As Black History arrives TikTok is back to celebrate the #BlackTikTok community with the 2024 Visionary Voices List. The annual roster honors creatives, business owners and industry disruptors who make an impact on TikTok.
“Black creativity is boundless, and we are proud to celebrate the brilliance of our Black community with this year’s Visionary Voices list,” says Shavone Charles, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion Communications, TikTok. “From making waves across industries to advocating for Black voices, our visionary #BlackTikTok community continues to elevate Black creativity and drive industry-shifting influence on and off of TikTok.”
The honorees use their inventiveness in the industry to shift creativity while celebrating, praising and shaping Black culture. This year’s honorees are forging new paths in entertainment, beauty, education, health, fashion, food, music and more. Whether you’re an It girl like Aliyah’s Interlude or leading the next skincare brand like Olamide Olowe, read more about these visionaries.
Creators
@Aliyahsinterlude: Aliyah’s Interlude combines her love for music and fashion to make content that’s unique. Coining the term “Aliyahcore,” her eclectic style sparked trendsetting fashion influence on TikTok. Not only is her looks a huge attention grabber, but her single “IT GIRL” catapulted her into multi-hyphenate territory on social media.
@Accessbytay: Taylor Lindsay-Noel is an entrepreneur and creator from Toronto, Canada who uses her platform for change. After a gymnastics accident left her paralyzed from the chest down, Taylor uses her TikTok platform to help educate others on disability and accessibility awareness, all while breaking down stereotypes.
@Misswondroussoul: Ms. Hassan is another creator from Toronto, Canada who combines her passion for teaching and fashion through her alternative teacher outfit content. With her creative flair and dedication to education, she uses her platform to inspire fellow educators and students alike, demonstrating the power of self-expression through fashion in the classroom. Through her videos, she brings a unique blend of style and instruction, making learning a truly engaging experience for all.
@Nyane: Nyane intersects content creation and entrepreneurship. Her eye for fashion and beauty has built an international audience devoted to her authentic style. Through TikTok video series like “Let’s Do My Makeup,” she has popularized an NPC style beauty format that has taken the beauty community by storm.
@Onestopchop: Daven Gates is a home cook originally from Queens, New York, who expresses his love of food and entertainment through his videos on TikTok. He is an Army Vet who uses his platform to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to use cooking as an outlet, utilizing soothing voiceovers to share tutorials and “Back to the Basics” recipes.
Industry Disruptors
@Victoriamonet: Victoria Monét is a GRAMMY-nominated multi-hyphenate creator from Sacramento, California who shares her artistry, adventures in motherhood, and creative process on TikTok. Incorporating her talents as a triple threat, Victoria uses her platform to share stories, encourage fans, and bring people into her world. Notably, her hit single “On My Mama” inspired the viral #onmymamachallenge, which has more than 30 million views on TikTok.
@Cocojones: Coco Jones is a GRAMMY-nominated artist who combines her love for singing, acting and fashion through videos on TikTok. Using her soulful voice as an R&B singer, she gives her fans a peek inside her world.
@Doctor.darien: Dr. Darien Sutton is a board-certified emergency medicine physician born and raised in New York City. A graduate of NYU School of Medicine, he is also a dual degree graduate of NYU Stern School of Business where he simultaneously obtained his Masters of Business Administration. Aside from his clinical practice, Doctor Darien has special interests in public health education through digital media, with vested personal interests in the intersection of racial inequities and healthcare disparities.
@Igobylu: LU KALA is an artist who is destined to break the mold. With a gift for writing pop tracks, the fiery-voiced songstress is redefining what a pop star sounds and looks like. LU KALA has collected over 95 million streams, and her recent single “Hotter Now” charted in the top 10 for Top 40 airplay in Canada during its first week out.
@Jordan_the_stallion8: Jordan Howlett, widely known as ‘Jordan The Stallion,’ is a celebrated content creator with a global fan base. His presence on TikTok has earned him over 12 million followers and over 2.6 billion views, thanks to his innovative content and signature single-zoom-in technique. Founder of The Fast Food Secrets Club, Jordan combines candid storytelling with insider industry insights, resonating deeply with his audience.
Small-Owned Businesses
@Lorvaeeyewear: In 2022, business partners De’arra Taylor and Tara Jones co-founded Lorvae Eyewear, an idealization of De’arra’s passion for sunglasses. Together, they are determined to make Lorvae a household luxury brand for all. With their strategic rollout and killer aesthetics, the duo curated a new brand where customers can snag stylish glasses for any season.
@Pochigoods: Trenton Williams is an Industrial Designer from Los Angeles who has spent over a decade working for some of the top footwear brands in the industry. While in college, Williams had an idea to create what he coined “a modern-day fanny pack” and founded Pochi Goods. He now uses his TikTok platform to show his process from concept to new launches.
@Realmcandles.ca: Danielle Johnson discovered her passion for candle making during the pandemic and channeled that passion into founding Realm Candles, an online store selling handmade vegan candles. As creative director, she also produces relaxing ASMR TikTok videos showcasing the process of candle making and packing orders.
@Theskincarebakery: Kymani Ashanti is a 24-year-old Black business owner of The Skincare Bakery, dessert-inspired skincare goodies, hand-made for luxurious creations. Alongside her partner the two showcase their process of products on TikTok allowing supporters to see each step while answering small business based questions.
@Topicals: Olamide Olowe, a Forbes 30 under 30 inducted entrepreneur and investor, serves as the Founder and CEO of Topicals. Olowe started as an entrepreneur in 2015 when she co-founded the beauty brand SheaGIRL, in partnership with SheaMoisture and later acquired by Unilever in 2017. In 2020, Olamide combined her passion for creativity and love for business to launch Topicals, which is currently the fastest growing skincare company at Sephora and responsible for over $100,000 in donations to various mental health organizations.
About the Author: Kenyatta Victoria is the lead writer for Essence GU, working on all things pop culture, politics, entertainment and business. Throughout her time at GU, she’s garnered devoted readers and specializes in the Zillennial point of view.