YouTube yesterday announced that artists and creators from South Africa can apply for grants from its Black Voices Fund. The global $100m fund will, over the next three years, offer support to Black artists and creators so that they can thrive on YouTube.
Interested artists and creators can apply for funding here.
The Black Voices Fund, says Alex Okosi, MD, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, will invest with the intention to “present fresh narratives that emphasise the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of Black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice”.
The $100m fund was first announced in June. It has since been officially named the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.
This year, says Okosi, the fund will be focusing its efforts on creators within the US, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. “Our goal is to expand funding to more countries over the course of the next three years,” he adds. “Additionally, we hope to provide a consistent drumbeat of educational training, workshops, and community events to Black creators and artists globally.”
The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund is dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black creators and artists to help emphasize the intellectual power, dignity and joy of Black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice.
“Along with our commitment to amplify marginalised voices on the content side, we are also investing in product and policy changes that will continue to advance YouTube’s mission of giving everyone a voice and showing them the world,” Okosi adds.
