience?The beauty of being Asian American, specifically Filipino American, is that I can feel more confident taking up space. For so long, I felt like I didn’t know if my voice was meaningful in a room. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve allowed myself to own my narrative more and to recognize the value of sharing my experiences with others. |
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What’s one thing you want allies or the wider world to recognize about the APIDA experience right now?
I want people to recognize that the APIDA experience isn’t a monolith. We all come from so many different backgrounds, and each of us have a lot to say on behalf of our own communities within the APIDA umbrella.
How do you hope the beauty realm can better support APIDA creators moving forward?
I hope the beauty realm can better support APIDA creators with more representation behind the scenes. It’s so meaningful to see models that look like us putting on makeup that we can also wear. I love supporting brands that have diverse people on their teams, pulling from their own experiences to make incredible products.
How does your identity shape the work you do?
Being Filipino has made me a better baker today and has guided my palate. I love making desserts that have flavors that remind me of my favorite Filipino dishes. I wrote my debut cookbook Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed as a way to preserve my memories, recipes, and culture.
What advice do you have for young APIDA creatives?
My biggest advice for young APIDA creatives is to believe in yourself and your abilities. Especially in an industry that can feel so unstable, the one thing that can be grounding is to have faith that you have a story worth telling. The right people will come along in your life and will be there to listen and help you succeed.
Follow Abi on Instagram @theduskykitchen.
Micah Mew (he/him), Creative
How do you identify?I am fourth-generation Chinese American What’s your relationship with your APIDA identity?I feel honored to identify as APIDA. I think my relationship with my identity has grown wonderfully over time and is also complex and nuanced. When I moved away from home and lived away from my family, I began to more deeply appreciate my upbringing, culture, and values that rooted me growing up. They say distance makes the heart grow fonder, and that could not be more true. At the same time, I have always felt distant from my culture as a fourth-generation Chinese American. I often feel guilty that I can’t speak Mandarin or that I don’t practice many cultural traditions many Chinese families participate in. However, that feeling also fuels my curiosity to learn more about my roots and my ancestors that worked so hard to bring me to where I am today. What was APIDA representation like for you when you were growing up?I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawai’i—a very special place that hosts a beautiful multicultural culture and where there is no true ethnic majority. Asian immigrant communities make up a good portion of the population, so I never felt that different growing up among many people that looked similar to me. That all changed when I went away to college in Oregon, where I first realized that how I look was a part of who I am. I felt like a fish out of water being away from my island home. I learned to find community in people that could relate to me and learned just how big the world is outside of my island home. |
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Where do you find the beauty in your APIDA identity or experience?
I find beauty in the food, art, and culture of my Chinese identity, and also in my upbringing as a kama’aina: a resident of Hawai’i. I think these parts of our experience are interesting and profound to the rest of the world, which makes me feel proud to be part of the APIDA experience.
What’s one thing you want allies or the wider world to recognize about the APIDA experience right now?
I think the APIDA community at large is going through an interesting time right now. We’re seeing our culture being increasingly represented through new streaming shows like Beef, the ever-rising popularity of anime, and a growing love for the diverse foods that we share with the rest of the country. At the same time, we’ve been experiencing traumas of targeted violence against our communities and living in fear for when the next hate crime might happen. Our community is being both celebrated and targeted. I think our allies should be aware of these complex feelings and be there for us for both our victories and when we need a shoulder to lean on.
How do you hope the beauty realm can better support APIDA creators moving forward?
I think the beauty industry can make it a priority to both make products geared towards APIDA skin tones and also prioritize diverse casting in marketing.
How does your identity shape the work you do?
I strive to be my most authentic self in the office, in my personal life, and on social media. That includes my identity and my culture, and I try to share those aspects of my life truthfully and with pride.
What advice do you have for young APIDA creatives?
Be proud of who you are and where you came from! Your unique experiences and perspectives are needed in this world and are valued.
Follow Micah on Instagram @_micahmew.
