During the second week of January, TikTok opened applications for its incubator program meant to elevate and amplify the voices of Black creators. Today, TikTok revealed which users are been selected to join.
The Inaugural Class of TikTok's Black Creatives Program
TikTok has announced that after processing over 5000 applications, it has selected the lucky 100 artists that get to join its three-month creator incubator program, TikTok for Black Creatives.
"We were so thrilled by the participation from the community and will continue to cheer on all creators and artists who submitted videos. We are excited about the TikTok for Black Creatives program, and further growing and developing an already flourishing Black creative community on TikTok."
The program, presented in collaboration with MACRO, is dedicated to help Black creators expand on their internet brand and presence, as well as connecting them to new opportunities. Though similarly named, it's not to be confused with the TikTok Creator Program, the agreement that details how TikTok pays its users for the content they create.
While TikTok did not release a complete list of names to the public, we do know that the 100 users have been contacted and that their content covers a way array of categories: arts, entertainment, music, education, food, beauty, and fitness.
Among the chosen creators are musicians Keshawn Midgette and Grace DHaiti, animators Recokh and Marc Geiger, baker Robert Lucas, and wellness coach Denise Francis. Other users excitedly took to Twitter to announce that they've been selected:
I’m thrilled to announce that I’ve been selected as one of 100 in the TikTok for Black Creatives Program 🙌🏽✨
— IG: JontaOHT (@jontaoht) February 23, 2021
Thank you @tiktokcreators & @stayMACRO for recognizing my creativity. I look forward to learning & expanding my skill set. #BlackCreatives #TiktokPartner pic.twitter.com/wQM9Y5vjAa
What Is MACRO?
Founded by CEO Charles D. King in 2015, MACRO is a multiplatform media company that aims to represent the voice and perspectives of people of color. The company has produced a number of notable films, such as Fences (2016), Just Mercy (2019), and most recently, historical drama Judas and the Black Messiah (2021).
“We are thrilled to partner with TikTok to identify, uplift and support Black creators. The Black creator community on TikTok is at the forefront of driving culture and sparking trends, and MACRO is proud to help amplify and showcase their immense talent," says chief brand officer Stacey Walker King.
TikTok Continues to Celebrate Black History Month
The program starts on February 23, and includes a keynote presentation entitled "Manifestation | Envision Your Future" by actress and entrepreneur Gabrielle Union.
TikTok boasts that in the next three months of the program, its team will be accompanied by even more Black influencers to provide insight during town halls, forums, and other educational events.
