From creating viral trends to promoting Black Joy through music, fashion, wellness and more, the #BlackTikTok community is at the forefront of culture and industry changing innovation. This Black History Month and all year round, we are celebrating #BlackTikTok and amplifying the limitless impact of the Black Creator community.
We’re kicking off our Black History Month 2023 celebrations with the debut of our first ever Visionary Voices list and programming center on the #BlackTikTok app, featuring music playlists, an exciting LIVE lineup, and a special series that will highlight the inspiring diaspora of black voices on our platform.
Meet our visionary voices of #BlackTikTok 2023
Our first-ever Visionary Voices list celebrates 15 black creators who are innovators in their fields using TikTok to educate, entertain, and protect the black community while making a significant impact both on and off the platform. Laureates are awarded in three categories: creators, small businesses, and industry revolutionaries. Read more about these dreamers below:
Creators
- @_itzpsyiconic_ (Houston, TX) – Kelon has created a whole universe (also known as “Terrivers”) of complete chaos on TikTok. Playing his infamous characters Terry Joe, Georgia Peach and Amethyst Jade, Kelon brought smiles to his adoring TikTok LIVE followers every night. Its content is not for the faint of heart, but it’s nothing short of great fun and great laughs.
- @cozy.games (San Francisco, CA) – Kennedy is a creator of games and a lifestyle that focuses on incorporating coziness into all aspects of life. She aims to bring more people into the cozy side of the gaming community with inspiring content and game recommendations.
- @emmanuel.uddenberg (Toronto, Canada) – Emmanuel Uddenberg is a Toronto-based creator who combines his passion for fashion and creativity with videos on TikTok. His taste for minimalism and modern aesthetics, as well as his relaxed demeanor, permeate his entire account, creating a soothing space for those looking for casual style inspiration.
- @kahlilgreene (New York, NY) – Kahlil Green, also known as “Gen Z Historian”, is a digital educator best known for his “Hidden History” series, which dives into the history of American injustice. A graduate of Yale University, where he was the first black college president in its 318-year history, Khalil aims to let young people understand why American society works the way it does by commenting on US politics and culture.
- @xoxoemira (New York, NY) – Emira D’Spain is a fashion and beauty space creator known for her comedic “Get-Ready-with-Me” makeup videos on TikTok. Born in Dubai and raised in Dallas, the transgender model and internet personality has created a platform where she connects with her C*nty Barbies fans, offering beauty and fashion tips and ideas from an authentic perspective. Recently becoming the first black transgender model to work with Victoria’s Secret, Emira wants to continue leading the way for the LGBTQ+ community.
Industry disruptors
- @chikybombomreal (Miami, Florida) – Lisette Eduardo aka Chikybombom is a social media personality, businesswoman and media influencer. Hailing from the Dominican Republic, she is one of the most famous personalities on the internet, with over 10.3 million netizens following her on TikTok.
- @icespicee (New York, NY) – “You thought I felt you?” became popular in all social networks thanks to the rapper and singer from the Bronx Ice Spice. The 23-year-old rising star first asked the question on her viral hit “Munch (Feelin’ U)” and it hasn’t abated ever since. While Ice Spice has steadily risen through the ranks as First Lady of the Bronx Drill, she has so much more in store for her – transcending genres and moving from New York to the rest of the world.
- @keith_lee125 (Las Vegas, Nevada) – Keith Lee is a creator from Las Vegas, Nevada. It uses its platform to highlight small private and family owned restaurants that boast amazing food and customer service but are not well known. He uses his food review format to give his honest opinion while enjoying one of his passions – food.
- @lynaevanee (Atlanta, Georgia) – Line Vani, two-time NAACP Image Award nominee, multi-talented poet, producer, director, and talented actor from Atlanta, Georgia. A graduate of Spelman College and Boston University with an MA in African American Studies, Lainey uses her digital platforms to speak about race, feminism, politics and inclusion.
- @maiyathedon (New York, NY) Maya Don is a hip-hop artist from Brooklyn best known for her big personality and boastful punchlines, whose mission is to make everyone feel as confident as she does. Starting as a makeup artist and beauty creator on TikTok, 20-year-old Maya is rising to stardom with her new single “Telfy,” which pays homage to black-owned fashion brand Telfar.
