AHN and Meta Prosper have partnered on a new podcast series highlighting API creators. Meta Prosper is dedicated to amplifying and supporting the API community and driving economic growth and equitable representation. The Creators Podcast series delivers stories on how creators achieved success and created impact through their platforms, serving as an inspiration for the community.
Venture into the fifth episode of Creators Podcast for an insightful exchange with Ryan Alexander Holmes, a Los Angeles-based actor and content creator. With his multicultural background of Chinese and African influences, Ryan shares his thoughts on content creation, creative process and his journey to embrace his mixed heritage through comedy and storytelling.
The 34-year-old from LA makes comedic videos that celebrate both his African and Chinese blood. However, it was never an easy journey of cultural reconciliation.
Being the only Black child among his friends, his Asian roots were mostly neglected but rather, he was told to conform to African American stereotypes, even though he still spoke Chinese and celebrated Chinese festivals at home.
This story has a happy ending. Ryan now has fully embraced his biraciality and proudly shares it on his social media content. The acceptance was the long-established cultivation from his family and community. Ryan’s fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, was where he retrieved a vivid sense of Black excellence and discovered his passion for social advocacy.
Family is also another driving force in his life. “I grew up with my Asian side in LA. My Black side lives in Jacksonville (Florida); we visit them often.” Raised by his Chinese grandmother, he still had a cherished bond with his Black grandmother who lives far away from him. These relationships have taught him different expressions of love, both valued and cherished by Ryan.
With a mission to advocate for broad minority representation in Hollywood and encourage self-love, Ryan utilizes social media to highlight the harmony and beauty of multiculturalism.
Amidst movements like Black Lives Matter and Stop Asian Hate, Ryan’s content emphasizes unity, showing that diverse communities can coexist harmoniously.
“I don’t necessarily want to disrupt or change Hollywood. I just want to be myself… I’m not really interested in watering down what I have to say to fit what Hollywood thinks what people want.”
CONNECT WITH RYAN ALEXANDER HOLMES
Instagram: @ryanalexh
Threads: @ryanalexh
Website: ryanalexanderholmes.com