Nam Phuong Doan (she/they), Creative
How do you identify?Vietnewyorker, third culture kid, she/they What’s your relationship with your APIDA identity?Over the years, I’ve learned to embrace my Vietnamese/Southeast Asian heritage that deeply values community, creativity, and generosity. We’re extremely resilient and also know how to have a good time. There’s nothing I love more than sharing meals and creating with my APIDA friends. I am constantly inspired by the Asian diaspora, and definitely feel lucky to be surrounded by the most delicious food, ethnic diversity, and ongoing history of resistance. What was APIDA representation like for you when you were growing up?I had never unpacked what being Southeast Asian meant to me until I immigrated to the U.S. at 18 years old. The stories being told in Western media about our people were very limited and racialized. I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up and found refuge in the beautiful music and folklore broadcasted over the radio. Being far away from home helped me appreciate “home” more. That sentiment of learned appreciation reminds me that I do belong, that I myself can create my own representation of what it means to be Asian, queer, creative, and beyond because culture constantly evolves. |
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Where do you find the beauty in your APIDA identity or experience?
It’s all about community and how you show up. When I operate around other APIDA folks, especially those who are also passionate, kind, weird, and curious, I feel incredibly validated. I love learning about the things that make them special, and I enjoy being challenged in order to grow. Community can manifest from the small, everyday things that bring us joy, to the more life-changing moments of solidarity.
During the pandemic when our community was under attack, my friends and I sent handwritten letters to each other, and we also made art and protested together. When there’s a lot of uncertainty, I count on the groundedness and care provided by people who know what it feels like to be Asian in America. It’s important to show up not just for our community but also for other BIPOC communities at large.
What’s one thing you want allies or the wider world to recognize about the APIDA experience right now?
Our stories are being told in more nuanced ways than ever. We’re not a monolith, never have been and never will be. Support APIDA small businesses, artists, and makers. Collaborate with us, grow with us. And stop being afraid of our long last names!
How do you hope the beauty realm can better support APIDA creators moving forward?
I hope that the beauty realm can be creative and courageous in what to do better. For a long time, the beauty industry didn’t allow for all the shades in between to exist with pride across product lines. Long-term commitment to inclusive representation and product improvement is one way; creative collaboration with APIDA creators is another. In addition, hiring for diversity alone isn’t enough. Beauty companies need to make sure their work environment and internal processes can support creators of color’s work, personal development, and relationship building.
How does your identity shape the work you do?
My career and personal life are both heavily influenced by my identity and community. I wouldn’t know how to do it otherwise. At my day job as an experience designer and strategist, I work with teams of designers and engineers to create or improve digital products and experiences. We have to put ourselves in the end users’ shoes and advocate for our designs to be more accessible, sustainable and meaningful. It’s not always easy, especially when we have to meet clients’ demands within a limited amount of time. I’m committed to bringing my values and never-ending questions to work. On the side, I really enjoy collaborating with friends on art, film, and community projects. One of the most awesome projects that I learned so much from is Centuries & Still, a mixed-media illustrated short film telling the history of anti-Asian discrimination in the U.S., directed by my friend Sally Tran.
What advice do you have for young APIDA creatives?
I am so inspired by young APIDA creatives. The learnings here would be mutual. If there’s one key thing I’ve learned over the years, it’s that there’s always going to be comfort and discomfort coexisting, and you have to learn to be okay with both. The questions of “who am I, where am I, what am I doing?” will never really go away; they just evolve into different forms as you grow. Learn how to embrace the feeling of being in between and use it in your creative work.
A dear friend of mine used to teach me, “Together, we know a lot,” back in our climate justice-organizing days. That’s what I try to advocate for. Build meaningful relationships with people that are willing to inspire you, challenge you, and call out your name in a room full of opportunities.
Follow Nam on Instagram @livingcreature24.
