What makes YouTube “YouTube” is the the diversity of voices on the platform. And so to celebrate this diversity YouTube has launched a 100-million-dollar grant.
The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund
Recently, the company launched the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, wherein the company will invest a total of 100 million dollars by 2023, which will directly support 500+ Black creators on their platform. An unknown amount of seed funding will be given to each creator; Am amount they can use as they see fit. In fact, creators will be given complete financial freedom so that they can put it towards their creativity. This can mean anything from hiring editors to buying equipment, as well as any other business-related expenses they may incur. Also, the company plans to create Youtube original content featuring them so as to spread their brand and make them household names.
#YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021
The program kicks off with the #YouTubeBlack Voices Class of 2021, the first class to be a part of this initiative is a group of 132 creators from six different countries, including 21 music artists alongside photographers, lifestyle vloggers, personal trainers, comedians, teachers and more.
“These creators and artists have been doing this work already and are known by their communities, but we’re really excited to invest in them. We believe that they can and will become household names with this support.”
MALIK DUCARD, VP CONTENT PARTNERSHIPS
said during a briefing with reporters on January 8th
Moreover, the diverse hometowns of these creators cannot go unnoticed. With creators from the United States, Kenya, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, and Nigeria, that were selected in part based on their previous participation in #YouTubeBlack, a 2016 campaign promoting Black creators.
Meet The #YouTubeBlackVoices Artist Class of 2021
I’d highly recommend keeping your eyes peeled for the upcoming most influential musicians! With a total of 21 talented musicians in the inaugural class, YouTube celebrates music through this initiative.
You may ask, what about other categories of YouTubers we all know and love, from gamers to storytellers, from lifestyle and beauty to health and fitness? Well, here’s to listing them in no particular order.
Meet The #YouTubeBlackVoices Creator Class of 2021
A diverse group of individuals from the US, UK, and Africa have been chosen up till now. They represent a variety of YouTube channel niches.
Comedy & Sketches
Commentary and Storytelling
Beauty & Lifestyle Creators
Tech Creators
Financial and Entrepreneurial Education Channels
Health and Fitness
Food
Gamers
This Is Just The Start
Eligible for this creators’ fund? There’s good news for you. This is just the start of many other YouTube Classes. Going forward, creators will be selected on the basis of their applications. Although an official way to apply to be a part of the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund is yet to be disclosed, you can expect YouTube to announce it soon.
FEATURED PHOTO CREDIT: BLOG.YOUTUBE.COM
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