TikTok has just announced its inaugural Visionary Voices List for Africa, with four Kenyan content creators making it to the top 15 talent list.
Visionary Voices is set up to honor outstanding individuals and next-gen stars who are shifting industries across the diaspora while leading in groundbreaking innovations, viral trends, elevating African music and culture, transforming entertainment spaces, and enhancing cultural representation.
It also aims to highlight the significant impact these honorees have on media, their peers, entertainment, and cultural representation across the continent.
The creators are celebrated in three categories: Creators, Small-Owned Businesses, and Industry Disruptors.
Gracing the prestigious list from Kenya under the Creators category is sports content creator Arap Uria, who boasts 1.6 million followers on the video-sharing app with over 5.9 million overall likes.
Alongside him is US-based Kenyan comedienne and storyteller Elsa Majimbo, who is a household name on the app with over 1.8 million followers and 41.2 million likes across her videos.
In the Small-Owned Business Owners category, we have Mwangi Muthoni, the genius behind Dreadlocks Nairobi.
The skilled hair maestro gained traction due to his expertise in natural dreadlocks and aftercare advice.
Also in this category is Bolo Bespoke, a trendy fashion designer known for vivacious and unique designs, who has amassed a following of close to 81k on TikTok.
These creators were selected and honored due to their ability to captivate their audiences with original, well-tailored, engaging, and dynamic content, expanding the possibilities of what can be achieved on the platform.
The Small-Owned Businesses category honors entrepreneurs who use the platform to showcase their unique products and services.
These businesses are revolutionizing their industries and demonstrating that vision, creativity, and success are intertwined.
The Industry Disruptors category recognizes individuals who are challenging conventional industries with innovative perspectives. These pioneers are reshaping their fields and driving positive change, placing Africa on the global map.
Other notable content creators on the list include Nigerian artist Burna Boy, Swazi-born DJ and record producer Uncle Waffles, and South African Chad Jones.
Speaking about the list, TikTok's Head of Content Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, Boniswa Sidaba, said, "The Visionary Voices List Africa celebrates the extraordinary talent and innovative spirit of the African community. These 15 individuals have made a profound impact on and off the platform. Their dedication to cultural representation and innovation is truly inspiring."
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