Twenty six content creators from Africa have been selected to join a global cohort of 135 from around the world for the YouTube Black Voices Fund initiative.
Now in its second year, the fund is dedicated to Black creators from around the world telling unique and authentic stories. Although their backgrounds are diverse, their stories reflect a desire to positively impact their communities.
A flagship initiative of YouTube, the program welcomed 133 grantees from Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and United States in its inaugural year, 2020.
In order to meet its objectives of raising unique Black voices, it will invest directly in over 500 innovators and artists globally
For this year, 26 creators were selected from Africa. They include Nigeria’s Fisayo Fosudo and Adaeze Jidonwo.
Fosudo, who has a background in economics and communication, uses his channel, under his name, to analyse trends and developments in the technology space while showing his viewers how they can benefit from these trends.
“This group of creators is making content that starts important conversations about issues we face in society, which really resonate with their audience. We are inspired by them and hope that the skills they learn from being part of this programme will help them touch more lives than they’d ever imagined,” said Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, Alex Okosi.
Kenyan creator and host of the popular online series Justus Nandwa, who anchors ‘Shared Moments with Justus’ is also among the grantees. His channel puts a human face to issues faced by ordinary African men and women by telling inspiring and life-changing stories that encourage his audience to make the best out of life.
Each of the 26 African YouTubers selected will receive seed funding alongside dedicated support to help them develop their channels. They will also take part in bespoke and hands-on training.