Black History Month on TikTok
TikTok has unveiled and implemented its plans for Black History Month. They’ve done so by announcing a list of Black TikTok Trailblazers. The 14 users on the list were nominated by TikTok’s North American community for being advocates, leaders, and entertainers within the Black community and specifically on TikTok.
In addition to the Trailblazers list and spotlights, TikTok has made the hashtag #MakeBlackHistory a featured banner on the Discover page. This allows users to easily access resources about Black History Month. They’ve also laid out their donation plan and provided quick links to resources their users can donate to.
The Trailblazers
TikTok’s goal with the Trailblazers list, in their words, is to “amplify Black voices and celebrate the beauty of Blackness.” Many of the individuals on the list, like @fatraco0n and @veondre, use their platforms to spread information and educate their audiences on specific issues regarding the Black community. Others, like @kentai.haven, who has gained a following by guessing the heights of strangers, use their platforms more for entertainment purposes. Regardless of their content, each individual on the list holds an important position in the TikTok community.
In addition to the Trailblazers list, TikTok is partnering with TheShadeRoom. They will be holding a special LIVE with a different Black Trailblazer each week to discuss Black history, Black beauty and fashion, and Black progression. TikTok LIVE programs like Learn on TikTok and Fashion Month will feature different Black creators throughout February.
TikTok will also be having exclusively Black artists on the TikTok LIVE Music series. It will air throughout the month. The Sounds page will honor Black artists by having special playlists, banners, and featured songs.
Other Initiatives
Along with amplifying Black voices on the platform, TikTok has made more plans for the month. TikTok’s design team came up with new information stickers “to help creators pay homage to Black history, Black creatives, Black pride, and Black magic.” Also, the sticker was designed with inspiration from the Pan-African flag to celebrate Black culture.
TikTok made the sticker accessible post filming in the Sticker section for its users to pin.
Additionally, beyond just efforts on the app, TikTok has detailed their plan to donate $500k to multiple non-profit organizations. The organizations they chose fight for racial equality and provide resources for Black communities. Some of the organizations include Alvin Ailey Foundation, Black AIDS Institute, Operation Hope, Trans Women of Color Collective, and CEE Centre for Young Black Professionals.
They’ve also added on to their Support Black Businesses initiative by launching a brand new Black Business Showcase within the app. This feature will promote and spotlight many different Black-owned businesses throughout the month. TikTok users will be able to shop directly from a wide range of Black-owned businesses with ease.
Make Black History
In a blogpost about Black History Month, TikTok stated, “We’re looking forward to celebrating our Black creators and their experiences and stories this Black History Month and beyond.” With the launch of new features like the Black Business Showcase and the Trailblazers list, it is clear they want to amplify as many voices as possible. There is a possibility for some of these changes, like the Business Showcase, to become permanent staples on the app as certain aspects of it are being reimagined.
Feature image credit: Unsplash
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