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!
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
