In June last year YouTube opened up for applications to its Black Voices Fund, now in its second year.
Applications have since closed, along with the South African representatives being named, but now YouTube has confirmed all 26 African creators that will be a part of the class of 2022.
“We are excited to be working with an outstanding group of young and talented African creators who understand that content that resonates with their audience is both entertaining and thought-provoking,” enthused Alex Okosi, MD for Emerging Markets at YouTube EMEA.
“This group of creators is making content that starts important conversations about issues we face in society, which really resonate with their audience. We are inspired by them and hope that the skills they learn from being part of this programme will help them touch more lives than they’d ever imagined,” he added in a press release sent to Hypertext.
For those unfamiliar with the Black Voices Fund, the creators chosen will receive seed funding alongside dedicated support to help them develop their channels. They will also take part in bespoke and hands-on training, workshops and networking programmes, according to YouTube.
The African class of 2022 is as follows:
| YouTube channel | Creator | Country |
| Angel Lately | Wendy Angel Nangayo | Kenya |
| cheymuv | Cheyenne Chelimo Umulinga Muvunyi | Kenya |
| Mandi Sarro | Mandi Sarro | Kenya |
| Shared Moments with Justus | Justus Nandwa | Kenya |
| Adaeze’s Space | Adaeze Jideonwo | Nigeria |
| Chinyere Abang | Chinyere Nneka Abang | Nigeria |
| Data Pepple | Data Willie-Pepple | Nigeria |
| Fisayo Fosudo | Oluwafisayo Fosudo | Nigeria |
| fummeee | Ikede Adebisi Oluwafunmilayo | Nigeria |
| Hn clothings | Chima Chikodinaka Perpetua | Nigeria |
| Skybelle | Nwamaka Joy Izugbara | Nigeria |
| Steven Ndukwu | NDUKWU STEPHEN ANTHONY | Nigeria |
| TNC Africa | Olawale Adetula | Nigeria |
| Ummeeta Rabiu | Halima Yusuf Rabiu | Nigeria |
| Critics Company | The critics company | South Africa |
| Bongani | South Africa | |
| Dennis Ngango | South Africa | |
| Nomathamsanqa Plaatjie | South Africa | |
| Manjra | Aarif Muhammad Manjra | South Africa |
| Michelle Expert | Mitchell Lima | South Africa |
| Mlungisi Nkosi | Mlungisi Nkosi | South Africa |
| Mpoomy Ledwaba | Nompumelelo | South Africa |
| Nico Nomyayi | Nico Nomyayi | South Africa |
| Nozibele Qamngana | Nozibele Qamngana | South Africa |
| The Ndlovu’s Uncut | Hungani Malcolm Ndlovu | South Africa |
| The Tshegofatso | Tshegofatso Isaac | South Africa |
| Uncomfortable Growth | Abigail Gugulethu Nyatsumba | South Africa |
| Xukununu_Bold | Xukununu Ntsetselelo | South Africa |
With the backing of YouTube behind them, it will be interesting to see how this cohort fares in the coming year, and we will be watching the 12 South African channels to see how they develop and improve the quality of their content.
