YouTube has announced a multi-year $100 million fund dedicated to “amplifying and developing the voices of Black creators and artists.”
CEO of YouTube, Susan Wojcicki, outlined in a blog post what the company plans to do to help support the Black community and do better as a platform. The fund will support the creation of YouTube Original programming and amplify Black voice and perspectives.
“We recognize we need to do more, in particular with the Black community, and that is why we are committing to following actions,” said Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube.
The first use of the fund will be a livestream event called “Bear Witness, Take Action,” which will air this Saturday, June 13. The platform will bring prominent and influential figures from the Black community for roundtable discussions and musical performances and will raise funds for the Equal Justice Initiative.
Through June, the Spotlight channel will highlight justice issues, including the latest perspectives from the Black community on YouTube alongside historical content, educational videos, and protest coverage.
The platform will also examine how its policies and products are working for everyone — but specifically for the Black community — and close any gaps.
“There is much work to do to advance racial equity in the long-term, and these efforts will continue in the months and years ahead,” commented Wojcicki.
