BLACK HISTORY MONTH & BBC INTERVIEW | WHAT IS IT LIKE TO BEING A BLOGGER/INFLUENCER OF COLOUR

Diversity is the "it topic" today! It seems that society is now realizing the importance of skin colour, gender, sexuality, disabilities. It has been my generation, the millennials, to drive the conversation on diversity. I describe myself as a Black British Ghanaian woman, and diversity isn't a fad for me it is my LIFE. I have experienced discrimination throughout my life. Racism being black, Xenophobia due to my British Ghanaian heritage, misogyny by being a woman. It wasn't or isn't an everyday thing, but I remember so clearly being told to go back to my own country at school. Being confused as I was born in South West London. Yes, my skin was different, and yes my mum made banging jollof rice with succulent plantain, instead of a roast every night. But I am still British, as well as Ghanaian. I have become accustomed to the catcalls by thirsty men on the street, thirsty men sending me unsolicited DM's on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn due to my "exotic" shape. I learnt to roll with the punches, I learnt that I was seen as another in society.

JESS D RICHMOND SHOOT


When I started blogging, I loved that we are all different and celebrated for that.  However, as brands started to recognise the impact influencers have, they have now started to control the narrative. In short, the opportunities for black and POC's (people of colour) influencers are slim, compared to our white counterparts. As sad as this sounds, I wasn't surprised about it at all.

JESS D RICHMOND SHOOT

A few months, ago, I was contacted by the BBC and was interviewed on their podcast #TheNextEpisode to discuss the Black influencer pay gap. You can listen here: The Black influencer pay gap.   It was sad, yet not surprising that other Black influencers are having issues with working with brands nowadays. It now seems that if you don't have lighter skin, a particular hair texture, sound a particular way then you aren't marketable to the wider public. Therefore, you can't or don't deserve to work with brands. To me, that is a damn shame...

A lot of people ask, why are Black influencers struggling to get the same opportunities that White influencers get?  Some have speculated it to, lack of following, lack of network, wrong content for a particular brand etc. Now if we were to dissect this in detail, there are times when an influencer may not be right for a brand, alright cool, it's calm. However, when I see influencers who have huge followings, with strong networks, great and innovative content. I wonder why they aren't chosen?

I have broken it down to a few reasons:
  • The people choosing probably don't want influencers of colour in their campaigns.
  • The people choosing aren't aware of popular influencers of colour or those particular networks and then just choose what they know. 
  • The people choosing, choose people that reflect their reality. 

If some of you don't know, as well as being an influencer, I actually work in social media, I have done for the last 10 years.. As a freelance and working on numerous contracts with huge B2CC and B2B brands, I am in these conversations with brands choosing influencers. I network with a lot of other professionals in the industry and that is why I came up with the three reasons above. There is a lot that can be done to equal the playing field.

  1. First, we need to speak about it. Surprisingly, a lot of people are not aware or play ignorant to the fact that Black and POC influencers aren't getting the same opportunities. Now you know boo. 
  2. We need more POC and Black professionals, there are a lot with amazing talent. They just need to be hired and involved in the decision making, it is 2019, there is no excuse. 
  3. We need to work with brands that recognise and want to work with us, not because they are being told to. 
So that is just my input, say what you will.. but it is 2019 and I think playing field needs to be evened. There is no excuse for some influencers getting more opportunities than others.. it's silly. What are your thoughts on this topic?

JESS D RICHMOND SHOOT

15 comments

  1. It's a very good thing that diversity is the "it topic" today!!! Unfortunately here in the United States we have an unrepentant racist, homophobe and all around bigot squatting in the White House, a political party and television stations that enable and spread his hate, a lot of ignorant racists and haters supporting him, and a lot of billionaires and unethical corporations eager to make more profit by assisting in the demonisation victimisation of minorities and the poor.
    I suspect that the same dynamic plays a part in the disadvantaging of Black influencers.

    You are undisputedly right about the things you listed that need to be done to equal the playing field. More needs to be done to promote equality, opportunity and wealth sharing globally as well. Here in the United States we need to get rid of bigot in chief Trump and educate those who supported him.

