#BlackLivesMatter: The young Black activists using social media to lead the fight for equality — Assembly

Follow these young Black women to stay informed and engaged on the movement to end police violence and racism around the world.

Black women have long been pioneers of digital activism. #BlackLivesMatter. #MeToo. #BringBackOurGirls. #SayHerName. All movements that have changed our world. All founded by Black women.

As protests erupt on nearly every continent to end police brutality and systemic violence against the Black community, young Black women are using social media to lead the fight for equality. Through TikTok videos, infographics and mirror selfie confessions, they’re using their accounts to inform, educate and organise their followers.

Read on for eight young Black activists you should be following.

Nupol Kiazolu

Follow her on Instagram and Twitter. 

Youth activist, TV star, pageant queen — 19-year-old Nupol Kiazolu wears many hats.

The NYC native is president of Black Lives Matter Greater New York, leading the group’s activism on civil rights, domestic and sexual violence, and youth homelessness. As a cast member of the BET documentary series “Copwatch America,” Nupol helps expose police brutality in the U.S. And in case that wasn’t impressive enough, the Hampton University student was crowned Miss Liberia USA and was included in Teen Vogue’s 21 Under 21 class of 2018 and The Root’s list of Young Futurists 2020.

Nupol’s feed is decidedly raw and unfiltered. Active on the front-lines of protests in Minneapolis and her home city, she’s determined to show followers what it’s like to be on the ground as a young leader in the Black Lives Matter movement.

What to expect from her accounts: snapshots of her community leadership, press features and powerful captions.

Zulaikha Patel

Follow her on Instagram.

At age 13, Zulaikha Patel helped lead a demonstration to end her South African school’s discriminatory hair policies, refusing to abide by racist policy that considered afro hair unacceptable. “Asking me to change my hair is like asking me to erase my Blackness,” she shared. Zulaikha’s activism sparked similar protests around the country, resulted in a policy change at her school and earned her a place on BBC’s 100 Women List.

Since then, Zulaikha has given speeches about creating social change and spoken out against institutional racism in a post-apartheid South Africa. Zulaikha’s insight and social commentary highlights the ways in which racism, police brutality and xenophobia affect young women all over the world.

What to expect from her accounts: tributes to her role models and OOTDs that celebrate Black designers.

Winter BreeAnne

Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

Howard University sophomore Winter BreeAnne began her journey into activism at 15 years old when she launched Black is Lit, an Instagram page showcasing Black artists, activists and leaders. Since then, she’s helped lead 2.7 million students for 2018's National School Walkout and curated a lesson plan that empowers the next generation fo leaders to be civically engaged, which teachers are now using in 20,000 schools.

In recent weeks, Winter has used her platform to share important updates on the Black Lives Matter movement and demand justice for victims of police violence whose stories go unreported.

What to expect: resources to support the Black community, photos from her many speaking engagements and serotonin-induced dance videos.

Jackie James

Follow her on TikTok and Instagram.

With over 1.3 million followers on TikTok, Jackie James has used her fame to call out hypocritical critics, explain why “All Lives Matter” is harmful and expose racist commenters. It’s easy to see why the 17-year-old has gained such a large following. By using humour and trending audios, she’s able to initiate meaningful discussions that resonate across the app.

Jackie wants to encourage her followers to speak out for the Black Lives Matter movement, because refusing to take a stance means siding with the oppressor. Follow her for sharp takes on some of the most pressing issues facing our world today.

What to expect from her accounts: mirror selfie confessions and call-outs to problematic TikTokers.

Nátaly Neri

Follow her on YouTube, Instagram and Twitter.

Afro-Brazilian creator and influencer Nátaly Neri exists at the intersection of all things wellness — from sustainable living to skincare — but offers a unique perspective by analysing them from the vantage point of race. She started her YouTube channel, “Afros e Afins,” (Afros and Related) to share her knowledge and experiences as an Afro-Brazilian woman and has since become a major advocate for Black women’s representation in the digital space.

On her channel, you can find videos discussing the impact of racism in veganism, the LGBTQ community and other spaces, like feminism, higher education and the workplace. As a member of YouTube’s global Creators for Change initiative, Nátaly produced a video series exploring the experiences of Afro-Brazilian women and documenting the discrimination they experience.

What you can expect from her accounts: videos breaking down stereotypes of Brazilian women, collaborations with other creators and lots of vegan meal ideas.

Naomi Wadler

Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

At the 2018 March for Our Lives in Washington, D.C., 11-year-old Naomi Wadler’s speech asking the world to remember the Black girls and women affected by gun violence resonated with millions of supporters around the world. Since then, Naomi has spoken on international stages like the World Economic Forum in Davos and started her own series on “The Ellen Show” called “DiversiTEA with Naomi Wadler.”

Naomi continues to demand justice for Black girls and women by speaking out about the deaths of Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland and other women killed by police. Follow the now 13-year-old as she fights to end systemic racism in the U.S.

What you can expect from her accounts: photos with other young leaders and reminders not to underestimate the power of youth.

Zyahna Bryant

Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

Student, author, activist and community organiser Zyahna Bryant has been an advocate for racial justice since age 12 when she organised her first rally for Trayvon Martin and other unarmed Black lives lost to police violence. Since then, she has continued to speak out against racism and inequality in her hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia, speaking alongside Senator Bernie Sanders and successfully leading a petition to have the government of Virginia remove a racist war memorial.

On her feed, you can find photos of Zyahna leading protests, on the news and featured in publications from Forbes to Teen Vogue. But in her own words, it’s not fame or notoriety that inspires Zyahna to keep pushing forward. “I don’t need the glitter, glitz, or the recognition,” she says. “I want IMPACT.”

What you can expect from her accounts: book recommendations to help unpack issues of race, her most powerful quotes and reflections on activism.

Jennifer Parker

Follow her on Instagram and Twitter.

Jennifer Parker is an outspoken activist who speaks out against cultural appropriation, violence against Indigenous women and the erasure of Black people in Argentina. Born to an Afro-Argentine mother and an American father, the 23-year-old uses her experiences growing up Black in a country that often perceives itself as white and European to inform her activism. Jennifer is also a talented singer, model and actress who uplifts Black artistry through her social platforms.

In her posts, Jennifer often highlights the importance of intersectional feminism and how being both Black and a woman can create overlapping layers of oppression. Follow Jennifer for insightful and meaningful discussions on what it means to be actively anti-racist.

What you can expect from her accounts: behind the scenes from her modelling gigs, activism in action and deconstruction of racist media tropes.

Hannah Xue

is a former digital associate at Malala Fund. She’s passionate about lox bagels and carefully curated Spotify playlists. You can follow her on Twitter.