VidCon is the mecca of all things digital video. It's literally what it sounds like: a conference for video. It took place in sunny Anaheim, Calif.—yes, home of Disneyland—and it was obvious that Mickey Mouse had to move over and make way for a whole new kind of celebrity: internet stars.
The best and the brightest of YouTube, Vine, Instagram and other digital-video platforms gathered for an annual celebration of the power of online video. And The Root was there!
Interview With Issa Rae, Keke Palmer and SZA
While VidCon celebrates all things digital video, there was a noticeable lack of brown faces on its "Featured Creators " tab on the official site. So I made it my mission to find those creators of color and ask them about their YouTube channel, why it's important and what it means to be a black creator in the digital world.
Meet the black creators below!
Meet #Katblaque! She's a #YouTuber who creates simple content from complex ideas. She breeds inclusion, conversation and social change. Follow her now! Www.youtube.com/katblaque #BlackYouTube #YouTube #VidCon #VidCon2016 @kattyblaque #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 24, 2016 at 1:39pm PDT
Meet @latoyaforever and her hubby @adamwontlose. They run #LatoyasLife on #YouTube. It's all about family and friends and honestly, LaToya is the #Beyonce of YouTube! #BlackYouTube #VidCon #VidCon2016 #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 24, 2016 at 3:04pm PDT
Meet Keith and Kevin Hodge. They are The Hodgetwins on #YouTube. They have the Hodgetwins Vlogs channel and are all about inspiration, fitness and more! Follow them @officialhodgetwins #BlackYouTube #VidCon #VidCon2016 #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 24, 2016 at 3:51pm PDT
Meet @daym_drops, a #YouTube food Titan who is all about flavor and fast food! Check out his channel! #VidCon2016 #VidCon #BlackYouTube #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 24, 2016 at 9:35pm PDT
Meet Amber from @amberscloset. Her #YouTube channel explores coming out and empowerment. She's amazing! #VidCon2016 #VidCon #BlackYouTube #AmbersCloset #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 24, 2016 at 11:08pm PDT
Meet #AhsanteBean! Her creative channel Www.youtube.com/AhsantetheArtist offers conversations on social and racial justice issues. She says it's needed because our voices are often marginalized. Check her out! #BlackYouTube #VidCon #VidCon2016 #YouTube #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 25, 2016 at 7:21am PDT
Meet #Swoozie! He's all about comedy and animation on his channel YouTube.com/swoozie! Follow him! @swoozie #YouTube #VidCon2016 #VidCon #BlackYouTube #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 25, 2016 at 7:41am PDT
Meet the very silly @iromealot of @dormtainment! They focus on comedy that shifts the culture. Follow him and his collective! #YouTube #VidCon #VidCon2016 #BlackYouTube #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 25, 2016 at 8:22am PDT
Meet @tremelvin! His #YouTube channel focuses on comedic commentary. You may have seen and fallen in love with one of his iconic characters, #Watermelondrea. Follow him! #BlackYouTube #VidCon2016 #VidCon #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 25, 2016 at 11:35am PDT
Meet Mac Newell! @letsgetmade; @macislegend His #youtube channel is #Letsgetmadetv. He uses it as a way to help people understand how to get this money! There's enough room for us all to win! Follow him! #BlackYouTube #VidCon2016 #vidcon #YouTubeBlack
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 25, 2016 at 9:46pm PDT
Meet Akeem Lawson! He is a #BlackNerd with an awesome #YouTube channel! @geekheavy follow him! #YouTubeBlack #vidcon #VidCon2016 #BlackYouTube
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 28, 2016 at 9:40am PDT
Meet Kim Williams of @inkspote. She created her entertainment company because she says Black people needed a voice and our stories deserve to be told. Follow her! #BlackYouTube #VidCon2016 #vidcon #YouTubeBlack #YouTube
A video posted by The Root (@the.root) on Jun 28, 2016 at 9:45am PDT