Source: TikTok
For Black History Month and throughout the year, TikTok is spotlighting the #BlackTikTok community that continues to elevate Black creativity and drive industry-shifting influence that everyone wants to emulate.
From making waves across industries to advocating for Black voices, TikTok is highlighting the brilliance and culture-defining impact of its Black creator community with the #BlackTikTok Visionary Voices list.
Included in that list are several familiar faces who range from Black business owners like Olamide Olowe of Topicals, to creators like Nyane and industry disruptors like Victoria Monét and Coco Jones.
TikTok reports that they’ll also have in-person events and in-app initiatives ranging from the app’s first-ever#ShopBlack program, in-app Livestream events, #BlackMusic playlists, a Los Angeles Visionary Voices Black Hollywood Brunch, and the announcement of its #BlackTikTok creator grant program in partnership with Black Girl Ventures.
Last year, TikTok announced an investment of $1M to support the work of Black Girl Ventures to increase access to financial and social capital for Black and Brown entrepreneurs. To continue its investment within the Black community, TikTok and BGV have launched the Innovate Together Grant Program, empowering small business owners, entrepreneurs, and content creators in the beauty, lifestyle, and consumer sectors on their journey to success.
Recipients will have access to a grant pool of $50,000, as well as be paired with standout creators to help elevate and refine their business’s social strategy, helping entrepreneurs craft captivating content that resonates with target audiences. The Innovate Together Grant Program is open to business owners in the United States, and applications will open on January 30th.
Source: TikTok / TikTok
Meet The 2024 #BlackTikTok Visionary Voices
To celebrate the #BlackTikTok community and Black History Month, we’re unveiling our 2024 #BlackTikTok Visionary Voices List, which honors visionary Black voices, creatives, business owners, and industry disruptors who are making a positive impact on TikTok and beyond, as they use their industry-shifting creativity to celebrate, honor and shape Black culture and history. This year’s honorees are forging new paths in entertainment, beauty, education, health, fashion, food, music and more.
Source: TikTok / TikTok
Creators
@aliyahsinterlude (New York, NY) – Aliyah’s Interlude is an artist based in New York who combines her love for music and fashion to make content that has garnered her love from all parts of the world. Her eclectic style, which she has coined “Aliyahcore,” has sparked trendsetting fashion influence on TikTok and beyond. Her hit single “IT GIRL” was released last year, and she plans to release even more music in the future.
@accessbytay (Toronto, Canada) – Taylor Lindsay-Noel is an entrepreneur and creator from Toronto, Canada who uses her platform to inspire change. After a gymnastics accident left her paralyzed from the chest down, Taylor persevered, using her TikTok platform to help educate others on disability and accessibility awareness, all while breaking down stereotypes and advocating for change.
@misswondroussoul (Toronto, Canada) – Ms. Hassan is a creator from Toronto, Canada who combines her passion for teaching and fashion through her authentic teacher outfit videos. With her creative flair and dedication to education, she uses her platform to inspire fellow educators and students alike, demonstrating the power of self-expression through fashion in the classroom. Through her videos, she brings a unique blend of style and pedagogy, making learning a truly engaging experience for all.
@nyane (Amsterdam, Netherlands) – Nyane is a content creator and entrepreneur whose eye for fashion and beauty has built an international audience devoted to her original style and keen eye. Through TikTok video series like “Let’s Do My Makeup,” she has popularized an NPC-style beauty format that has taken the beauty community by storm. In addition to producing premium, luxe content, Nyane aims to empower all skin, hair and body types, letting her fans know that beauty and inspiration can always be found within.
@onestopchop (Stafford, VA) – Daven Gates is a home cook originally from Queens, New York who expresses his love of food and entertainment through his videos on TikTok. He is an Army Vet who uses his platform to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to use cooking as an outlet, utilizing soothing voiceovers to share tutorials and “Back to the Basics” recipes.
