Vozes Negras: YouTube selects 35 black Brazilians for the #YouTube Black Voices project
Note from BBT: When the subject of television programs comes up, I often respond the same way. The fact is, I simply don’t watch much television and I haven’t for years. One of the main reasons for my lack of dedication to the small screen has been the arrival of my three little ones. Shorties LOVE their cartoons and I swear there are far more cartoons to choose from nowadays than when I was a kid. Between Netflix for kids, Amazon Prime and YouTube, kids would probably watch cartoons for an entire non-stop and never watch more than one episode of a cartoon if they didn’t want to. As such, when I’m home and the kids are home, 99% of the time, if the TV’s on, it’s gonna be on a cartoon.
The other reason that I don’t watch much TV is YouTube. There is so much good content on YouTube that, honestly, I don’t even miss watching TV. The last time I watched TV for me was….let me think. Not counting the times I’m over auntie’s house and her TV is on…It was the Dave Chappelle comedy special. It’s been so long that I can’t even remember when that was. Wait a minute. I forgot something. Last year, on November 20th, which is Brazil’s Black Consciousness Day, the Globo TV network aired a special called “Falas Negras” which featured a number of well-known and lesser-known Afro-Brazilian actors and actresses portraying famous or important black personalities, Brazilian and non-Brazilian, in short, dramatic monologues. I need to do a story on that…
Although I consider myself to be nearly totally disconnected from what’s going on on TV, from time time to time, friends will tell me about this or that new TV series and I’ve lost count on how many good programs (so I’m told) that I’ve missed. There’s been Luke Cage, Orange is the New Black, Dear White People, Blackish and on and on. Just haven’t had the time. All I can tell you is that, when people tell you that you won’t understand it until you have kids, now I understand. Oh well. Maybe one day I’ll play catch up, but for now, I’m happy in my YouTube world.
And for good reason.
Whether I’m checking out content makers from Brazil, the United States, the UK, or wherever, there so much intriguing, informative and even entertaining content on YouTube, I don’t even feel like I’m missing anything from television. The video platform has been an incredible gift for black Brazilians. Long shut out from Brazil’s mainstream media, you just don’t find great black representation in Brazilian television or film. I mean sure you have some well-known Afro-Brazilian actors and actresses, but having a novela, TV series or film with a primarily black cast and/or black director is simply a rarity, even in the 21st century.
But as the saying goes, if you want something done, you gotta do it yourself and black Brazilians began to take matters into their own hands several years ago with countless personalities filling up YouTube with content that they would like to see but that Brazil doesn’t care to cover. Topics as varied as black haircare and makeup for black skin, black politics, economics and relationships. There are people earning recording contracts with their musical talents, folks teaching others how to make content for YouTube and people just there to make you laugh.
No longer are black Brazilians simply waiting for its national media to hear their demand for representation and on top of showing their talents for making entertaining videos on YouTube, they are also finding help outside of Brazil. A few weeks ago, I discussed the Afro.TV platform that attracted investments and partnerships from outside of Brazil with folks like David Wilson of the African-American news website The Grio.
Last July saw the debut of Trace Brazuca, a channel totally dedicated to Afro-Brazilian culture. The venture falls under the umbrella of its parent channel, the French television channel, Trace Urban. Then we have the streaming channel, Wolo TV that debuted at the end of last year.
In a recent interview, one of the founders of Wolo TV Licínio Januário, discussed not being able to attain funding from sources in Brazil. The solution he said, was for black Brazilian entrepreneurs was seek resources outside of the country, where foreign investors see the potential of the black audiovisual market.
His team focused its efforts 100% on attracting resources outside of Brazil and this worked out. The holding owner of Wolo TV is based in the US with the Brazilian operation being a subsidiary.
Which brings us to this new project being funded by YouTube. I guess if Brazil isn’t willing to invest in its black population, others are. Whatever it takes to get the job done.
