Instagram has always been innovative in its support for other communities. June being a raging month, the gram came up with ways to bolster Pride and Black communities. We already know that they have come up with new features to stand by Pride, and now to show solidarity towards the Black community the social media platform promoted Black-owned business and creators! Let’s see how the Black creators pushed their culture forward, shall we?
Did you get your facts checked? There are so many things that they have started, and they should proudly say “WE DID THAT!” as the creators Scottie Beam, Durand Bernarr, Lady London, Lynae Vanee, and Kahlil Greene have already stated in the video. From music, fashion, soul food, rock n’ roll, aerospace, voguing, swag face and ice in my veins pose, potato chips, politics, to braids like boxer braids and the one you get vacationing on islands, the Black people have largely contributed in terms of any field and trend too! Now, let’s get into details about Juneteenth! By now, you must have a vague idea from the video. Lynae Vanee is here to make it clearer. So, don’t miss out on her video.
As per Instagram, “Lynae is an Atlanta-based creator, poet and former high school teacher who uses her platform and her master’s degree in African American studies to “spill the tea” on topics that she finds have been ignored or misrepresented.”
According to Instagram for Business, “Juneteenth marks the day when enslaved Black Americans in Galveston, Texas were notified of their emancipation. Commemorated every year on June 19th since 1865, Black communities come together to celebrate freedom, remembrance and progress. Juneteenth is a celebration, but it is also a reminder that there’s still a long way to go in closing racial and economic inequality gaps.”
Here’s Sean Williams featured because he’s a proud Black dad. Being the founder of The Dad Gang, his motive is to bust the myth that Black dads are absent or inactive. Instagram has promoted other Black-owned businesses, their founders, and creators too. Let’s have a look at them one-by-one.
Alicea Gay, Program Manager of U.S Black Chambers Inc. provided three inspiring tips to increase awareness about business and product.
Ayris T. Scales, CEO of Walkers Legacy Foundation gave three tips for Black-owned businesses celebrating Juneteenth.
Karamo Brown explains the importance of Juneteenth, especially to Black Americans, and ways to support Black-owned businesses.
Owner & CEO of Down North Pizza, Muhammad Abdul-Hadi talks about his restaurant which is not just any common one but it has a purpose. Quoting Instagram for Business’ view, “Their mission is to reduce recidivism through economic empowerment and opportunity. By employing formerly incarcerated individuals, they’re also able to provide culinary career opportunities at a fair wage.” He also shared three other mission-driven businesses such as Kings Roll Together, Kids of Immigrants, and The Working Remotely. You should definitely check them out!
Lastly, Besidone Amoruwa from Instagram’s creative partnership team hosted Melina Matsoukas, Imani Ellis, and Machayah G. to #ShareBlackStories. Melina is an American director of music video, film, commercials, and television. Imani is the founder of The Creative Collective NYC and The Culture Con. Machayah is the winner of the Future First Reels Challenge conducted by Instagram.
These are just some of the narratives that I’ve curated for you all. There are more out there on Instagram, and every other day Black personalities and their works are shared to encourage people in moving forward and accept the other communities with open arms. It’s high time for racism to end, after all, we’re in the 21st century! It’s significant for us to care more about humanity and march past these barriers. Did you know about Instagram’s attempt for Black designers? If not, then go through Instagram Launched Black Design Visionaries with Brooklyn Museum to Empower Black Designers.
