YouTube is stepping up and we are excited to see some changes in programming starting with Keke Palmer and Common. This past Thursday, the well-known platform announced a multi-year $100 Million fund dedicated to Black creators and artists. It’s an initiative that aims to help amplify Black voices and perspectives.
YouTube’s first project from the new fund announced Bear Witness, Take Action, a 90 minute special aimed at inspiring the platform’s global community to take action for racial justice. Led by Keke Palmer (Hustlers) and Common (The Hate U Give), the YouTube Original program includes roundtable discussions and panels with journalists, artists, writers, lawyers, activists, athletes, and YouTubers, plus special guests Carmelo Anthony, Asante Blackk, Sterling K. Brown, Skai Jackson, India Moore, Bryan Stevenson, and Wilmer Valderrama, among others. John Legend and Trey Songz will also perform.
The social network is also cracking down on hate speech and harassment. In the last quarter alone, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki says, YouTube removed more than 100,000 videos and 100 million comments. “That said, we know there’s more work to do,” she added. “I’m committed to listening—to black employees at YouTube, to black creators, to black artists, to leaders in the black community, and to black users who tune in to YouTube every day.”
The site will host a livestream fundraising event along with the special, with donations benefiting the Equal Justice Initiative. Bear Witness, Take Action premieres this Saturday, June 13 at 6 PM ET/3 PM PT.
