Black Hollywood Brunch with TikTok’s Visionary Voices

Black creators on TikTok are setting trends. If you are not familiar with the never-ending saga of Reesa Teesa’s marital woes or “the twin you were in?” viral videos or learn the importance of getting a martini in your hand, get acquainted quickly. TikTok has noticed how influential and precious Black creators are to their platform, so that they decided to acknowledge their many contributions with a brunch. On Sunday, February 25, TikTok hosted them 2024 Visionary Voices of Black Hollywood Brunch on the elegant Hotel Bel-Air honoring visionary Black creators and cultural changemakers in media and entertainment. Hosted by TikTok Shavone CharlesGlobal Director of Diversity and Inclusion Communications and Alex Girma, #BlackTikTok Community Manager, the brunch celebrated industry disruptors, creators, decision-makers and allies who’re influencing and amplifying Black voices within the entertainment industry. The TikTok platform is thought for generating excitement across industries by promoting Black voices – as its visionary #BlackTikTok community continues to raise Black creativity and influence the industry on TikTok and beyond. This Black History Month and all year long, they selected to rejoice the greatness of #BlackTikTok by amplifying the culture-defining influence of their community of Black creators.

We were joined by black creators and voices from the world of entertainment, including: Olly Sholotan, Jackie Always, LaLa MilanKaren Civil, Andrzej OkekDeAndre Brown and this yr’s #BlackTikTok Visionary Voices winners, including: Jordan Howlett, LU KALA, Daven Gatesincluding our own ESSENCE Ventures, Chief Revenue Officer, Pauline Malcolm-Thornton.

In addition to the attractive scenery and atmosphere, participants hung out together having fun with delicious food, snacks, craft cocktails, experiential installations, a TikTok #ShopBlack experience with Topics, Pat McGrath Laboratories, Ami Cole, FORVR Mood and a wellness pop-up with Nike. The event also featured content capture moments, style portraits from Getty and BFA, and music by Hot DJin addition to an enticing discussion on the impact of the #BlackTikTok community moderated by TikTok Alex Girma and guest stars from ours #BlackTikTok Visionary Voices List 2024 (including Jordan Howlett, LU KALA AND Daven Gates). The panel highlighted the importance of the TikTok platform for creators who use it to grow their personal and skilled brands into profitable businesses. After the panel, we caught up with Girma to listen to her thoughts on the Visionary Voices winners and what’s next for Black creators using the platform. “We want to make sure Black creators feel heard, seen and appreciated. The contribution they make to TikTok is invaluable. Black creators are the ones who started all the trends and dictate what’s hot, so we really wanted to create a space that amplified them so that everyone could see all the work they do every day. This is where Visionary Voices came from, amplifying Black voices in media and entertainment,” she told ESSENCE.

TikTok also knows the facility of content ownership and potential economic freedom, especially for Black creators. “TikTok has been amazing for these Black creators because they’ve been in a position to leverage the fan base and community they found on our platform to begin their very own businesses; for instance, Jordan Thee Stallion was just talking on a panel that he had a quick food secrets business stemming from his previous experience within the food industry; Daven Gates also released two cookbooks on his TikTok, Girma said.

Karen Civil, a well known businesswoman, social media influencer and TikTok user chimed in: “It’s refreshing to see how TikTok is prioritizing Black creators, empowering them in a way that also ensures they will generate financial income for themselves. I confer with FUBU because I feel prefer it’s for us and by us.

What TikTok understands so well is the worth and originality of its Black creators’ content, which ultimately results in virality and trends sweeping the Internet, contributing to a serious cultural renaissance. Shavone Charles, global communications director for diversity and inclusion at TikTok and a cultural connoisseur, spoke concerning the importance of constant to incorporate Black voices within the digital ecosystem to make a cultural impact. “I mainly feel like we’re experiencing a renaissance of Black creativity and creators, pushing boundaries. “Every time it becomes clear that we are the ecosystem and the pulse of what’s next, what’s cool, what is and what will be,” she said.

For Black creators, they consider that the TikTok platform helps amplify their brands and positively change their lives, but in addition they consider that events just like the Visionary Voices brunch help construct community and connections with like-minded people. “I feel very happy to be here. The amount of talent in this one room is wonderful. It’s almost overwhelming and that’s great. Everyone has a radiant and brilliant personality, so I feel truly honored,” said Jordan Howlett, the 2024 TikTok industry disruptor.

He continued: “Everyone here is a walking, talking example of possibility. It’s incredibly important to hold events like this so people can see what’s possible.”