Industry Disruptors
Source: TikTok / TikTok
@victoriamonet (Los Angeles, CA) – Victoria Monét is a GRAMMY-nominated multi-hyphenate creator from Sacramento, CA who shares her artistry, adventures in motherhood, and creative process on TikTok. Incorporating her talents as a triple threat, Victoria uses her platform to share stories, encourage fans, and bring people into her world. Notably, her hit single On My Mama inspired the viral #onmymamachallenge, which has more than 30 million views on TikTok.
@cocojones (Nashville, TN) – Coco Jones is a GRAMMY-nominated artist from Lebanon, TN, who combines her love for singing, acting, & fashion through videos on TikTok. Using her soulful voice as an R&B singer, she gives her fans a peek inside her world.
@doctor.darien (New York, NY) – Dr. Darien Sutton is a board-certified emergency medicine physician born and raised in New York City. A graduate of NYU School of Medicine, he is also a dual degree graduate of NYU Stern School of Business where he simultaneously obtained his Masters of Business Administration. Aside from his clinical practice, Dr. Darien has special interests in public health education through digital media, with vested personal interests in the intersection of racial inequities and healthcare disparities.
@igobylu (Los Angeles, CA) – LU KALA is an artist who is destined to break the mold. With a gift for writing striking pop tracks, the fiery voiced songstress — with signature vibrant orange hair to match — is redefining what a pop star sounds and looks like. LU KALA has amassed over 95 million streams, and her recent single “Hotter Now” charted in the top 10 for Top 40 airplay in Canada its first week out.
@jordan_the_stallion8 (San Diego, CA) – Jordan Howlett, widely known as ‘Jordan The Stallion,’ is a celebrated content creator with a global fan base exceeding 23 million. His dynamic presence on TikTok has earned him over 12 million followers and over 2.6 billion views, thanks to his innovative content and signature single-zoom-in technique. Founder of The Fast Food Secrets Club ®, Jordan combines candid storytelling with insider industry insights, resonating deeply with his audience.
Small-Owned Businesses
Source: TikTok / TikTok
@lorvaeeyewear (Atlanta, GA) – In 2022, business partners De’arra Taylor and Tara Jones co-founded Lorvae Eyewear, an idealization of De’arra’s passion for sunglasses. De’arra, with a distinctive personality, style, and love for fashion, is the epitome of a young, ambitious, and inspirational leader. Tara is distinguished by her passion for business, her commitment, and her clarity of vision to carry brands through rapid and continuous growth. Together, they are determined to make Lorvae a household luxury brand for all.
@pochigoods (Los Angeles, CA) – Trenton Williams is an Industrial Designer from Los Angeles, CA who has spent over a decade working for some of the top footwear brands in the industry. While in college, Trent had an idea to create what he coined, “a modern-day fanny pack,” and founded Pochi Goods. He now uses his TikTok platform to show his process — from concept to creation, to launch.
@realmcandles.ca (Toronto, Ontario, CA) – Danielle Johnson discovered her passion for candle making during the pandemic and channeled that passion into founding Realm Candles, an online store selling handmade vegan candles. As creative director, she also produces relaxing ASMR TikTok videos showcasing the process of candle making and packing orders.
@theskincarebakery (Harrisburg, PA) – Kymani Ashanti is a 24-year-old Black business owner of The Skincare Bakery, revolutionizing the skincare industry with mouth-watering, dessert-inspired skincare goodies. Alongside her boyfriend Logan, Kymani hand-makes and hand-pipes luxurious creations, showcasing her products to an audience of over one million on TikTok.
@topicals (New York, NY) – Olamide Olowe, a Forbes 30 under 30 inducted entrepreneur and investor, serves as the Founder and CEO of Topicals. Olamide got her start as an entrepreneur in 2015 when she co-founded the beauty brand SheaGIRL, in partnership with SheaMoisture later acquired by Unilever in 2017. In 2020, Olamide combined her passion for creativity and love for business to launch Topicals, which is currently the fastest-growing skincare company at Sephora and responsible for over $100k in donations to various mental health organizations.
For more info on TikTok’s Visionary Voices click HERE.
Source: TikTok / TikTok