The State of Black Creativity | Blog
You might have seen the headlines.
"How the Internet was transformed into a playground to Embrace Black Creators" Vice reports.
"TikTok was created by Black creators. How come they aren't able to get credit?" Elle asks.
"Marketers Are Underpaying Black Influencers Despite Trying to Make Black Lives Matter," Bloomberg reports.
It's possible you've seen it on your own feeds. Brands leveraging anti-racist artwork and views to increase their clout, but not paying their creators their worth. Perhaps you're any brand that is in the creative economy and you've noticed that Black influencers are underpaid relative to the amount paid to other influencers and platforms. Perhaps you're just thinking about the huge difference between the people and organizations who shared black squares back on June 20, 2020. Or our world the present.
Below the headlines lies an era of cultural appropriation that has a long history. Black culture - and today because of the easy copying and downloading of work on the internet, digital creators are faced with cultural theft at a large scale. Each theft takes more than intellectual property: creative theft also robs creators of opportunities.
"I think one of the dangers of taking and appropriating Black art and creativity is the loss of potential, " says teacher Hallease Narveaz. "So much about being a creative person and finding opportunities all about being at the right spot when you need to be there having the appropriate capabilities and knowing the appropriate individuals. And so every incident of crime, it is a loss of the chance to stand out in a different light. This is already a challenge for us."
As a player in the economy of creators, we believe it's our obligation to provide an equal playing field that allows creators from all backgrounds and different disciplines. In this month's issue, we invited Black creatives to share their experiences of credit and compensation with us as well as with you. Along with the rest of our community We hope to bring an end to rampant appropriation of creative work and push for fair and equal compensation from brands through thoughtful sharing and the sourcing of Black creatives.
Through the month, we'll be spotlighting Black Creatives on all of our platforms. We'll answer questions such as:
- What is the distinction between cultural appropriation and appreciation?
- How can businesses and non-Black creators correctly give the credit and respect to Black Creativity?
- What is the risk of theft or appropriation and how can it impact negatively Black creators financially and psychologically?
Be sure to follow our posts via TikTok as well as Instagram to see us answer the questions below and many more teachers you know and love.
Credit Black Creativity: A Class List
In this month's issue we asked our people of our community to submit their most-loved classes taught by Black creatives. Here's what they said:
Steff Reed and Nedra Tawwab
I first was introduced to Nedra through Instagram, via her mental health and wellness memes and articles. They are always so so intelligent, thoughtful, and inspiring. What I loved the most about her program was that it empowers and can equip you with the skills to regain your strength. I am grateful for Nedra Her mission, her dedication to her students and the work that she's been commissioned to do.
Pro Tip Did you know teachers are compensated for each minute that is watched in their class? Look through the lists, attend classes that you enjoy to help increase the earnings of your favourite performers.
Eva Woolridge on Karen Jordan
I'm a big lover of animation and would love to explore this creative world more deeply. I believe that TikTok is a perfect and hands-on way to play with new animated creations. It's always fascinating to see Black animators intertwine blackness with their work. It's all about representation and I'm seeking a mentor that will incorporate my own life experiences when teaching techniques for making animation.
What is the best way to support black Creatives
If you're looking to further your dedication, increase your knowledge and appreciation, or even support Black artists, we invite you to look into the following organizations. Whether it's donating funds, time or communicating their goals and achievements in your own community, we encourage you to support and follow: