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February 23, 2025

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The path to success in content creation is never paved with roses, and no one understands this quite like Ami Desai. From her beginnings in broadcast journalism to becoming a well-known beauty and lifestyle influencer, Ami has shaped her career through authenticity, adaptability, and a strong dedication to representation.

As an Indian-American raised in Los Angeles, Ami grew up as a first-generation South Asian immigrant, a generation that deeply felt the need for greater South Asian representation in the media. After earning her degree from UC Berkeley and a master’s from Boston University, she built a solid media foundation through roles at CNN and Inside Edition. During this time behind the scenes, she discovered her passion for on-camera hosting, eventually landing her dream role as the host of the first digital show for Oprah.com. In 2011, Ami made a pivotal move by hosting a luxury travel show in India, which allowed her to reconnect with her roots and gain international exposure.

Simultaneously, Ami began building her own beauty business with her family. She went on to become one of the first South Asian content creators to collaborate with major brands like Toyota and Pampers on large campaigns, while also highlighting important Indian traditions and holidays such as Diwali. Recognizing the lack of representation for her ethnicity in the media and beauty industries, Ami founded her life’s mission, merging her experiences as a host, makeup artist, and mom to help other women advocate for themselves while balancing various roles. This gap in representation became her motivation to amplify underrepresented voices and promote diversity.

In 2016, Ami took a leap of faith, leaving traditional media behind to forge her own path in the influencer space. Despite pitching herself as a contributor or expert to various outlets, she faced rejection, which drove her to create her own content on social media platforms. Through this experience, she realized that content creation involved more than just posting visually appealing images—it required strategic planning, engagement tracking, and brand pitching. Even as the industry pushed her to narrow her niche, Ami confidently embraced her multifaceted identity, sharing content that reflected her life as a mother, beauty expert, and entrepreneur. This authenticity deeply resonated with her audience, ultimately helping her build a loyal fanbase connecting creators and audiences.

In the latest episode of the Creators Podcast, presented by Asian Hustle Network in collaboration with Meta Prosper, Ami shares a story of resilience, adaptability, and a deep dedication to her community. Whether you’re an aspiring content creator, a beauty lover, or someone who enjoys learning about authentic journeys, this episode is filled with valuable insights and inspiration.

Connect with Ami Desai:

Instagram: @amidesai

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Founder of Penn Asian Senior Services Im Ja Choi Passed Away At 73

A well-known supporter of Asian American seniors and the founder and emeritus CEO of the nonprofit Penn Asian Senior Services, Im Ja Choi,  passed away on Wednesday, June 22, from lung cancer in a South Korean hospital, she was 73. 

A memorial service will be conducted on July 16 at 3:00 pm at the Evergreen Center in Philadelphia. Contributions in her name will be appreciated.

Ms. Choi was born in Seoul, South Korea in 1948, majored in literature, and graduated from Korea University. She moved to Philadelphia after marrying her childhood friend Jung Choi in 1971, where she studied organizational dynamics at the University of Pennsylvania. She was a top-producing real estate agent in the 1980s and 1990s. 

She started Penn Asian Senior Services in 2004 to help Asian American elders with linguistic and cultural obstacles. Because she couldn’t get home care for her mother, and after hearing horrible experiences from other caregivers, she founded the charity that provides in-home care and homemaking services in over two dozen languages.

She undertook the fundraising efforts and strategic planning of the nonprofit, for which the charity received grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and numerous organizations. 

Moreover, she has also opened an adult day care for immigrants with language and cultural barriers, a state-licensed vocational school for entry-level Asian health-care workers, and a seniors community center. 

In 2013, she received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor from the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations. The Independence Blue Cross Foundation president Lorina Marshall-Blake wrote that the region needed more health visionaries like Im Ja Choi. Ken Yang, CEO of Penn Asian Senior Services, said Ms. Choi’s care, generosity, and love for her family and community matched her innovative leadership.

She was also recognized by the governor as a 2014 Distinguished Daughter of Pennsylvania for her “extraordinary service and achievements to the Commonwealth.” In the same year, she gave the commencement address at Penn State Abington where she quoted “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

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