Iley Cao (she/they), Milk Makeup Social Media Content Creator
How do you identify?I identify as Chinese and Vietnamese American. What's your relationship with your APIDA identity?I would say my relationship with my APIDA identity has improved a lot in the past years, especially since leaving my hometown. I grew up in a very white town in suburban Colorado, and I was one of a few Asian students in a class of 600. When I was growing up, I wanted to hide my differences and culture. Thankfully, my parents taught me the importance of maintaining and preserving our culture and identity. I feel very closely connected and proud of my APIDA identity now and am excited for the future of the APIDA community. Where do you find the beauty in your APIDA identity or experience?There is so much richness and vibrancy in being APIDA. I find so much beauty in the in-betweens of it all. When I was younger, I felt the need to choose one culture or another and felt that I needed to assimilate in order to be accepted. Now, I feel so grateful to hold multiple identities and I feel like it has allowed me to connect with people in my communities on a deeper level. While I have learned a lot, I am still always learning how to navigate between different cultures as I grow. |
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What's one thing you want allies or the wider world to recognize about the APIDA experience?
I want allies to recognize and hear our stories and to know that we aren't a monolith. There are so many experiences within the label of APIDA, and the world should be open to listening. Society and media has painted a very narrow portrait of APIDA folks, and it has led to violence, stereotypes, microaggressions, and the idea that Asian people are perpetual foreigners. We also need to protect Asian elders, femmes, and those that are most vulnerable in the community.
What was APIDA representation like for you when you were growing up?
It was practically nonexistent. Like I mentioned, I grew up in a predominantly white environment, where there was little to no representation. Even in the media, I never saw people who looked like me or had relatable stories. I think later on, it definitely got better once I had access to the internet (mostly YouTube in the early days). I was exposed to creatives who are APIDA (shoutout to Wong Fu, Anna Akana, Ryan Higa, Jenn Im, and more) and recognized that we could make our own spaces to tell our stories.
How did that impact you?
I think it definitely caused me to question the importance of my identity and culture because I didn't have an example of how to navigate it. Since I didn't have stories being told that I could really relate to, I felt disconnected from my identity while having a sense of confusion as to where I fit in.
Do you feel representation has changed since then? How?
I feel like representation has changed, but I think that there's still a ways to go. There have been so many amazing films, books, and media lately that are telling APIDA stories (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Minari, On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous, The Farewell, to name a few). These are the stories that I wish I saw growing up, and it makes me really excited and hopeful for APIDA youth.
How do you hope the beauty realm can better support APIDA creators moving forward?
I hope that the beauty realm can better support APIDA creators by highlighting our stories and voices while also recognizing how Asian cultures influence the beauty landscape. For example, gua sha is a traditional Chinese practice that only recently has become popular, but there is little acknowledgement about the cultural heritage and history that it carries.
Follow Iley on Instagram @iley.c.
Nancy Uddin (she/her), Creative
How do you identify?I was born and raised in New York City and my ancestral roots are in Bangladesh. What’s your relationship with your APIDA identity?From fasting during Ramadan to listening to qawwali, my identity provides me with a deep sense of belonging and groundedness. I love my community of South Asian friends who indulge in traditions, whether by reclaiming an experience or not. It’s impossible to separate my identity from the struggles and discrimination that Asian communities have faced throughout history and continue to face today. I insist on challenging assumptions and perceptions by normalizing my multiplicities. What was APIDA representation like for you when you were growing up?Historically, the beauty and fashion industries have been exclusionary and white-centric. I have not felt truly seen. APIDA representation was limited to highly stigmatizing tropes in the ’90s, such as Apu from The Simpsons, terrorist characters, and taxi driver caricatures. However, connecting with beauty leaders like Tanaïs, who is fiercely working to distribute products and design that honors brown-like-the-earth skin, brings me joy. People like Tanaïs are challenging the hegemony and building a world where all will be seen. |
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Where do you find the beauty in your APIDA identity or experience?
I find beauty in the fringes, from underappreciated aesthetics (like my hooked nose or my mother’s calloused hands) to cultural rituals (from Ayurvedic haircare to performing dhikr while applying makeup). I identify as a muse and a muse’s work is to essentially inspire. I seek beauty and beauty seeks me as I diminish beauty ideals and practice infinite love. In doing so, I am constantly inspired by my community and beyond while simultaneously touching people with my creative practices. I recognize inspiration as a form of energy exchange and labor. It’s been so empowering to shoot some editorial projects and write about deeply intimate issues including transnational feminism, self-love, and navigating the push and pulls of holding a hyphenated identity for various outlets.
