YouTube Announces $100m ‘Black Voices Fund’ For Nigerian Artists, Creators

YouTube has announced that artistes and creators from Nigeria could apply for grants from its global $100 million Black Voices Fund.

Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, said in a statement that the global fund would over the next three years offer support to black artists and creators.

The managing director said that Black Voices Fund would invest with the intention to present fresh narratives that emphasises the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice.

He said that the $100m fund was first announced in June and was officially named the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.

According to him, this year, 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,”

“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 part of the work currently underway to ensure that YouTube is a place where Black artists, creators and users can share their stories and be protected,’’ he said.

According to Mr Okosi, along with our commitment to amplifying marginalised voices on the content side, we are also investing in product and policy changes that will continue to advance YouTube’s mission.