TikTok is hosting a month of creator-focused events in honor of Black History Month
TikTok‘s seasonal, identity-led programming is kicking off in 2024 with another app-wide effort to honor Black History Month, including a brand new list of who-to-follow TikTok Visionary Voices, ongoing account spotlights, and various ways to support Black creatives on and off the app.
Building on previous events for Black History Month, AAPI Heritage Month, Latin Heritage Month, and Pride, TikTok’s 2024 celebration includes a new Innovate Together Grant Program, a partnership with capital-raising nonprofit Black Girl Ventures. The company will offer $ 50,000 to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and content creators in the beauty, lifestyle, and consumer sectors, TikTok explains, and applications open Feb. 15.
In-app programming will include homepage spotlights of Black-owned businesses, including Topicals, Pat McGrath, Natural Girl Wigs, and Sorella, and nonprofit organizations Black Girls Code, Raise Fashion, and Black Girl Ventures.
The celebration also includes the app’s first #ShopBlack program — hinting at the platform’s growing emphasis on e-commerce (read: TikTok Shop) opportunities. #ShopBlack will spotlight Black-owned businesses and Black creators who are generating profit from the TikTok Shop Affiliate program.
Those selected for the app’s Visionary Voices list will have their name and image displayed around the country IRL as well, with TikTok’s partnership with Screenvision Media (part of the platform’s “Out of Phone” branding opportunities) putting honorees in ads appearing in 1,500 movie theaters nationwide.
Last year, TikTok launched the #BlackTikTok campaign, its first-ever Black Visionary Voices creator list, and a series of spotlights for growing Black-owned businesses and creatives, all in an effort to give creative and cultural credit to the community behind most (if not all) of the internet’s favorite memes, trends, dances, and music.
Black creators on the app “use their industry-shifting creativity to celebrate, honor, and shape Black culture and history,” TikTok writes of this year’s Black History Month celebration. “This year’s honorees are forging new paths in entertainment, beauty, education, health, fashion, food, music, and more.”
Check out the full list of TikTok honorees below:
Creators
Aliyah’s Interlude (@aliyahsinterlude), a New York-based artist originally known for her viral fashion content and now her hit single, “IT GIRL.“
Taylor Lindsay-Noel (@accessbytay), a Canadian entrepreneur and creator who uses her TikTok platform to educate others on disability and accessibility awareness.
Ms. Hassan (@misswondroussoul), a Canadian teacher who combines fashion with educational awareness and pedagogy.
Nyane (@nyane), a Netherlands-based content creator and entrepreneur who popularized “NPC-style” makeup content aimed at diversifying and empowering TikTok’s beauty community.
Daven Gates (@onestopchop), a Virginia-based home cook originally from Queens, New York, who uses his TikTok to share informative recipes and discuss veterans’ mental health.
Industry disruptors
Victoria Monét (@victoriamonet), a Grammy-nominated artist and creator who documents her life and career on TikTok and is known for her “On My Mama” TikTok challenge.
Coco Jones (@cocojones), a Grammy-nominated R&B singer who shares singing, acting, and fashion content on her TikTok page.
Dr. Darien Sutton (@doctor.darien), a New York-based emergency medicine physician who is addressing public health education and racial health inequality through his TikTok videos.
LU KALA (@igobylu), a songwriter and experimental pop artist known for the single “Hotter Now,” which charted in the top 10 for Top 40 airplay in Canada its first week out.
Jordan Howlett (@jordan_the_stallion8), a viral content creator and founder of The Fast Food Secrets Club®, known for his stylized food content.
Small-owned businesses
Lorvae Eyewear (@lorvaeeyewear), a luxury sunglasses brand founded by partners De’arra Taylor and Tara Jones.
Pochi Goods (@pochigoods), founded by industrial designer Trenton Williams and known for the brand’s “modern-day fanny pack.”
Realm Candles (@realmcandles.ca), a Canada-based vegan candle brand created by Danielle Johnson.
The Skincare Bakery (@theskincarebakery), a dessert-inspired skincare brand created by 24-year-old Kymani Ashanti.
Topicals (@topicals), a new Sephora favorite skincare brand founded by Olamide Olowe. The brand donates a portion of its profit to mental health organizations.
