YouTube has launched a $100 million multi-year fund committed to amplifying the voices of black creators and artists on its site as part of a pledge to showcase their stories.
In an official statement yesterday, CEO Susan Wojcicki announced the company’s latest initiative: “One example of the type of content we’d like to elevate on the platform will premiere this Saturday, June 13,”
“We’ll host a live stream fundraising event produced by YouTube Originals (YTO), ‘Bear Witness, Take Action.‘ The YTO will bring together creators, artists, influential public figures, and prominent activist voices for roundtable discussions and musical performances, with donations benefiting the Equal Justice Initiative.”
YouTube’s Spotlight channel will highlight topics of social justice through June, including the latest views from the black community on YouTube alongside historical content, educational videos and coverage of protests.
YouTube has also vowed to continue to protect diverse communities from hate and harassment across the platform. As an indication, last quarter alone they removed over 100,000 videos and 100 million comments for hate and harassment.
Wojcicki also said that the platform “will work to ensure Black users, artists, and creators can share their stories and be protected from hateful, white supremacist and bullying content.”