Creator’s House day one is here, and we’re kicking the day off by ensuring Zillennials are up to date on social issues with the help of social media influencer Lynae Vanee. Known for her ‘Parkin Lot Pimpin’ series on Instagram and TikTok, she brought her energy of keeping it Black and brief with ESSENCE Associate Editor Shelby Stewart.
The NAACP Image Award Nominee is a multifaceted creative who uses her platform to bring awareness to social change for the social media-savvy generation. As a Spelman College and Boston University graduate with a Master’s Degree in African American Studies, Lynae uses her digital footprint to speak on race, feminism, politics, and inclusivity.
“There’s something very special about getting your entire educational process administered through the lens of Black feminists,” Vanee says. “I didn’t appreciate as much coming through school, but it became a fueling factor for wanting everyone to do well.”
Coming from an HBCU background, Vanee has been able to use those foundational elements and implement them throughout her work online and in person, especially through this upcoming election season. “This might sound crazy, but don’t be scared,” Vanee says when discussing Gen Z’ers role in voting. “All the craziness happening [indicates] that we are on the cusp of change.”
Through her social media activism and clickable content, she’s utilized her work to connect with various celebrities and brands, featuring them in content focusing on mental health, social issues and unfiltered conversations that will help advance the next generation. For those looking to get more involved in the new realm of social media activism, Vanee advises Gen Z to remain authentic. “You have to make sure you align with your purpose,” she says. “Trying to do what someone else is doing is not going to serve me.”
As the next generation continues to voice their needs on various social issues, from student loans to on-campus protests, there’s always room for improvement for the next generation. Though the lines can According to data from the Census Current Population Survey (CPS) Voting and Registration Supplement, 28.4 percent of youth ages 18-24 cast a ballot in 2022. That’s significantly higher than the 23 percent of Millennials who voted in 2006 and 23.5 percent of Gen Xers who voted in 1990 when each generation first made up the whole of that age group.
While the voting timeline progresses, Vanee dissected why the 2024 election is crucial to shaping our future. “Gen Z is the first to call out fearmongering,” she says. “What we also need to focus on is that we’re not asking you to have faith in a particular person but to recognize that this election is also about our ability to combat, challenge and impeach members of the Supreme Court if we have someone in office that’s going to move in our direction.”
As Vanee and Stewart closed out their panel discussion, the main advice for Zillennials is to continue to advocate for change and find their voice within the ever-evolving ecosystem. “It’s about moving the needle forward,” she says.
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.