YouTube has announced the expansion of efforts to support creators and the creative economy in Africa through the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices creators and artist cohorts.
Youtube has selected Nigerian popular musicians Asake and BNXN among the beneficiaries for its 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices creators and artist cohorts.
Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube
EMEA, said in a statement on Tuesday that the initiative from YouTube was a
follow-up to a global, multi-year commitment made in 2020.
Through the initiative YouTube will support creators and the
creative economy in Africa with $20000 and $50000 respectively through the 2023
#YouTubeBlack Voices creators and artist cohorts.
Okosi said that the grant was intended to uplift and grow
Black creators, artists, songwriters, and producers on the platform.
According to him, YouTube is seriously interested in the
growth of the creative community in Africa.
He said that for the creators, artists, songwriters and
producers that would be joining this third cohort, it would go beyond the
initial training to measure success with them over a long-term period.
Okosi also stated that it would ensure that the creators
achieved sustained success.
He said that 40 creators from Sub-Saharan Africa would be
part of the 135 #YouTubeBlack Voices Creators selected globally that enrolled
into the cohort.
He said that 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,‘’As support from YouTube, grantees will receive
$20,000 and $50,000 as seed funding.”
Okosi said that they would receive dedicated partner support
for six months and have the opportunity to participate in programmes including
bespoke training, workshops and networking programmes spread out across the
year.
”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
According to him, the cohort will also include Hip Hop
producer MashBeatz from South Africa and Nairobi-based producer Ukweli, who
will be joining 17 #YouTubeBlack Voices Songwriters and Producers globally.
Okosi 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.
According to him, there will be networking opportunities
with other artists, songwriters, and producers included in the #YouTubeBlack Voices
Fund.
Okosi said that there would also be a chance to maximise the
impact of their channels as they provide catalogue-development opportunities.
He said that over the next few years, YouTube would be
directly investing in more than 500 creators and artists from across the world.
“It is to support, grow, and fund their channels and content
development through the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund”. NAN