YouTube has reiterated its commitment to elevate Black voices in Africa by hosting a two-day event in Nairobi, Kenya to honor the 2023 #YouTubeBlackVoicesFund grantees and provide them with opportunities to meet, network, and collaborate with other producers.
Over 100 Black producers from all over the world attended the celebrations in Kenya, which also highlighted the impact of the YouTube Black Voices Fund since its inception. The program, which was launched in 2020 with the goal of investing in talent and presenting new storylines that highlight the intellectual force and authenticity of Black voices, has assisted over 500 producers and artists in growing their channels and audiences.
The #YouTubeBlackVoices Fund has provided a forum for both celebrating and cultivating Black talent around the world, and it is part of the platform’s commitment to helping Africa’s creative ecosystem. YouTube is critical to the discovery and growth of African culture, and the fund goes a step further by providing resources to up-and-coming Black entrepreneurs, musicians, songwriters, and producers.
“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 own voices, with the world. The fund has, in many ways, 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 that I used to share with my sister, to getting 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 a whole lot of 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 percent year on year . In Nigeria, the percentage of YouTube channels making 100k or more in revenue (NGN) increased by over 15 percent, year on year; while in Kenya, the number of YouTube channels making 100k or more in revenue (KES) has increased by over 25 percent.
In addition, in Nigeria, over 45 channels have more than 1 million subscribers, an increase of more than 50 percent, year on year. In South Africa, 25 channels reached the 1 million subscriber mark , an increase of over 30 percent, year on year, while in Kenya, over 14 channels have more than 1 million subscribers, an increase of more than 110 percent.
Beyond the Black Voices Fund, YouTube is committed to continuing to prioritise and centre 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.
