NextDayBetter is a trusted storytelling platform and agency that exist to create a more accepting world for immigrants everywhere.
A Filipino diaspora member born in Kuwait, raised in the Bronx, New York. Serial entrepreneur, Fulbright Fellow, Google Next Gen Leader, and Posse Foundation Scholar.
Content strategist and editorial director based in Manila, Philippines, working with startups, social enterprises, and creative ventures. A communications and creative consultant for purpose-driven brands.
First-generation Korean American. Born in Seoul, raised in San Francisco, and currently residing in New York City. An impact-focused marketer, brand strategist, and storyteller with 15+ years of B2C/B2B marketing and brand partnerships experience in the media and content space.
Tells stories through the moving image, drawing from years of experience in commercial video production. Illustrator, motion designer, film director, and musician.
Born in Singapore and raised in Minnesota, Ben is a social media manager, performing musician, and artist manager based in NYC. He is a firm believer that through partnerships and alignment, communities, and businesses can work hand in hand to better the future.
A production manager based in Manila with over 4 years experience in television and digital programs, mainly focusing on lifestyle, sustainability, sports, and purpose. She always puts a record on while cooking.
“Stories for Change makes the census personal. People want to know the real, tangible ways census participation improves their everyday lives. They want to hear from people in their community who understand their experiences. NextDayBetter knows how to take a singular story and reflect a community’s collective experience. We’re so grateful to each person who generously allowed us to help share their story. Authentic storytelling is a powerful organizing tool. When people see themselves in the census, when they understand the future they could build with more resources and more political power, they get counted.”
“We live in an increasingly migrant world. It is a force with innovations in technology and our ability to travel around the world and as borders and physical and digital borders come down, that means there will be more migrants. That is the story of humanity. If brands accept the fact that these individuals could provide economic value and customer base, that will be better for their businesses in the long run and that’s why they work with us. They don’t work with us because it’s just a corporate social responsibility play or it’s the right thing to do, but it makes business sense. Absolutely. The fact that brands can see that, the better position they will be in the world.”
There was a market opportunity based on the size of the migrant community (244 million!), the dearth of a PR solution and corporate interest in finding a solution (NextDayBetter clients include AARP, Mailchimp, and Doctors Without Borders). Combining mission and market need, Letada has worked with brands to launch campaigns that engage multicultural, immigrant communities. Together, they have told migrant stories related to veterans’ caregiving, LGBT rights, inclusive entrepreneurship, shame-free sex education, affordable healthcare, and more.
“This pandemic has disrupted initiatives like the census that ensure communities of color across the country are counted,” says Ryan Letada, CEO and founder of NextDayBetter.
“In 2020, the next decennial Census will go online,” said Jorge Fontanez, the head of partnerships at NextDayBetter. “We know that historically communities of color have been undercounted, and SCOTUS will soon rule on the inclusion of the Citizenship Question.”
“This partnership started because it’s time that we make our invisible stories visible as s next-generation Filipinos,” Letada added. “My parents once said to me ‘You’re Filipino. You’re not American.’ What does that mean? Our series asks who are we becoming? From LGBT activists to Filipinos migrants teaching rural Americans, we need to own our stories.”
Our research showed that many Americans believe that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the military is a recent phenomenon—a dangerous perception that prevents many Americans from adequately recognizing the valor of AAPI veterans and advocating for their unique caregiving needs.
We collaborated with high-ranking AAPI veterans including Dr. Ravi Chaudhary, Major General Tony Taguba, and Lt. Col. Lan Dalat in the design, production and distribution of the digital campaign. Together, we designed digital stories that highlighted trailblazing AAPIs in service at every turn: at the War of 1812, during the Civil War, in both World Wars, and in current day conflicts. From Chinese American WWII women Air Force veteran pilots to Vietnamese Refugees, we made sure to be inclusive of AAPI’s rich and diverse contributions towards progress in America.
“Taking on the Census and the checkbox specifically has meant reclaiming it as a symbol of empowerment and change,” says Jorge Fontanez, Head of Partnerships of NextDayBetter, at The U.S. Census Bureau’s Opportunity Project Demo Day.
“As an immigrant myself, I felt that it was really important for us to tell our own stories. That’s why I founded NextDayBetter,” shares Ryan Letada in a special video feature by Wheaton College Massachusetts.
“It is actually easy to find these world-changing people from our community that are leading the way in tech, in creativity, in different industries and we are contributing more, not just for the Philippines but for the entire world,” Ryan Letada, founder of Next Day Better, said.
