TikTok honors Black History Month with #BlackTikTok hub and Visionary Voices list

If you haven’t already followed, shared, or celebrated hundreds of black creators posting viral TikTok content, I can only say one thing. But don’t worry. TikTok gives your algorithm a little help. The app just released its first-ever Black Visionary Voice List earlier this month, honoring his hub of more than a dozen creators in beauty, fashion, music, entertainment, education and more, along with special #BlackTikTok content. I’m here. Time to add to that next list.

The honor is part of a larger #BlackTikTok campaign launched by the company to mark Black History Month, which begins February 1st. TikTok LIVE broadcast with black artists, and honored users. The month also includes in-person programming with creators in Los Angeles.

One of the already scheduled events is a six-hour TikTok LIVE stream set for February 24, featuring black chefs, artists and musicians.Users can follow the official @BlackTikTok(opens in new window) Learn about ongoing updates to this month’s program.

An app’s Visionary Voices list is especially important to the visibility of Black creators in the app. Black creators have historically been discredited as originators of viral sounds, dances, and trends across apps. The lack of awareness has even led to a group of creators boycotting the app. This is a modern, social media-based iteration of the pervasive problem of sociocultural institutions belittling the contributions of the Black community. In response to mounting criticism over the past few years, other social media apps have introduced new systems for rating Black creators.Still, many black creators continue to struggle(opens in new window) Equal amounts of interactions, views and payments(opens in new window) For the same content created by white creators.

The cohort of 15 winners, grouped into three categories: Creators, Industry Disruptors and Small Business Owners, represent just how far-reaching the impact #BlackTikTok truly has.Standout TikTok successes include music artist and TikTok sound pioneer Ice Spice(opens in new window)and comedy powerhouse Terry Joe(opens in new window)created by comedian Kelon.(opens in new window)

Learn more about our honored creators below.

content creator

Kelon, comedian (@_itzpsychonic_)(opens in new window)

Kennedy, gaming and lifestyle influencer (@cozy.games(opens in new window))

Emmanuel Uddenberg, fashion and lifestyle influencer (@emmanuel.uddenberg)(opens in new window)

Kahlil Greene, Digital Educator (@kahlilgreene)(opens in new window)

Emira D’Spain, fashion and beauty influencer (@xoxoemira)(opens in new window)

industry disruptor

Lisette Eduardo, businesswoman, media influencer (@chikybomreal)(opens in new window)

Ice Spice, rapper, singer (@icespicee)(opens in new window)

Keith Lee, food critic (@keith_lee125(opens in new window)

Lynae Vanee, Poet, Producer, Director (@lynaevanee)(opens in new window)

Maiya the Don, hip-hop artist (@maiyathedon)(opens in new window)

small business owner

Brandon Blackwood, Founder and CEO of Brandon Blackwood(opens in new window) (@brandonblackwoodnyc)(opens in new window)

Danessa Myricks, Makeup Artist, Founder of Danessa Myricks Beauty(opens in new window) (@danessamyricksbeauty)(opens in new window)

Summer Lucille, creator and entrepreneur (@juicybodygoddess)(opens in new window)

Olmide Shokubi (@spicekitchengrill), founder and owner of Spice Kitchen(opens in new window)

Courtney B. and Zan BR, co-founders of Urban Dessert Lab(opens in new window) (@urbanessertlab)(opens in new window)