11 Kenyan Content Creators to Receive Ksh 8.5M Funding & Training

A collage of YouTubers Joanne Wanja , Caleb Orem and Wongel Zelalem.jpg
A collage of YouTubers Joanne Wanja , Caleb Orem and Wongel Zelalem.
Joanne Wanja , Caleb Orem and Wongel Zelalem

10 Kenyan YouTubers and producer Brendern Denousse, popularly known as Ukweli, have been selected to join the 2023 latest cohort of YouTubeBlack Voices.

In a press statement dated Tuesday, November 15, YouTube, the eleven are part of 40 content creators and two producers who will be trained on how to improve their channels.

They will also receive funding to the tune of Ksh8.5 million and mentorship on how to grow their audience on the platform.

YouTube logo displayed on a laptop screen
YouTube logo displayed on a laptop screen
Twitter

"As support from YouTube, grantees will receive $20,000 (Ksh2.44 million) and $50,000 (Ksh6.1 million)as seed funding, dedicated partner support for six months.

"They will also have the opportunity to participate in programmes including bespoke training, workshops and networking programmes spread out across the year," the statement read in part.

YouTube Emerging Markets East Africa Managing Director Alex Okosi explained that the initiative is meant to equip up-and-coming Black creators and artists with the resources to succeed on our platform.

“For the creators, artists, songwriters and producers that will be joining this third cohort, we will go beyond the initial training to measure our success with them over a long-term period, thereby ensuring that they achieve sustained success,” Okosi stated.

Below is the full list of the YouTubers and their channels:

Caleb Orem - Ruthless Focus

Agatha Nkirote - Agatha Nkirote

Susan Muriithi - Suzyshomestead

Sebastian Ngida - Kenyan Entrepreneur

Joanne Wanja - Diy with Jojo

Wongel Zelalem - Wongel Zelalem

Juliet Kane - Kane’s Kitchen Affair

Olive Nkirote - ONR

Kate Kendy Wanjiku - Kate Kendy

The 11 will be joined by 15 Nigerians and 15 South Africans including artistes Gyakie from Ghana, Kamo Mphela from South Africa, Asake and BNXN from Nigeria and producer MashBeatz from South Africa.

YouTube will be directly investing in more than 500 creators and artists from across the world to support, grow, and fund their channels and content development through the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.

A lobby branded with YouTube logo
A lobby branded with the YouTube logo.
Glassdoor.com