Small business owners
- @brandonblackwoodnyc (Brooklyn, NY) – Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Brandon Blackwood is the founder, creative director and CEO of the eponymous brand. He is a first-generation American born to Jamaican and Chinese parents and created Brandon Blackwood NYC in 2015, much influenced by his personal life as each bag is named after his family, close friends or places where he lived. . He was also recently nominated for a CFDA Best Accessory Designer Award and has since expanded his company into eyewear, outerwear and footwear.
- @danessamyricksbeauty (Bethpage, New York) – A renowned makeup artist and educator with over 25 years of experience, Danessa Mirik creates innovative multipurpose products that inspire beauty lovers of all skin colors and skill levels to create, customize and explore a world of beauty without boundaries.
- @juicybodygoddess (Charlotte, NC) – Summer Lucille is a Charlotte, North Carolina-based creator and entrepreneur who combines her love of fashion with building women’s confidence through TikTok videos. She reminds people that they are worthy of love and encourages everyone to love their size, tummy and body, regardless of size or weight.
- @spicekitchengrill (Brentwood, MD) — Olumide Shokubi, Founder and Owner of Spice Kitchen West African Grill, a first-generation Nigerian American dedicated to being a building block in the reform, education, and empowerment of Black people around the world. Through creative TikTok videos, General Manager Marcus Bryan aims to celebrate the beauty of black cuisine by sharing a gem of West African street food with the world.
- @urbandessertlab (New York, NY) – Courtney B. and Zahn B.R. are co-founders of Urban Dessert Lab, the world’s first oat milk ice cream shop. With a New York City location and a soon-to-be second location in West Hollywood, California, the duo have captured the attention of fans and nationwide media and celebrities with their plant-based creations, including handmade soft serve, scooped hard ice cream, and brownies. , toppings and mixtures. Zan and Courtney are constantly partnering with organizations that shed light on social justice issues and use TikTok as a place to connect, interact and share mouth-watering content.
#BlackTikTok – App Center
The #BlackTikTok community continues to inspire popular culture by contributing to viral trends across several popular hashtags including #BlackMusic, #BlackGirlMagic and #SupportBlack. This month, our #BlackTikTok app center will feature inspirational stories from black-owned creators and companies, including @aujanessweets, @endpovertymaketrillions, @redbaycoffee, @travelconciergepartners, @hbcualum, @blacktravelbox and more, as well as non-profits, including @ homeboyindustries. and @blackgirlventures.
#BlackMusic – Sounds that move culture
The resurgence of classic R&B records on TikTok proves that great music will always live on and demonstrates how our community is facilitating the search for timeless music. We’re proud to be home to our R&B icons who continue to perfect their craft, and we’re thrilled to welcome R&B legend Mya to the platform.
In February and beyond, we will focus on #BlackMusic, celebrating the impact black musicians have on music and culture. Our sounds page will feature special guests and album playlists, including gospel themed playlists, Black Boy Joy, The Blueprint, RapGirlies and Newcomers. We’ll also have a smooth mix of #slowjams on SiriusXM for Valentine’s Day and a week-long #womeninhiphop celebration with a five RapGirlies billboard in Toronto to round out the month.
#BlackTikTok LIVE: Black History Month Live Series
On Friday, February 24, we have an exciting lineup of themed LIVEs featuring inspiring black chefs, artists, musicians and more. Co-hosted by @tiktoklive_us and @BlackTikTok, this 6-hour live stream focuses on black culture, creators, and the endless gift of black talent on our platform. Tune in @tik tok and @tiktoklive_us to enjoy our live programming.
Celebrating #BlackTikTok in real life
Throughout February we will be hosting a series of real life moments to celebrate our #BlackTikTok community. We’re about to host the third installment of our Visionary Voices salon series, dedicated to culture changers in media and entertainment, and we’ll also be celebrating our community of creators with Black History Month in Los Angeles.
Recognition of the black shine of the internal TikTok community
Throughout the year, our Employee Resource Group (ERG) BLXCK celebrates the endless impact of our black employee community. As part of our company-wide celebration of Black History Month, our internal employee resource team BLXCK will highlight the inspiring stories of our employees through inclusive initiatives that empower, educate, and unite Black excellence on TikTok.
@BlackTikTok – follow the community
We are committed to honoring and celebrating the excellence of #BlackTikTok this month and throughout the year. Be sure to follow @BlackTikTok, @TikTokCreators and @TikTok to stay up to date with our Black History Month programs and the #BlackTikTok community.
