SA content creators to receive a share of YouTube’s $100 million fund

YouTube has announced its inaugural class of African content creators who are set to receive a grant for the development of their channels from the global #YouTubeBlackVoices Fund.

Eight South Africans are among the 20 selected Africans who will get their share of the $100 million fund, which offers support to black artists and content creators over the next three years, to enable them to promote their work on YouTube.

The initiative is one of several projects introduced by the video-streaming platform to support the global black community, those affected by the impact of COVID-19, and to benefit various charity organisations.

In addition to the grant earmarked for content development, the 20 YouTubers will also take part in an intensive three-week incubator programme followed by bespoke training, workshops and networking programmes.

The African creators are part of 132 creators from across the world who are participating in the Class of 2021.

“We’re excited to spotlight black creatives from the African continent and amplify their voices as they create original content on our platform,” says Alex Okosi of MD, emerging markets at YouTube EMEA.

“African creators on YouTube are reshaping the power of our platform by providing a unique perspective on all manner of topics from fashion and comedy to politics, learning and wellness. Through their content, these creators continue to raise the bar for how others engage with their audiences and build community on our platform,” Okosi concludes.

This announcement comes after the October 2020 call for African creators to apply for #YouTubeBlackVoices funding as part of YouTube’s global, multi-year commitment aimed at nurturing black creators and artists on YouTube.

Over the next few years, YouTube says it plans to invest directly in more than 500 creators and artists from across the world in order to fulfil this commitment.

Africa’s list of the #YouTubeBlackVoices Creator Class of 2021

Name                                       YouTube Channel       Country