The second annual TikTok Visionary Voices Black Hollywood Brunch was a lively affair at Hotel Bel-Air in Los Angeles, bringing together some of the internet’s favorite content creators. This event served as a celebration of TikTok’s 2024 Visionary Voices List, which recognized 15 Black creators, small business owners, and disruptors from various industries.
During a panel moderated by TikTok’s #BlackTikTok community manager Alexzi Girma, Canadian pop star LU KALA, one of the honorees, expressed her feelings of unity and love in a room filled with fellow creators. The panel also featured discussions with other 2024 honorees, Jordan Howlett and Daven Gates, who shared their experiences of finding their voices on TikTok and the importance of community.
Howlett, known for his humorous takes on life and viral interactions with celebrities like Method Man and The Rock, highlighted the lack of guidance he faced growing up as the only Black kid on his baseball team. Despite this, TikTok provided him with a platform to connect with millions and inspire conversations.
LU KALA, reflecting on her journey as a Black female pop star, emphasized the struggle for recognition and breaking down barriers for future generations. Gates, a father who showcases positive fatherhood in his cooking videos, aims to challenge stereotypes through his content.
The event also saw the presence of beauty influencer Jackie Aina, who emphasized the importance of representation and uplifting the Black community by advocating for others in various spaces.
In addition to LU KALA, Howlett, and Gates, the 2024 Visionary List includes creators such as Aliyah, Taylor Lindsay-Noel, and industry disruptors like Victoria Monét and Coco Jones. The list also recognizes small-owned businesses like De’arra Taylor and Tara Jones, Trenton Williams, and Danielle Johnson, among others.
TikTok’s initiatives celebrating Black creators during Black History Month include showcasing this year’s honorees in theaters across the nation as part of the Out of Phone: Cinema partnership with Screenvision Media.
The event left attendees hopeful for the future of Black creativity in digital media and entertainment, with LU KALA expressing excitement about the potential for even more Black excellence in the industry moving forward.
Overall, the TikTok Visionary Voices Black Hollywood Brunch served as a platform to honor and amplify the voices of Black creators, small businesses, and disruptors, highlighting the diversity and creativity within the community.