Vozes Negras: YouTube selects 35 black Brazilians for the #YouTube Black Voices project
In all there are 132 selected from Brazil, South Africa, Australia, United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and United Kingdom
By Acheiusa with additional information from Portal Popline
Throughout history, black artists have innovated and influenced all musical genres in immeasurable ways. To celebrate and stimulate black art around the world, Youtube has developed a program called #YouTubeBlack Voices – an initiative dedicated to encouraging rising black artists and creators with the resources to succeed on our platform.
Among the creators and artists who are part of the first global panel, 35 of them are Brazilian. Music names like Pericles, Rael, Urias and MC Carol are among those selected to participate in the program and will receive funding to invest in improving the content and structure of their channels.
In all there are 132 selected from Brazil, South Africa, Australia, United States, Nigeria, Kenya, and United Kingdom and, among them, there are musicians, beauty entrepreneurs, comedians, activists, poets, trainers, teachers, parents and photographers. In all there will be 100 million dollars dedicated to amplifying and develop black voices and stories.
In the coming months, YouTube will work closely with the creators to help them thrive on the platform. This will include dedicated support from YouTube and initial funding of between $10,000 and $50,000 to invest in the channel structure.
Selected creators will also participate in networking programs and customized training from the YouTube Creator Incubator, a three-week immersive experience that features virtual workshops to help with production and business administration.
10ocupados
The humor group started joking about everyday life and old street games and today it has accumulated more than 4 million subscribers on the platform.
AD Junior
He works as an expert in Digital Marketing and in his networks he deals with issues related to representativeness, in addition to providing advice on diversity strategy and racial issues for large companies in Brazil.
Ana Paula Xongani
Her works have taken her to many places, among them to TV, where she presents the program Se Essa Roupa Fosse Minha (If These Clothes Were Mine), at GNT, about conscious fashion. In the networks, she produces her own content and for companies. At the invitation of the Obama Foundation, she has carried out the minidoc “Por que precisamos voltar à escola” (Why we need to go back to school), about education for black girls.
Beleza Negra (Black Beauty) – Patrícia Avelino
It started on YouTube in 2010, with content focused on valuing the beauty of black women, with videos about curly hair, makeup, reviews and more.
Camila Nunes
A graduate in Makeup and Aesthetics, lives in Niterói, and created the channel in 2012 to help black women to make up themselves, besides sharing tips of everything related to the female universe.
Débora Luz
Her channel is dedicated to the empowerment of women through the appreciation of the diversity of beauty. A resident of São Paulo, she publishes videos about well being, women’s empowerment, decoration and her routine in general.
Dois Por Cento TV
Sidney Gabriel, also known as DPC (Dois Por Cento), lives in Mauá – SP. He started on YouTube in 2015, producing content totally focused on basketball. Thanks to the platform he was able to travel to Poland to represent Brazil in the world of freestyle basketball.
Nath Finanças
The objective of the channel is to make financial education more accessible, teaching in an easy and practical way for those who have never studied or don’t understand the subject.
Gabi Oliveira
Gabi Oliveira is a social communicator and content creator, currently brings together an audience of virtual followers in their networks of approximately 1 million people, being one of the participating channels of Google’s Creators For Change program.Guardei no Armário (Keep it in the closet)
Guardei no Armário (I Kept it in the closet)
He has been working in the advertising market for over 10 years. Black, of peripheral origin, gay and militant of black and LGBT causes, Samuel lectures on sexual diversity and race throughout the country. He is among the 20 most innovative creators of black content, according to Forbes in 2020.
Herdeira da Beleza (Heir of Beauty)
Professional make up artist, Tássio Santos has a channel focused on black beauty, in which he gives make up tips and products for people with this skin tone.
Jacy July
She found in the social networks a way to express herself, either through self-care with her hair and skin, self-esteem, or beauty. Her channel is focused on valuing self-esteem and the empowerment of black people.
LevviTalk
Leandro Vicente is passionate about cultural exchanges and languages. On his channel he creates content to help people achieve their personal and professional goals. Among the topics covered are: how to learn English, IT area, career tips, studies and travel.
