Celebrating Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Messenger and Messenger Kids
Last month we celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. We’d like to highlight the diversity and influence that Asian Pacific Islanders (API) have had on our community, while recognizing their unique identities, diverse cultures and heritages.
Supporting API-owned businesses
Over the past year, small businesses as a whole have faced significant challenges. For API owned businesses, both the pandemic and hate crime related issues have had a profound impact. We’re proud and honored to elevate API owned small businesses by providing them with the tools they need to reach their customers and help them grow. Here are a few businesses that are making a positive impact in their communities:
Founded in 2011 by sisters Melissa and Lavanya Jawaharlal, STEM Center USA was born out of their love for creating to help inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. STEM Center USA provides a safe space for students to learn about technology through engaging experiences with fellow students. Since the pandemic, they have had to shift their business model and they use Messenger to communicate with their customers and reach new students. Messenger has been a helpful platform for them to continue conversations with parents and students after class so that the learning doesn’t stop.
Right Stack Physical Therapy, is a private outpatient practice that was founded by Divya Raghavan in 2019. Divya provides 1:1 pain and injury care, and conducts injury prevention to several corporations and dance studios. For Divya, the most satisfying thing about running her business is having the freedom on how to use her time and care for her patients. Divya heavily leans Messenger to talk to patients about their pains and needs prior to booking appointments. She found that the use of Messenger allows her to easily communicate with potential clients and showcase her caring personality and expertise.
Both of these businesses have unique stories that we’re proud to amplify, to support or learn more about them check out their Facebook pages and chat with them on Messenger.
Accessing Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Artwork
Last month, we also introduced new camera stickers on Messenger and Messenger Kids that you can use to continue the celebration and raise awareness on key issues important to the API community.
Kids can also explore the variety and richness of the unique cultures across API communities through a series of Messenger Kids camera stickers. To help kids learn more, we created a reference guide so that parents can continue in-depth conversations with their kids around API cultures.
To access the camera stickers, simply open the camera in the Messenger app, take photos or videos, and tap each of the featured stickers at the bottom of your screen. On Messenger Kids, open the app to take a photo or record a video using the Messenger Kids camera, then tap the sticker icon at the bottom of your screen to add a camera sticker.
Rolling Stone + Messenger
Finally to wrap up APAHM we partnered with Rolling Stone and released “Artist on Artist: A Rolling Stone Conversation,” a dialogue between Raveena and Yeek: two friends, musicians, and members of the API community. The conversation, took place in a Messenger Room, and was facilitated by Rolling Stone editor, Tim Chan, set an intimate tone around their journeys as artists and the uniquely specific experience of growing up Asian in America.
To hear these inspiring musicians open up in a Messenger Room, check out Rolling Stone’s Facebook page. You can also Watch Together with your friends by simply starting a Messenger video call or creating a Messenger Room then swiping up to access the menu and select Watch Together.
We hope that you continue to celebrate and support the API community.