To celebrate the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund grantees, YouTube held a two-day event in Nairobi to allow them connect, network and collaborate with other creators.
During the event, the online video sharing and streaming platform reaffirmed its commitment to amplify black voices in Africa.
Over 100 Black creators from around the world took part in the celebrations in Kenya, which also highlighted the impact that the YouTube Black Voices Fund has had since its launch.
Created in 2020, the fund’s purpose is to invest in talent and present fresh narratives that emphasise the intellectual power and authenticity of black voices.
The programme has helped over 500 creators and artists grow their channels and their audiences.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of YouTube Black Voices Fund event at State House, Nairobi, President William Ruto challenged the youth to embrace the massive income generating opportunities that online streaming channel YouTube offers today.
He said the video-sharing platform generated over Sh4 trillion in revenue in 2021 alone.
He added that individuals with channels that offered music videos, news video clips, short and feature films, songs, documentaries and trailers, live streams and vlogs benefitted from this windfall.
"The users who upload more than 500 hours of content every minute earn a share of this revenue. As a result, YouTube has become a major employer with many creatives finding more than decent livelihoods on it," Ruto said.
