Kaluhis Kitchen, Mitchelle Adagala and Patricia Kihoro picked for #YouTubeBlack

Kaluhi’s Kitchen, Mitchelle Adagala, Mumo and Patricia Kihoro were on Tuesday unveiled as part of the #YouTubeBlack Voices creator grantees from Africa.

They are among the 20 grantees selected across from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

“In the coming months, we will work closely with the Class of 2021 to grow the creator’s channels. This will include dedicated partner support through our team of growth specialists, seed funding invested into the development of their channels, and participation in an intensive, 3-week incubator program, followed by ongoing bespoke training, workshops, and networking programs,” says Alex Okosi, MD, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA.

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

Mr. Okosi said this is the first round of investments that the platform is making in creators and artists from the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.

Over the next few years, YouTube plans to directly invest in 500+ creators and artists from across the world to support, grow and fund the creators’ channels and content development.

He said YouTube is committed to amplifying Black voices and providing a platform where Black African creators can have a spotlight and continue to centre both their voices and perspectives.

“As part of that mission,  we have developed the #YouTubeBlack Voices grant program, an initiative dedicated to investing in Black creators and artists, and equipping them with the resources to succeed on the YouTube platform,” the statement reads.

The grant program is part of the platform’s larger #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund, a global, multi-year commitment to grow Black creators and artists on YouTube.

In 2016, YouTube brought together some of the largest and most-influential Black creators on YouTube for their first-ever YouTube Black Summit.

It was the start of a movement, both on and off the platform that birthed the #YouTubeBlack community.

Over the years, the tech company continues to partner and build specific programming for the #YouTubeBlack community – summits, workshops and events like #YouTube Black FanFest.

“The #YouTubeBlack community is filled with so many passionate, talented, brilliant, and driven creatives. We’re honoured to give these awesome creators additional resources to match their drive,” added Alex Okosi.