Online video-sharing platform Youtube, has released its inaugural class of African content creators set to receive a grant to develop their channels from the global #YouTubeBlackVoices Fund.
Introducing… the #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021! 🎉 This is a multi-year effort to uplift and grow Black creators who exemplify the boundless creativity of #YouTubeBlack. Say hello! 👋🏿👋🏽👋🏻👋🏾👋🏼 → https://t.co/kkJDY84jO1 pic.twitter.com/MtBYyZU8oF
— YouTube (@YouTube) January 12, 2021
The 2021 #YouTubeBlack Voices creators come from seven countries, the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria.
African artistes, Fireboy DML, Sauti Sol and Sho Madjozi have been selected as part of 23 artists to join the #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021.
The will be join by others selected from the United States, Brazil, and Australia, whose music spans generations, and locations.
In a statement to the public, YouTube’s Managing Director of emerging markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Alex Okosi affirmed the support to the 23 YouTubers to grow their channels.
“we are excited to spotlight Black creatives from the African continent and amplify their voices as they create original content on our platform.”
“Over the next few years, YouTube plans to invest directly in more than 500 creators and artists from across the world in order to fulfill this commitment.
“African creators on YouTube are reshaping the power of our platform by providing a unique perspective on all manner of topics from fashion and comedy to politics, learning and wellness.
“Through their content, these creators continue to raise the bar for how others engage with their audiences and build community on our platform,” Okosi added.
The #YouTubeBlackVoices Creator Class of 2021from Nigeria are; Fireboy DML; Akah Bants with the YouTube Channel Akah Bants; Dimma Umeh of Dimma Umeh; Eric Okafor of Eric Okafor channel on YouTube; Winnie Emmanuel of Zeelicious Foods; Mitchelle Adagala of Mitchelle Agadala; Lade Owolabi of Lade Owolabi; Tomike Adeoye with Tomike Adeoye; Oscar Frank of Oscarmini and Dodos Uvieghara Iamdodos90.
From South Africa are Nicolette Mashile of Financial Bunny; Kay Ngonyama of Kay Yarms; Lasizwe Dambuza of Lasizwe Dambuza and MacG of MacG Ofentse and Nelisiwe Mwase of Ofentse Mwase Films; Owamie Hlongwane of Owamie Hlongwane; Sho Madjozi of Sho Madjozi; Thato Rampedi of Thato Rampedi and Naledi Monamodi Toast with Naledi.
And in Kenya are; Kaluhi Adagala of Kaluhi’s Kitchen, Patricia Kihoro of Patricia Kihoro, Sauti Sol, Mumo of Mumo.
