YouTube, a US video-sharing platform, has included Nigerian artistes as beneficiaries of the grants to come from its Black Voices Fund.
The global $100m fund, which was first announced in June, offers support to black artistes and creators so that they can thrive on YouTube over the next three years.
Alex Okosi, YouTube’s managing director for emerging markets, who spoke on the development, said the fund will invest in singers to “present fresh narratives that emphasise the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity and joy of black voices.”
He said the fund will also be focusing its efforts on creators within the United States, Brazil and Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
“Our goal is to expand funding to more countries over the course of the next three years,” the MD said.
“Additionally, we hope to provide a consistent drumbeat of educational training, workshops, and community events to Black creators and artists globally.”
According to Okosi, the decision comes as part of efforts to ensure the video sharing platform is a place where black artistes and creators can share stories and be protected.
“Along with our commitment to amplifying marginalised voices on the content side, we are investing in product and policy changes that will continue to advance YouTube’s mission of giving everyone a voice and showing them the world,” he added.
Artistes can apply for the grant here.
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