    You look regally stunning in all three of the photos of you above - absolutely gorgeous!!!!!! You really rock that pretty dress, and your makeup looks very pretty. You are a very beautiful woman - and that is certainly not any excuse whatsoever for the misogynistic and rude catcalls and unsolicited DMs you have experienced / received.
    All my best wishes for your happiness and success as an influencer, blogger and in all of your endeavours. xxoxx <3

    https://full-brief-panties.blogspot.com/2018/10/last-minute-halloween-excuse-post-with.html

    ReplyDelete

  2. Thanks for your sharing, it helps me a lot and I think I'll watch your post more.
    ………………………….
    Mclub

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey, Your blog is very informative. It is nice to read such high-quality dissertation content. Attractive information on your blog, thank you for taking the time and share with us. The experts of our occupational therapy medical assignment essay help provide you within the time that you provide us. Myassignmenthelp delivers high-quality content related to help with media and entertainment law assignment.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi, this is a nice blog thanks for sharing the informative blog. Myassignmenthelp.com provide the free online proofreading tool for an assist to student queries. Our writers conduct thorough research to provides you with a flawless free online proofreading tool. My Assignment help brings Geometry Homework. Writing an elaborate Geometry Homework is anything but easy and most students lack the tenacity to work on the details accurately. If you get more details Please visit the site through Link.

    ReplyDelete
  5. am here to give my testimony about Dr latifah who helped me.. i want to inform the public how i was cured from (HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS) by salami, i visited different hospital but they gave me list of drugs like Famvir, Zovirax, and Valtrex which is very expensive to treat the symptoms and never cured me. I was browsing through the Internet searching for remedy on HERPES and i saw comment of people talking about how Dr latifah cured them. when i contacted her she gave me hope and send a Herbal medicine to me that i took for just 2 weeks and it seriously worked for me, my HERPES result came out negative. I am so happy as i am sharing this testimony. My advice to you all who thinks that there is no cure for herpes that is Not true just contact her and get cure from Dr maam healing herbal cure of all kinds of sickness you may have like
    (1) CANCER,
    (2) DIABETES,
    (3) HIV&AIDS,
    (4) URINARY TRACT INFECTION,
    (5) CANCER,
    (6) IMPOTENCE,
    (7) BARENESS/INFERTILITY
    (8) DIARRHEA
    (9) ASTHMA
    (10)SIMPLEX HERPES AND GENITAL
    (11)COLD SORE
    HERPES. he also cure my friend from cervical cancer Email: maamtifah@gmail.com or whatsapp hER on +27605775963

    ReplyDelete
  6. أعراض الانزلاق الغضروفي

    آلام شديدة أسفل الظهر وقد يمتد الألم إلى المؤخرة و أسفل الساق.
    آلالام عند المشي لمسافات طويلة.
    تقلصات بعضلات الظهر و الساقين عند المشي .
    عدم القدرة على الوقوف لفترات طويلة.
    الشعور بتنميل أو سخونة أو كهربا في الفخد أو الساق والقدم.
    الأشخاص الأكثر عرضة لـ الالام الانزلاق الغضروفي مركز علاج طبيعي في الشيخ زايد :-

    كبار السن، لأن المادة الجيلاتينية ( الديسك ) في القرص الغضروفي تجف مع التقدم في السن .
    أصحاب الوزن الزائد والسمنة، لأن زيادة الوزن تسبب ضغط على الأقراص الغضروفية بين فقرات العمود الفقري مم يؤدي إلى الإصابة بـ الام الانزلاق الغضروفي.
    السائقون، لأن وضعية جلوسهم الخاطئة لفترات طويلة قد تتسبب في الإصابة بالانزلاق الغضروفي.
    الأشخاص المعتادون على حمل الأشياء الثقيلة طوال عمرهم
    علاج الطبيعي عرق النسا في الشيخ زايد
    ماهو مرض عرق النسا وماهي اسبابه؟

    إن مرض عرق النَّسا او كما يطلق عليه طبيا باسم ألم العصب الوركي، يظن الكثير من الأشخاص أنه مرتبط بالنساء فقط  دكتور علاج طبيعي الشيخ زايد  ولكن هذا مفهوم خاطئ تماما حيث أن مرض عرق النسا يصيب كل من الرجال والنساء على حد سواء، وهذا العصب الوركي يوجد بطول كل فخذ حيث أنه يمر بالأرداف نزولا إلى الفخذ والقدم والأصابع أيضا، والألم


    ReplyDelete
  7. "ISKANDAR LENDERS" ::: Postajete li nekretninama, jeste li utjecaj i trebate li novac za poboljšanje poslovanja, koliko ste prošli sa svojim financijskim statusom i koliko ste sigurni u financijsku budućnost, imamo i kredite za računi bolnicama, zajmovi za visoke tehnološke inženjere za projekte u rasponu od milijardi zajmova za obitelji, sve to i još puno toga <<<<<<
    ☎::::::::::::>+62 822-7404-5059
    Š/A:::::::>+62 822-7404-5059
    e_mail::::::[iskandalestari.kreditpersatuan@gmail.com]

