Instagram Launches 'Black Perspectives' Initiative To Give Black Creatives The Credit They Deserve

Here in the UK, Instagram is linking up with Ibrahim Kamara, Tanya Compas, Henrie Kwushue, and Estare Areola, four creators who have become industry leaders.

515A5670
Publicist

None

515A5670

As Black content creators continue to lead the way in online spaces and online trends. Whether it’s through memes, videos, dances, or even whole songs, it’s more important than ever that those Black creatives get the credit they deserve. Perhaps even more important than that is the need for social media platforms to support those individuals and help them leverage their talent into long-lasting careers.

With that in mind, Instagram has just announced a new initiative called Black Perspectives—a project designed to support Black creatives and give them the credit they truly deserve. And it’s not just about boosting the individuals making content in online spaces. The initiative has been designed to also support those creatives giving back into their community; whether it’s an event or an educational workshop, anything that empowers those people and their communities, is being supported here.

Here in the UK, Instagram is linking up with LGBTQ+ youth worker and community builder Tanya Compas, GUAP co-founder Ibrahim Kamara, Kiss FM presenter/host Henrie Kwushue, and leading lifestyle influencer Estare Areola—four homegrown creators who have risen up in online spaces to become industry leaders in publishing, music, entertainment, activism, fashion, and beyond.

First will be Tanya Compas’ ERASURE project, which launches in April, a two-day boot camp designed to help LGBTQ+ young people break down stereotypes through content creation and storytelling, and forge creative careers without compromising who they are. Then, later in April, Ibrahim is launching a six-week workshop session called #TheBrief to give five Black creatives the opportunity to work with him on a creative campaign that he’ll be mentoring to deliver editorial, video and images in response to the themes of ‘Legacy’ and ‘Community’. 

Beginning in May, Henrie Kwushue will be launching Free Game, an exclusive Instagram content series where she’ll interview big names from the entertainment industry to uncover inside knowledge and pass on that wisdom to the next generation. Finally, kicking off in June, Estare Areola will run The Creator Quest, which involves a series of challenges for four aspiring content creators to see how they handle a real brand brief and if they can turn their passion into a career.

Over the coming months, each of these four talents will be working closely with Instagram to deliver their initiatives, give back to their communities and inspire the next generation of content creators. “At Instagram, we’re committed to supporting and nurturing the careers of emerging Black talent, and Black Perspectives is an embodiment of that,” says Georgia Kelly, Emerging Creator Partnerships, UK & Nordics, Instagram. “Black creators are consistently driving culture forward on the platform and too often face barriers to success in the creative industry. Together with our change-making lead creators, we’ve curated a programme that will support emerging talent to forge careers for themselves both on and off Instagram.”

Complex caught up with the creators leading the Instagram project. 


 

Henrie Kwushue

Henrie Kwushue

What made you choose your particular project/initiative?


There are a lot of awkward questions people don’t like asking when it comes to the entertainment industry. I’ve always felt that maybe it’s because they don’t want to seem intrusive or, like, they’re bothering someone. Or, perhaps, many of these questions only ever get asked behind closed doors and between close friends. Free Game aims to bring all of those questions to the fore so the next generation of entertainers know what to expect when entering the industry.

How important is it for platforms like Instagram to recognise the work of young Black content creators?

It’s super important for platforms like Instagram to recognise the work of young Black creators. This is because it can seem a bit too easy for the Black creator community to be overlooked, especially those that push forward trends and culture. Sometimes it might feel like only a small group can make it at any one time. But, really, acknowledgment from platforms like Instagram within the Black creator community will shine a light on rising creatives. 

What do you hope to achieve with your project/initiative in the long term?

My ambition is to have a central point for all young and budding Black entertainers to go to, if and whenever they have questions they’re too shy to ask. Access to information shouldn’t be hard for anyone.


Estare Areola

Estare Areola

What made you choose your particular project/initiative?

This idea was birthed from my experiences many years ago when I first broke into the industry. I found there wasn’t a single place or person I could go to for help or advice on furthering my career, especially as this was a whole new industry. Over the years, and as I became a more established creator, I noticed through conversations with other Black creators that they faced similar issues. I wanted to break this cycle. My wish is to share the knowledge I’ve gained through years of experience and open up space for dialogue to empower those who wish to embark on becoming a full-time content creator to feel fully equipped, along with the knowledge to avoid making the mistakes I made.

How important is it for platforms like Instagram to recognise the work of young Black content creators?

As one of the biggest social platforms and with many now making a living from sharing content on Instagram, it’s essential for the platform to champion, push and encourage Black creators. I know, first hand, how exciting and empowering it is to see someone who looks and sounds like you thriving in the social space and becoming part of the new wave of entrepreneurs through the creativity they share on the platform. I love seeing people from my background being championed and appreciated for who they are.

What do you hope to achieve with your project/initiative in the long term?

I hope to empower and encourage the next generation of Black creators. Knowledge is power, and I hope that sharing all the knowledge I’ve learnt over the years will give the next generation of Black creators the ability to believe in their values and to confidently go for everything they set their sights on.


Tanya Compas

Tanya Compas

What made you choose your particular project/initiative?

I chose ERASURE because I wanted to be able to help, support and empower young Black LGBTQ people to learn and see the power in their stories outside of identifier labels: outside of being Black and LGBTQ. I think that so many of our stories, when they do reach the mainstream, are often told or shaped through the eyes of heterosexual people or through the eye of us being ‘educators’. I just want to remind them that every story matters, because every story they tell is inherently Black and LGBTQ+, because it’s their own story and I want to help them find the fun in becoming digital storytellers. 

How important is it for platforms like Instagram to recognise the work of young Black content creators? 

It’s very, very important. We’re the voices that influence popular culture, but the voices that are often left out of the boardroom or left out of the creative teams. The faces that do make it to the mainstream often don’t reflect everyone in the community and a small minority of the Black community. A lot of Black LGBTQ+ voices are left out, especially from the Trans community and dark-skinned community, so it’s important to work with them outside of a one-off project. Black Perspectives allows us the opportunity to create real connections that will create the necessary impact that will last long after the programme finishes. 

What do you hope to achieve with your project/initiative in the long term? 

For me, I love being able to see young people that have come on my programmes build lasting friendships or connections with mentors, people their own age and community members. With ERASURE specifically, it’s providing young people with a platform to build their agency and recognise their own sauce. The power is in their hands to build community, to become confident, and to know that their stories matter.


Ibrahim Kamara

Ibrahim Kamara

What made you choose your particular project/initiative?

I wanted to create an opportunity for young creators who have never worked on a commercial campaign before. There are lots of creatives doing amazing things, but I wanted to reduce that barrier to entry and support them onto bigger things by either kick-starting or supporting them to take their portfolio to the next level.

How important is it for platforms like Instagram to recognise the work of young Black content creators?

I think it’s important for platforms like Instagram to recognise young, Black talent, because a lot of trends start with Black creators. Fuelling and recognising their talents is one step in the right direction but there’s still more progress to be made.

What do you hope to achieve with your project/initiative in the long term?

For the creators involved, I’d like for this to be a stepping stone for them to go on and work on bigger projects. I’d love to run this on a yearly basis to give more creators this opportunity and support more creators in multiple creative areas.



Head over to the Instagram profiles of Tanya Compas, Ibrahim KamaraHenrie Kwushue and Estare Areola to check out more and find out how you can get involved​​​​​​ with #BlackPerspectives.

Latest in Pop Culture