The idea for The Asian Creator Awards was sparked back in 2020 when I realized there wasn’t an awards show highlighting the talent and influence of Asian creators—and I was honestly surprised no one had done it yet. So, I decided to take matters into my own hands. That began a journey to creat an event that would recognize and elevate the Asian voices shaping culture, conversations, and communities within the creator economy was long overdue.
From established creators rising stars to creator economy leaders and innovators, the Asian Creator Awards honors creativity, innovation, and impact across categories like Business, Lifestyle, Food, Comedy, Startup, and more. Our mission is simple: to empower and celebrate Asian creators as well as those building the platform and tools that empower creators to thrive.
Produced by Just Like Media, The Asian Creator Awards is here to honor our ancestors and inspire the next generation to continue making waves and pushing boundaries.
Though the idea was sparked in 2020, it took four years to finally realize that vision into reality. I built community with Asian creators through a LinkedIn audio program, in-person events in Los Angeles and NYC, and launching a membership community to bring people together.
I felt 2024 was the right time to finally attempt the in-person event. To successfully create an awards show, we needed both the tactical details, venue, date, time, etc., as well as the big green light in the form of a Title Sponsor to help us get the ball rolling. My first call was to Sean Kim, former President of Kajabi, to pitch the vision and why I thought Kajabi, a digital platfrom that helps creators monetize their expertise and prodcuts, would be the perfect match.
He immediately got our vision and the partnership was launched. With the Title Sponsor announced, we also were able to get sponsorship support from Adobe, simplehuman, CALPAK, TDW+Co (a multicultural ad agency), and more.
I assembled my all-star, and mostly all-Asian, event team led by Christine Chang of Live Love Create events and we planned for an event that would both make a memorable in-person engagement and much content to share in perpetuity.
On Thursday Septemeber 12, 2024 at the iconic Intercrew Restaurant in LA's Koreatown, we successfully had the Asian Creator Awards. We celebrated 15 winners across 13 categories, including Creator of the Year Vivian Tu, aka Your Rich BFF. World class food and drinks flowed from the Intercrew team, everyone went home with an amazing swag bag, and Getty Images was there to capture it all.
It's truly been one of my most proud professinal moments. I dreamed it and did it, so no longer will anybody say that's there never been an awards show to celebreate our community of creators and builders.