    ReplyDelete
  8. "ISKANDAR LENDERS" ::: Postajete li nekretninama, jeste li utjecaj i trebate li novac za poboljšanje poslovanja, koliko ste prošli sa svojim financijskim statusom i koliko ste sigurni u financijsku budućnost, imamo i kredite za računi bolnicama, zajmovi za visoke tehnološke inženjere za projekte u rasponu od milijardi zajmova za obitelji, sve to i još puno toga <<<<<<
    ☎::::::::::::>+62 822-7404-5059
    Š/A:::::::>+62 822-7404-5059
    e_mail::::::[iskandalestari.kreditpersatuan@gmail.com]

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for the auspicious writeup. It if truth be told was a enjoyment account it. Glance advanced to more added agreeable from you! However, how can we keep up a correspondence? We create together, measure always, and revise often, ensuring your customers stay at the focus. Digital Marketing Services

    ReplyDelete
  10. Nama:::::::::::::::::::::::::::[Queen Jamillah]
    Negara:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::[Indonesia]
    Jumlah:::::::::::::::::::[Rp.9,8 miliar]
    Alamat::::::::::::::::::::[Surabaya]
    W/A:::::::[+6287818697754]
    ☎::::::[+6287818697754]
    e_mail:::::::::::::::::[queenjamillah09@gmail.com]
    Teman-teman orang Indonesia Nama saya Jamiilah saya seorang muslim jika Anda membaca blog selama dua sampai tiga tahun sekarang Anda akan menemukan bahwa saya telah membuat beberapa kesaksian mengenai saya mendapatkan pinjaman dari Bunda Iskandar dan saya memang sangat senang karena memberi tahu semua orang bahwa ibu Iskandar memang pemberi pinjaman yang sangat tulus dan juga saya dapat membuktikan fakta bahwa begitu banyak pelanggan juga telah mendapatkan pinjaman yang benar dari ibu selama bertahun-tahun melalui saya dan saya sangat senang untuk itu [Kesaksian terbaru sekarang adalah bahwa suami saya harus menyusun rencana mendirikan perusahaan mencuri di (Surabaya))))))) sehingga dia juga dapat memiliki akses ke bisnis yang lebih dan lebih berorientasi pada keuntungan yang melibatkan capaital yang sangat besar sehingga saya harus menghubungi Ibu bahkan ketika saya belum menyelesaikan cicilan bulanan terakhir saya sehingga ibu setuju untuk meminjamkan saya dan suami saya karena rencana bisnisnya berorientasi pada keuntungan dan kami harus mengajukan pinjaman sebesar (((Rp. 9,8 miliar) sehingga dana untuk proyek tersebut akan menjadi e Cukup mengejutkan kami, pinjaman saya disetujui oleh manajemen dalam waktu beberapa jam dan setelah beberapa waktu transfer berhasil dilakukan dengan gangguan dari OJK atau lembaga pengatur keuangan lainnya]

    Ibu Iskandar tidak pernah menipu siapa pun atas uangnya,
    Ibu memang pemberi pinjaman yang sangat tulus
    Perusahaan Induk terdaftar di OJK jadi jangan takut
    Ibu Iskandar punya catatan bagus dalam meminjamkan
    Tarifnya sangat bersahabat dibandingkan dengan Bank
    Minimum (Rp.100juta)))))
    Maksimum (((((Rp.100miliar)

    Detail Kontak Perusahaan:
    e_mail:::[[iskandalestari.kreditpersatuan@gmail.com]]]
    COMPANY::::::::::::[Iskandar Lestari Loan Company]]]

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nice post. I learn something new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon on a daily basis.

    my weblog: 대구오피
    (jk)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Amazing unique article direct to the point. Many articles I come across these days do not really provide anything that attracts others as yours, but trust me the way you interact is literally awesome I do respect that so much. I will instantly get your rss feed to stay informed of any updates you make and as well take the advantage to share some vital information regarding the
    10 ROUND GLOCK MAGAZINE FIREARMS which many are not yet informed of it advantages compared to the other rounds. Not over demanding, I will also take the advantage to ask for your permission to join our 179.3k members TELEGRAM CHANNEL
    As to share with us your ideas or any latest update on your blog.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  13. Awesome Post
    Looking for reliable assignment completion? At MyAssignmentHelp.my, we offer top-notch services to help you complete your assignments efficiently. Whether you need assistance in programming, thesis writing, or any academic task, our team of experts is here to provide you with affordable solutions. From delivering quality work to meeting deadlines, our online platform is designed to make your academic journey stress-free. Don't let assignments pile up; trust us to deliver exceptional results and secure your academic success. Avail our services now and experience the best programming assignment help in Malaysia!



    ReplyDelete

Hey guys I really appreciate your comments! Please leave a link to your blog so I can check them out too!