10 Nigerians, 16 Countries Selected for YouTube Black Voice Funds
The leading global search engine operator, Google, says 10 Nigerian creators and 16 from other African countries have been selected to receive the second edition of the YouTube Black voice fund.
Alex Okosi, the Managing Director of Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA, stated this in a statement on Thursday. He said that each of the 26 African YouTubers selected would receive seed funding alongside dedicated support to help them develop their channels.
Okosi said that the selected YouTubers would also take part in bespoke and hands-on training, workshops and networking programmes.
According to him, YouTube is 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.
“This group of creators is making content that starts important conversations about issues we face in society, which really resonates 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 had ever imagined.
‘’This is the second class of African creators in the #YouTube Black Voices Fund which is now established as a multi-year commitment aimed at nurturing Black creators and artists on YouTube,’’ he said.
Okosi said that in 2021, the programme welcomed 133 grantees from Australia, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Brazil, and United States in its inaugural edition.
According to him, it has plans to invest directly in no fewer than 500 innovators and artists globally to fulfil its objective.
He listed creators selected for the fund as Wendy Angel Nagayo, Kenya; Cheyenne Chelimo, Kenya; Mandi Sarro, Kenya; Justus Nandwa; Adaeze Jideonwo, Nigeria; and Chinyere Abang, Nigeria.
“Others include Data Willie-Pepple, Nigeria; Oluwafisayo Fosudo, Nigeria; Ikede Oluwafunmilayo, Nigeria; Chima Chikodinaka, Nigeria; Nwamaka Izugbara, Nigeria; Ndukwe Stephen, Nigeria; Olawale Adetula, Nigeria and Halima Yusuf Rabin, also from Nigeria.
“The critics’ companies are South Africa’s Bongani, South Africa’s Dennis Ngango, South Africa’s Nico Norway, among others,” he said. #10 Nigerians, 16 Countries Selected for YouTube Black Voice Funds
