YouTube, online global streaming site has announced its expansion efforts to support creators and the creative economy in Africa with $20,000 and $50,000 respectively through the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices creators and artist cohorts.
This, according to the Vanguard, was made known in a statement made on Tuesday by Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA. The YouTube official said the initiative from YouTube was a follow-up to a global, multi-year commitment made in 2020.
Mr Okosi stated that the grant was intended to uplift and grow Black creators, artists, songwriters, and producers on the platform, also adding that participant joining in this year’s cohort would go beyond the initial training to measure success with them over a long-term period. According to him, YouTube is seriously interested in the growth of the creative community in Africa.
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The MD of YouTube EMEA disclosed this: 40 creators from Sub-Saharan Africa would be part of the 135 #YouTubeBlack Voices Creators selected globally, and among the 23 #YouTubeBlack Voices Artists selected for the programme were African fast-rising musical artists, Gyakie from Ghana, Kamo Mphela from South Africa, Asake from Nigeria and BNXN from Nigeria. He said, “grantees will receive $20,000 and $50,000 in seed funding.”
”We are excited about the creators, musical artists and producers from Africa joining others from across the world in the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.
‘’The initiative is dedicated to equipping up-and-coming Black creators and artists with the resources to succeed on our platform,” he said.
It was further stated that the artists, songwriters, and producers joining the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2023 would be required to set goals, develop content strategy, and engage with their fans on YouTube, with the assistance of a YouTube partner manager. Mr. Okosi also stated there will be networking opportunities with other artists, songwriters, and producers included in the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.
According to Mr. Kosi, over the next few years, YouTube would be directly investing in more than 500 creators and artists from across the world. He said: “It is to support, grow, and fund their channels and content development through the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund”.