As part of the Rams' celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage this month, the organization wants to inspire Angelenos through stories of AANHPI staff changing the game on and off the field.
We begin this year's series with Coordinator of Game Presentation & Production Eashan Arun.
Eashan Arun is a first-generation American coming from an Indian and Persian background and has been exposed to both cultures since birth. Indian music was a big part of his upbringing in a family of singers.
"My culture is one rooted in strong family ties, respect for elders, hospitality, and spirituality," Arun said. "Throughout my lifetime, I look to carry on the values rooted in South Asian culture that my parents taught me. These values have had a huge impact in how I carry myself in my day-to-day life, ultimately making me the man I am today."
With the Rams, Arun and his team are responsible for producing, organizing and presenting all elements of the Rams' home games, including video content on the Infinity Screen, TV breaks and halftime performances. Arun focuses on producing video content, sponsored signage and the ideation of in-game moments and entertainment.
"We create the show behind the game," Arun said.
The best part of Arun's job is "the creative liberty and individuality that comes with it," he said. One of his favorite projects involved creating a video to honor the 1999 Super Bowl Champions that played in the stadium, with many members of the team in attendance. It was "different from any other individual creating the same project, which makes my work feel even more fulfilling," he said.
He's motivated by a desire to grow his creativity personally and for the team.
"Working in the creative sphere means there is no limit to the things you can create and ideas you can bring to life, and I want to take as much advantage of that as possible," Arun said. "Ultimately, I want to look back on my career and admire the skills I've refined, the ideas in my head I was able to bring to life, the amazing people I've met, and the legacy I've left."
As May is AANHPI Heritage Month, Arun said everyone should be exploring all that AAPI culture has to offer, including its food, clothing, music, celebrations and education.
"There is so much to AANHPI culture that can be easily accessed and amplified here in Los Angeles," Arun said.
"I think we can all be better allies for the AANHPI community through greater overall cultural awareness and exposure to AANHPI culture. Whether it's celebrating AANHPI holidays and traditions, visiting cultural centers, or even traveling to AANHPI countries, I think exposure to the culture and overall lifestyle of people is the best form of cultural education, and with that education and understanding comes the ability for one to be a better ally."
