Eleven content creators from Kenya are among 40 creators who are set to receive funding from video streaming platform, YouTube.
YouTube announced the expansion of efforts to support creators and the creative economy in Africa through the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices creators and artist cohorts.
Among the #YouTubeBlack Voices Artists selected for the programme are 11 Kenyans namely; Caleb Orem, Martin Kihara, Agatha Nkirote, Susan Muriithi, Sebastian Ngida, Joanne Wanja, Wongel Zelalem, Juliet Kane, Olive Nkirote, and Kate Kendy Wanjiku.
Now in its third year, the initiative from YouTube is a follow-up to a global, multi-year commitment made in 2020 to uplift and grow Black creators, artists, songwriters, and producers on the platform.
Forty creators from Sub-Saharan Africa will be part of the 135 #YouTubeBlack Voices Creators selected globally who are enrolled into the cohort.
The cohort will also include African fast-rising musical artists, Gyakie from Ghana, Kamo Mphela from South Africa, Asake from Nigeria, and BNXN from Nigeria.
Further, Hip Hop producer MashBeatz from South Africa and Nairobi-based producer Ukweli will be joining 17 #YouTubeBlack Voices Songwriters and Producers globally.
As support from YouTube, grantees will receive $20,000 (approx. Ksh.2.4 million) and $50,000 (approx. Ksh.6.1 million) as seed funding, 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.
The artists, songwriters, and producers joining the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2023 will be required to set goals, develop content strategy, and engage with their fans on YouTube, with the assistance of a YouTube partner manager.
