October 2025 has been wild for creator news. While you were probably deep in your content calendar, three major stories dropped that every creator: especially Black creators: needs to know about.

Let’s break down what happened, why it matters, and what you can actually do with this info.

1. Grace Wales Bonner Makes Fashion History at Hermès

The News: Grace Wales Bonner just became the first Black woman to lead design at a major European luxury fashion house. The Atlanta Daily World reported that she’s now the menswear creative director at Hermès, taking over after Véronique Nichanian’s 37-year run. IN 20 MF 25, Y’all!

Born in London to a British mother and Jamaican father, Wales Bonner launched her brand in 2014 and has been praised for designs that blend European tailoring with African diasporic aesthetics. She’s won the LVMH Prize, collaborated with Adidas and Dior, and curated exhibitions at MoMA. Now she’s at Hermès.

Why This Matters for Creators: This isn’t just fashion news: it’s proof that representation at the highest levels is possible. Wales Bonner didn’t wait for permission; she built her own brand first, developed her unique aesthetic, and let her work speak for itself.

The Creator Lesson: Stop waiting for validation from traditional gatekeepers. Build your own platform, develop your unique voice, and showcase work that only you can create. Wales Bonner’s success shows that authentic cultural perspectives aren’t just welcome: they’re valuable enough to lead billion-dollar brands.

For Black Canadian creators, this hits different. We’ve seen how our stories and aesthetics get overlooked or appropriated. Wales Bonner’s appointment proves that staying true to your cultural roots while pushing creative boundaries isn’t just viable: it’s historic. This is why spaces / communities like Black Designers of Canada (BDC), a national platform dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and supporting Black design professionals across the country are important. As the first-ever directory of its kind in Canada, BDC highlights the work of Black designers working in a wide range of disciplines including fashion, graphic, interior, industrial, digital, environmental, and more.

2. Black Women Are Leading Digital Activism (And We Should Pay Attention)

The News: Jamila Thompson’s piece in Metro UK highlighted how Black women are driving digital activism in the UK. The article shows how platforms like TikTok and Instagram (might I add YouTube as well) have become powerful tools for Black British communities to challenge injustice, build community, and create change outside traditional media.

Thompson spotlights creators like Patricia Bright, Candice Brathwaite, and Tobi Oredein (founder of Black Ballad), who’ve built independent platforms that center Black women’s experiences. The piece also covers grassroots activists like Kelechi Okafor, who organized free haircuts for Black boys starting school, and Simply Sayo, whose sickle cell awareness campaign recruited thousands of blood donors.

Why This Matters for Creators: This is participatory culture in action: audiences becoming creators and leaders, bypassing traditional gatekeepers entirely. These women aren’t just making content; they’re building movements and driving real-world change.

The Creator Lesson: Your platform isn’t just about entertainment or brand partnerships. It’s a tool for community building and social impact. The UK examples show that combining authentic storytelling with purposeful action creates deeper engagement and lasting change.

For Black Canadian creators, this should feel familiar. We’ve been using digital spaces to share our stories when mainstream Canadian media wouldn’t. From the podcast, the private facebook community, the newsletter and now this new space (for the last 3 to 6 months) BlackCanadianCreators.ca
But Thompson’s article reminds us that we’re part of a global movement. The tactics that work in London: community building, intersectional storytelling, grassroots organizing: can work here too.

Thompson also connects today’s digital activism to pioneers like Claudia Jones and Olive Morris, who founded newspapers and organized communities decades ago. The platforms are new, but the spirit isn’t. We’re standing on the shoulders of giants who understood that media representation equals power.

3. Toni Bravo Shows How to Build a Sustainable Creator Career

The News: Samantha Dorisca’s AfroTech piece covers Toni Bravo‘s journey from Rare Beauty social media coordinator to full-time beauty creator with major partnerships. Bravo went from making skating videos during COVID to working at Selena Gomez’s beauty company to launching her own blush collaboration with Tower 28: Tower 28’s first-ever creator partnership.

The story gets real about the business side: Bravo was doing five brand deals per week when she first went full-time, using each opportunity to learn what she liked and didn’t like. She emphasizes knowing your analytics, working with transparent teams, and understanding that creativity is priceless but partnerships need clear value assessment.

Why This Matters for Creators: This is the blueprint for sustainable creator careers. Bravo didn’t just go viral and hope for the best: she gained industry experience, built relationships, and made strategic decisions about partnerships and team support.

The Creator Lesson: Know your worth, but also know your numbers. Bravo’s advice about studying your analytics and understanding your value isn’t just smart: it’s essential. Too many creators accept lowball offers because they don’t understand their impact.

For Black Canadian creators, Bravo’s story shows the importance of building strategic relationships within the industry while maintaining your authentic voice. She didn’t change her content to fit brand expectations; she found brands that valued her unique perspective.

Her journey from employee to entrepreneur also highlights something crucial: corporate experience can be valuable preparation for creator careers. She learned community building, brand development, and content strategy at Rare Beauty, then applied those skills to her own brand.

What This Means for Black Canadian Creators

These three stories aren’t random: they’re connected. Wales Bonner’s historic appointment, UK Black women’s digital activism, and Bravo’s strategic career building all show the same thing: authenticity combined with strategy creates lasting impact.

For your content strategy:

• Stop apologizing for your perspective. Wales Bonner’s cultural aesthetic became her competitive advantage
• Use your platform for community building, not just personal branding
• Track your metrics and understand your value before entering partnerships

For your career planning:

• Consider gaining industry experience while building your personal brand
• Build relationships with other creators and industry professionals
• Develop multiple revenue streams beyond just brand partnerships

For your community impact:

• Connect your content to larger movements and causes
• Share resources and support other creators
• Remember that your voice has power beyond just entertainment

The Bottom Line

October 2025 proved that Black creators aren’t just participating in digital culture: we’re leading it. From luxury fashion to grassroots activism to strategic business building, these stories show what’s possible when we combine authenticity with intention.

The creator economy isn’t just about going viral or getting brand deals. It’s about building sustainable careers, creating meaningful change, and opening doors for the creators coming after us.

Wales Bonner didn’t just break barriers: she showed that our cultural perspectives are valuable enough to lead billion-dollar companies. UK activists didn’t just build followings: they drove real-world change and community support. Bravo didn’t just make content: she built a strategic career that honors her worth.

Your turn. What story will you create?

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Want to connect with other Black Canadian creators building authentic, impactful careers? Join our community at Black Canadian Creators and check out our upcoming events for networking and skill-building opportunities.