TikTok's seasonal, identity-led programming is kicking off in 2024 with another app-wide effort to honor Black History Month, including a brand new list of who-to-follow TikTok Visionary Voices, ongoing account spotlights, and various ways to support Black creatives on and off the app.
Building on previous events for Black History Month, AAPI Heritage Month, Latin Heritage Month, and Pride, TikTok's 2024 celebration includes a new Innovate Together Grant Program, a partnership with capital-raising nonprofit Black Girl Ventures. The company will offer $50,000 to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and content creators in the beauty, lifestyle, and consumer sectors, TikTok explains, and applications open Feb. 15.
In-app programming will include homepage spotlights of Black-owned businesses, including Topicals, Pat McGrath, Natural Girl Wigs, and Sorella, and nonprofit organizations Black Girls Code, Raise Fashion, and Black Girl Ventures.
The celebration also includes the app's first #ShopBlack program — hinting at the platform's growing emphasis on e-commerce (read: TikTok Shop) opportunities. #ShopBlack will spotlight Black-owned businesses and Black creators who are generating profit from the TikTok Shop Affiliate program.
Those selected for the app's Visionary Voices list will have their name and image displayed around the country IRL as well, with TikTok's partnership with Screenvision Media (part of the platform's "Out of Phone" branding opportunities) putting honorees in ads appearing in 1,500 movie theaters nationwide.
Last year, TikTok launched the #BlackTikTok campaign, its first-ever Black Visionary Voices creator list, and a series of spotlights for growing Black-owned businesses and creatives, all in an effort to give creative and cultural credit to the community behind most (if not all) of the internet's favorite memes, trends, dances, and music.
Black creators on the app "use their industry-shifting creativity to celebrate, honor, and shape Black culture and history," TikTok writes of this year's Black History Month celebration. "This year's honorees are forging new paths in entertainment, beauty, education, health, fashion, food, music, and more."
Check out the full list of TikTok honorees below: