If there was ever a time to add impactful and empowering Black voices to your social media feed, it’s right now (actually, it was long before now).
This is especially true for non-Black people who are looking to learn and listen – as so many have publicly pledged to do in recent weeks. Following Black change-makers on a daily basis is a smart way to educate yourself on the ever-powerful Black Lives Matter movement, racism, and Black culture.
If you’re looking for fresh, inspiring, and motivational content from some of the biggest change-makers in the Black community, we have you covered.
Kahlil Greene
Despite his relatively modest 9,269 Instagram followers (at time of writing), the world is hearing Kahlil Greene’s voice loud and clear, as evidenced by the thousands of “likes” and comments on his powerful social media posts in response to the Black Lives Matter movement. The 20-year-old Maryland native has made headlines over the past year as the first Black student body president of Yale University (May 2019-May 2020). No doubt, the spotlight will continue to shine on this young scholar.
Instagram: @kahlil.greene
Twitter: @big_kah_una
Ava DuVernay
By now, you’ve probably (hopefully) seen Ava DuVernay’s eye-opening Netflix documentary 13th – and if you haven’t, make it a point to watch it ASAP. The award-winning doc highlights the longstanding history and current state of racism in the American justice system – a system that is designed to repress Black Americans and enslave them in a lifelong cycle. While you’re at it, also check out DuVernay’s mini-series When They See Us and we sure to follow the filmmaker on social media.
Alicia Garza
If you want to learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement, follow one of the inspiring people behind it. BLM co-founder, activist Alicia Garza, continues to make a major mark on the world – all before her 40th birthday. In recent weeks, Garza has made headlines with everything from to her work as the creator of Black Futures Lab, to her takeover of Selena Gomez’s Instagram account with powerful and motivational content.
Instagram: @chasinggarza
Twitter: @aliciagarza
Rachel Cargle
Odds are, you’ve already come across the words of wisdom of activist, writer, and lecturer Rachel Cargle over the past few weeks. Screenshots of her hard-hitting feed have likely either graced your news feed or you’ve shared them yourself. Cargle is the founder of The Loveland Foundation, an organization that offers therapy support to black females – and is a great source of daily insight on the Black Lives Matter Movement.
Instagram: @rachel.cargle
Twitter: @rachelcargle
Martin Luther King III
We’d be remiss if we didn’t include the son of the late great civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther King III. Carrying on the family legacy, King is a passionate anti-racism and human rights activist. He has been in the spotlight in the wake of George Floyd’s murder, shedding his words of wisdom through TV appearances and his social media accounts.
Instagram: @officialMLK3
Twitter: @OfficialMLK3
Mireille Cassandra Harper
Writer and editor Mireille Cassandra Harper has been a source of digestive insight and information during the global Black Lives Matters protests. Her “10-Step Guide to ‘Non-Optical Allyship’” has been shared far and wide on social media among those wishing to truly educate themselves on the cause and become a sincerely supportive and effective ally.
Instagram: @mireillecharper
Twitter: @mireillecharper
Amanda Seales
Comedian, actress, and TV personality Amanda Seales has made some bold and inspirational moves in the wake of George Floyd’s death. Most notably, she announced she would not renew her contract of her daytime talk show The Real just six months into the gig because she said it restricted her ability to speak freely as a Black woman, thanks to a shortage of Black figures on the top.
Instagram: @amandaseales
Twitter: @amandaseales
Janaya Future Khan
If the name Janaya Future Khan sounds familiar, it should. Writer and lecturer Khan is the co-founder of Black Lives Matter Canada and an International Ambassador for the Black Lives Matter Network. In response to the global BLM movement, Khan’s 40-minute video on white guilt and white privilege continues to generate buzz as a must-watch for those in need of some perspective.
Instagram: @janayathefuture
Twitter: @janaya_khan
Ibram X. Kendi
Ibram X. Kendi has been busy educating people on the incredibly important distinction between being “not racist” and “anti-racist.” The #1 New York Times bestselling author’s work includes titles like “The Black Campus Movement,” “Stamped From The Beginning,” and “How To Be An Antiracist.” The esteemed scholar is also the Founding Director of The Antiracist Research & Policy Centre.
Instagram: @ibramxk
Twitter: @DrIbram
Trevor Noah
Comedian, talk show host, and New York Times bestselling author Trevor Noah captivated readers with his debut book Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood before becoming more of a household name on the popular The Daily Show. Noah has become a trusted source of insight in recent weeks, thanks to his thought provoking political and social commentary.
Instagram: @thedailyshow
Twitter: @Trevornoah