Luany Cristina
The channel was created to talk about cabelo crespo (curly hair) care, home recipes, finishing, make-up and products review, with the passing of time other themes were emerging as empowerment, self-esteem and acceptance.
Luci Gonçalves
Carioca (native of Rio), favela resident, writer and content creator, Luci addresses issues such as blackness, bisexuality, beauty and favela slums.
Monalisa Nunes
A Bahian doctor acting in the area of dermatology with focus on black skin and natural dermatology. She started on YouTube during medical school and since then produces motivational videos with study tips, medical entertainment and dermatology.
Muro Pequeno
Born in Bahia and now living in Rio de Janeiro, Murilo Araújo is a journalist and researcher, with a bachelor’s degree in Social Communication and a master’s degree in Linguistic Studies from the Federal University of Viçosa/MG. He is an activist linked to anti-racist and anti-LGBTfobia causes.
Nátaly Neri/ Afros & Afins
Nátaly Neri lives in São Paulo and has been creating videos for Youtube since 2015. She talks about fashion, sustainability, veganism, blackness and feminism.
Neggata
Neggata is an alter ego of pure empowerment. She has created videos since 2014 with the intention of bringing more awareness and culture to the world.
PhCôrtes
At the age of 18, he talks about the black protagonism in the history of Brazil, nowadays, pop culture and entertainment, besides bringing guests to talk about several subjects.
Papo de Preta
The channel exists to give voice and turn to black women with videos about pop culture, daily life, beauty, and society, all commented with the eyes of two black women.
Preta Araújo
Born and raised in São Paulo, more precisely in the East Zone, she started on YouTube without pretension, in search of teaching turban moorings. Today, with 6 years of platform, she talks about everything and always in a good mood.
Rafaela Lima
Born and raised in the favela of Maré, in Rio de Janeiro, she saw education as a way to change the course of her family. The teacher created her channel as a space for those who love science, with classes for elementary school, tips and curiosities.
Ramana Borba
With more than 1 million subscribers, Ramana teaches several choreographies, whether the most complex or the viral, and other dance steps on her channel.
Soul Vaidosa
A music therapist by training, the creation of content arrived in her life inspired by her daughter Jade and how important representativeness and diverse narratives are for the construction of a black identity.
Spartakus Santiago
YouTuber black and gay who uses pop culture to discuss social issues such as mental health, racism and LGBTophobia. With over 80 million views adding up all platforms, his channel has led him to have videos displayed on MASP and to be elected one of the 20 most innovative black creators by Forbes.
Thelminha
The doctor and influencer gained national prominence by winning the 2020 edition of Big Brother Brasil. She has been producing content about medicine, lifestyle and empowerment on YouTube since 2017.
Tô de crespa
She started on Youtube in 2016 sharing the processes of hair transition. She talks about the valorization of black beauty, cabelo crespo (kinky/curly hair), also approaching empowerment, self-esteem and personal acceptance.
UmBipolar
The humor channel is run by Biel, who creates original series and short films, as well as making parodies of musical hits.
UTK
The couple Johnny Klein and Camila Bertani run a channel with humor sketches, in which they make fun of everyday situations and relationships.
Yuri Marçal
His trajectory in humor began in 2016 and since then he has collected laughter, shows and thousands of fans. Yuri fell in the graces of the public investing in a humorous line not explored in Brazil: the afrocentrado (Afrocentric) and critical humor.
MC Carol
Born in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, the artist brings in her most recent songs themes such as racism, social exclusion and feminism.
Pericles
Former member of the group Exaltasamba, Pericles is a singer, composer and instrumentalist in samba and pagode.
Rael
The rapper from São Paulo brings a mix of rhythms that earned him nominations for the Latin Grammy and APCA, in addition to the trophy for best singer at the Brazilian Music Award in 2017.
Urias
From fashion to music and important name of the LGBTQIA+ scene, the mineira (native of Minas Gerais) gained prominence with the clip “Diaba”, winner of the Berlin Music Video Awards in the category Best Art Direction.
Source: Acheiusa, Portal Popline
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