What’s one thing you want allies or the wider world to recognize about the APIDA experience right now?
Real diversity efforts cannot be exploitative, performative, or reductive to a monolith; they must showcase nuance even within the APIDA identity while listening to APIDA individuals foremost. It’s lovely to have a month to honor the APIDA heritage, but how can we integrate the month’s efforts into sustainable year-long business practices?
How do you hope the beauty realm can better support APIDA creators moving forward?
I task people in the beauty industry, both in leadership and outside, to reimagine beauty campaigns and products. Perhaps building products that meet the needs of different skin types, partnering with local beauty crafters, and considering different business models that make luxury accessible and equitable? We must actively look inwards to reject our personal biases and comfort with socialized paradigms.
Additionally, get creative with making space for APIDA creators to make executive decisions or lead beauty campaigns. For example, I would love to be a guest creative director for a makeup brand I deeply admire.
How does your identity shape the work you do?
My layered identity as a Sufi Muslim woman of the Bangladeshi diaspora intimately informs all the work I do and cultivates my commitment to vulnerability. I recognize vulnerability as a vehicle to foster depth and truth. As a journalist, I am always uplifting narratives of people from diverse backgrounds while complicating perspectives to tell fuller stories. As a model, I am paying homage to my identity by not only making my hooked nose visible, but also speaking on my insecurities around this beauty feature. As a technologist and consultant, I am providing insights on ways to integrate DEI efforts in the tech industry.
What advice do you have for young APIDA creatives?
For those that fall into doom spiraling and are frustrated by the limited opportunities available to APIDA creatives, I find reframing helpful. Yes, code-switching can be exhausting but bridging could be beautiful. We are bridges into many worlds and can pull our worlds in if we want! We are translators, gate-breakers, and multi-doers.
Also, if the opportunity is not available, make it available. What will you do to advocate for yourself, add value to systems, and put your work and story out there?
Follow Nancy on Instagram @flybrowngurl.
Daisy Wang (she/her), Creative
How do you identify?Chinese. What’s your relationship with your APIDA identity?Proud and representing. What was APIDA representation like for you when you were growing up?I remember growing up and even back in college, whenever I asked my ABC (American Born Chinese) friends where they were from, they would mostly respond with, “America.” There would always be one or two follow up questions like, “Where are your roots from?” That’s when they’d tell me “Okay, my parents/grandparents are from this place.” Now, when you ask, we proudly introduce our roots first before adding “American” at the end. When I was growing up, it wasn’t “’cool”’ to share your roots. Instead, everyone wanted to be categorized as just “American.”’ Where do you find the beauty in your APIDA identity or experience?I’ve always loved learning about Asian history and culture. In particular, seeing different aesthetics through different time periods eventually led me to what I’m doing right now. I guess because of that, I’ve always been proud of my identity. Even when I first moved here, I wasn’t trying to hide it. I’ve always been so grateful that I got to experience both sides of the culture and perspectives. Growing up in China until I was 15 and living the rest of my youth in the U.S. gave me the chance to learn from and grow in both cultures and perspectives. |
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What’s one thing you want allies or the wider world to recognize about the APIDA experience right now?
To give us an opportunity to shine from sharing our modern take on our culture and aesthetics. To break the stereotypes through our own visions.
How do you hope the beauty realm can better support APIDA creators moving forward?
Celebrating more Asian artists and our views. Introduce more color shades that suit our skin tones and share more diverse beauty visuals that fit people of diverse cultural backgrounds.
How does your identity shape the work you do?
At the end of the day, it’s my identity and love for my culture that led me to the passion of exploring and promoting Modern Chinese lifestyle and aesthetics. Leaning into my identity is my way of sharing a new vision from our generation.
What advice do you have for young APIDA creatives?
Be proud and don’t be afraid to use your voice!
Follow Daisy on Instagram @dawangnewyork.
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