At FindSpark, we care about equipping and empowering young pros from all backgrounds to succeed in their careers and believe that diversity, inclusion, and equity are some of the most integral values that the professional world can possess. It’s important that this ideal extends beyond boardrooms and hiring pools, and into our lives outside of work, as well.
Meet 30+ Black influencers who are creating inspiring content on Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
If you’re looking for more career, business, tech, creativity, and inspiration to add to your social media feeds, you need to follow them.
Who would you add to the list? Share in the comments!
Ava DuVernay @ava
Ava is an award-winning filmmaker and director responsible for titles such as Selma, 13th, and When They See Us. Her work on A Wrinkle in Time made her the highest grossing Black female director in American box office history.
Officers who kill unarmed Black people often get admin pay, another job, a life of anonymity. Their victims get eulogies.
We have a blind spot as a society in agreeing not to speak these officer’s names. I do not agree to that anymore.
Join @leapaction. https://t.co/jVh65zu6Tc
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) June 8, 2020
Arlan Hamilton @ArlanWasHere
Seen on the cover of Fast Company, along with media mentions in dozens (if not hundreds!) of other outlets, Arlan is the founder of Backstage Capital, a venture capital firm that has invested in over 130 companies led by POC, female, and/or LGBTQ+ founders.
“My name is Arlan. I’m a 37-year old Black woman from Texas, based in LA. Four years ago, I was on food stamps. Today, I have built a venture capital fund from the ground up, and have invested in 100 startup companies led by women, people of color, and LGBTQ founders.”✍🏾
— Arlan 👊🏾 (@ArlanWasHere) July 14, 2018
April Reign @ReignOfApril
After practicing law for 20 years, April founded Reignstorm Ventures, Inc. to challenge the lack of representation of marginalized communities in Hollywood and beyond. One of her most notable campaigns is the creation of the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite.
Consider me for topics related to race, politics & pop culture; #OscarsSoWhite & the power of social media; and the intersection of arts and tech when booking speakers for your school or org! Contact me through my website (link in bio). pic.twitter.com/Er24Wlb9Da
— April (@ReignOfApril) February 14, 2018
Angela Davis @TheKitchenista
Angela, a.k.a The Kitchenista, is a self-taught home cook, food blogger, recipe developer and food photographer, who shares delicious soul food recipes on her blog and social media. Angela also wrote a Thanksgiving recipe eBook and shares video tutorials on IGTV to an audience of over 115,000 followers.
Asiyami Gold @asiyami_gold
Asiyami is a renowned art director, blogger and visual storyteller, and is the founder of A.Au, a clothing and lifestyle brand that “aims to empower women to embrace their history, culture, identity, stay connected to their roots, and to continue to push the narrative of their legacy.” She documents her world travels through beautiful imagery on her Instagram and blog.
Bilphena Yahwon @goldwomyn
Bilphena is a Baltimore-based writer, researcher, organizer and womanist. Her Instagram is filled with gorgeous excerpts from her favorite writers, as well as pieces of her original work.
Courtney Quinn @colormecourtney
Courtney Quinn is a slightly color-obsessed fashionista and blogger. Her work celebrates out-of-the-box style, NYC, and did we mention, tons of color?
Charli Penn @charlipenn
Charli is the relationships & wellness director at Essence magazine, and the Webby-nominated cohost of Yes, Girl! podcast and The Solve Podcast. She has over 10 years of experience reporting on relationships, dating, marriage, sex and weddings.
Cori Murray @corimurray
Cori is the entertainment director at Essence magazine, the host of their Black Women in Music and Black Women in Hollywood awards events, and the Webby-nominated cohost of Yes, Girl! podcast. She is also an associate member of The Recording Academy.
5 Years After ESSENCE’s #BlackOut, America Is Still In A Racial Crisis https://t.co/51Qo1uDJpr via @ESSENCE
— Cori Murray (@corimurray) June 2, 2020
Elyse Fox @elyse.fox
Elyse is a filmmaker and creative producer who also has a killer Instagram presence. Her @sadgirlsclub account gives mental health advice and support to over 286,000 followers.
Ellen McGirt @ellmcgirt
Ellen is a senior editor at Fortune magazine and writes a weekly newsletter on culture and diversity in corporate America called raceAhead.
For anyone who hasn’t signed up yet, crazy I know, you can get my daily dispatch on race and inclusive leadership here: https://t.co/gbIERuBFCo. Race and culture can be a tough topic, but we manage to do the work together. Please join us. #raceAhead https://t.co/Mn7Od6AKpL
— Ellen McGirt (@ellmcgirt) January 9, 2019
Garvin Reid @reidtweendaline
The self-proclaimed “photograpeneur” takes stunning photos across the world. His greatest talent lies in capturing the essence of a moment in a single shot.
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Instagram 👉🏿 Reality Thank you @beauteefullofgifts for being a good sport 🤣 🩱 by: @dezired.dezigns
Jenna Wortham @jennydeluxe
Jenna is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine and cohost of the Times’ podcast Still Processing. Her Instagram is filled with creative inspiration, cultural commentary and stunning photos of her adventures.
Jamila Woods @jamilawoods
Jamila is an award-winning poet and vocalist. She was raised in Chicago, IL and graduated from Brown University. She’s also featured in our article on spoken word artists with inspiring careers because she simply does so much, so amazingly.
