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Today, YouTube reaffirmed its commitment to amplifying Black voices in Africa with a two-day event in Nairobi, Kenya, to celebrate the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund grantees and allow them to connect, network, and collaborate with other creators.
Over 100 Black creators worldwide participated in the Kenya celebrations, highlighting the impact of the YouTube Black Voices Fund since its launch. Created in 2020 to invest in talent and present fresh narratives that emphasise Black voices’ intellectual power and authenticity, the programme has helped over 500 creators and artists grow their channels and audiences.
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The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund has been an opportunity to celebrate and cultivate Black artistry worldwide, forming part of the platform’s commitment to supporting Africa’s creative ecosystem. YouTube plays an essential role in discovering and developing African culture, and the fund takes this a step further by equipping up-and-coming Black creators, artists, songwriters and producers with the resources to succeed on its platform.
“When we announced the $100 million fund to amplify Black and African voices and perspectives on our platform, we wanted to create a space where Black people can share their own stories, in their voices, with the world. In many ways, the fund has created opportunities to amplify, celebrate and cultivate Black artistry for a global audience, ”
Says YouTube Managing Director of Emerging Markets, EMEA, Alex Okosi.
“Being a part of the BVF programme Class of 2023 has literally changed my life. I moved from creating content in a room I used to share with my sister to get my own space. I was also able to get better filming equipment like ring lights and tripods, I needed to increase the quality of my videos,”
Says Nigerian creator Osereme Egbor of Styleby Reme.
In addition to funding, creators also received one-on-one mentorship and classes on how to grow their revenue.
Kenyan creator Wongel Zelalem said the classes were very helpful, adding,
“I was given a strategic manager who was dedicated to helping me and giving me solutions to my problems. That was something that I didn’t know I needed in my life”.
South African creator Thato Rampedi says,
“YouTube Black has taught me many things about how to be a really good creator”.
The growth of these creator channels has been tangible on the continent. YouTube data as of December 2022 shows that in South Africa, the number of YouTube channels making 100k or more in revenue (ZAR) has increased by over 30 per cent year on year. In Nigeria, the percentage of YouTube channels making 100k or more in revenue (NGN) increased by over 15 per cent, year on year, while in Kenya, the number of YouTube channels making 100k or more in revenue (KES) has increased by over 25 per cent.
In addition, over 45 channels in Nigeria have more than 1 million subscribers, an increase of more than 50 per cent yearly. In South Africa, 25 channels reached the 1 million subscriber mark, an increase of over 30 per cent yearly, while in Kenya, over 14 channels have more than 1 million subscribers, an increase of more than 110 per cent.
Beyond the Black Voices Fund, YouTube is committed to prioritising and centring Black creators, artists and content through programs, initiatives and improvements to the platform.
“We’re committed to ensuring that Black creators from Africa and around the world find a home on YouTube, and we are investing in strategic partnerships with culturally relevant organisations to ensure that we are able to reach and help even more creators and artists,” Okosi says.