Jamila Rowser @jamilarowser
Jamila is a comic book writer and publisher known for her debut award-winning comic, Wash Day, that pays tribute to the beauty and endurance of Black women and their hair. Jamila is also the cofounder of the international meetup group, Geek Girl Brunch, creator of the “hip-hop x geek culture project,” Straight Outta Gotham, and creator of the former blog, Girl Gone Geek.
John Henry @johnhenrystyle
John Henry started his first company at age 18 and sold it by the age of 21. He cofounded Harlem Capital, a venture capital firm that invested in female and POC entrepreneurs. John has been named to “30 Under 30” lists by Forbes and Inc. and Adweek‘s Creative 100.
Kathryn Finney @KathrynFinney
Kathryn is the founder of digitalundivided, a social enterprise that takes an innovative, transformative approach to economic empowerment by encouraging Black and Latina women to own their economic security through entrepreneurship. An Echoing Green Global Fellow and Eisenhower Fellow, Kathryn started digitalundivided after selling her company, TBF GROUP, one of the first influencer media companies.
For those joining me on #SSIRLive , Here’s my recent essay that will be referenced in my talk: https://t.co/UBippMGoNb
— Kathryn Finney (@KathrynFinney) June 2, 2020
Kelly Augustine @kellyaugustineb
With over 106,000 Instagram followers and an appearance in Time Square for a Lane Bryant campaign, Kelly is a fashion professional with a focus on plus-size fashion, Brown beauty and cosmetics, and NYC lifestyle. She has a certificate in Brand Management Experience from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a B.A. in Advertising & Public Relations from The City College of New York.
Kimberly Rose Drew @museummammy
Former social media manager for the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City and author of the recent book, This Is What I Know About Art, you can be assured that Kimberly embodies the intersection between digital and art chic. But don’t take it from us, head to her Instagram for tons of insights about art, lifestyle, and culture.
Kéla Walker @kelawalker
We’re so proud to have Kéla among our FindSpark speaker alumni! The 7x Emmy-nominated TV host and producer slays on the big screen as much as she does on the mobile screen! Her highly (and gorgeously) curated Instagram account has over 96,000 followers, who look to Kéla for health, beauty and lifestyle inspiration.
Kathleen Elie @consciousnchic
Kathleen’s expertise lies in helping followers make environmentally-conscious and ethical choices in beauty and style. On Instagram, Kathleen reviews tons of vegan and eco-friendly fashion and beauty products.
Maya Pope-Chappell @mayapopechappell
Who better to follow on LinkedIn than the lady in charge of making their content awesome? As Managing News Editor of Audience Engagement & Distribution, Maya creates and curates content that empowers LinkedIn’s community of nearly 500 million job seekers.
Michaela Angela Davis @michaelaangelad
Michaela is a writer and activist on behalf of women of color. She’s also been a stylist for celebrities like Oprah and Beyonce. Her work and commentary focus on crafting a more representative vision of female beauty.
Naima Green @naimagreen
Naima is an artist and educator currently living between Brooklyn, NY and Mexico City, Mexico. She holds an MFA in Photography from ICP–Bard and has had her photography exhibited across the United States. One of her latest projects is Pur·suit, a deck of playing cards featuring queer womxn, trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people.
Netta Jenkins @nettajenkins
Netta started her career in entertainment, university career advising, and is now a diversity and inclusion technology professional at IAC Apps. She has been featured in Forbes, among numerous other publications, and is a frequent keynote speaker. She recently joined our panel for a FindSpark Employer Dialogue and can be found on LinkedIn posting real-talk D&I insights and positive career motivation.
Saeed Jones @theferocity
Saeed is a poet, writer and author of two books, Prelude to Bruise and How We Fight For Our Lives. He was nominated for the Lambda Literary Award for Gay Poetry. Follow him on Twitter for pointed, witty, often hilarious commentary.
I wrote an essay for @GQMagazine: “Sometimes, I can’t help but feel that our grief is all this country will let us own. And though I’d very much like to pass onto you something other than this ghostly pain, America, it’s all you deserve.” https://t.co/ZIEN486Byk
— Saeed Jones (@theferocity) June 5, 2020
Steven Onoja @stevenonoja
Steven is a creative consultant, director, and photographer with an eye for stunning, symmetrical shots. His personal style takes us back in time with instances of bowler hats, typewriters and tweed jackets.
Tony Prophet LinkedIn
As Chief Equality Officer at SalesForce, Tony is committed to making the workforce and the whole world more inclusive of all races, religions, ethnicities, and identities.
Teron Foster @yourcareerguy
Teron is a career coach, resume writer, university recruiter at TEKsystems, and FindSpark speaker. Follow him across his social media platforms for great career insights, especially on navigating the transition from college to the corporate world.
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Walter T Geer III LinkedIn
Recently named one of Savoy magazine’s 2020 Most Influential Black Executives in Corporate America, Walter is an inspirational Jack-of-all-trades. He is the senior vice president and group creative director of the creative collective, TBWA\WORLDHEALTH, the holder of six U.S Patents for digital ad formats, and a sport-bike racer, to boot!
Zinzi Clemmons @zinziclemmons
Zinzi is a writer and editor raised in Philadelphia. She studied at Brown and Columbia and recently published her debut novel, What We Lose. Follow her on Twitter for intelligent, thought-provoking commentary on race, culture, politics and more.
If you cannot see that this violence is channeling widespread anger over mass unemployment, black/brown/poor death from COVID, loss of community – in ADDITION TO police violence – that people increasingly feel there is nothing to lose, you are either rich or a Republican.
— zinziclemmons (@zinziclemmons) May 30, 2020
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