Community Shoutouts & Why They Matter

Y’all, something beautiful happened on the BCC Instagram a few weeks ago, and I’m still buzzing about it.

I dropped a simple question: “Who’s an underrated Black creator in your niche that we should all follow?” and the response was everything. Like, genuinely everything. Our community showed up, showed out, and reminded me exactly why this work matters.

But here’s what really got me, half the comments were people proudly tagging themselves. And you know what? Good for them. Because if you don’t hype yourself up, who will?

Here’s What Went Down on Our IG

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A post shared by Black Canadian Creators | Podcast & Hub (@blackcanadiancreators)

The energy in those comments was unmatched. We had creators from every corner stepping up:

Finance folks like the person who dropped “Meeee for personal finance 💰” and @katricejustice shouting out financial literacy creators. Because Black wealth-building content? We need more of that visibility.

Travel creators getting their flowers, with @travelnichekish and others sharing how they’re documenting our experiences across the globe, showing that Black joy travels, and travels well.

Lifestyle and wellness creators tagging themselves and each other, including @wordswmichelle who said “I love sharing inspiration from fellow #blackcanadianchangemakers on my blog and podcast.” That cross-pollination? Chef’s kiss.

YouTube creators talking travel, locs, remote work, and lifestyle design. One person wrote, “Can I tag myself? I’m a YouTuber talking travel, locs, remote work and lifestyle design”, and honestly, the fact that they asked permission to celebrate their own work broke my heart a little. Tag yourself, always.

But what really hit me was seeing creators across niches, from stylized art and designer toys to immigration advice for thriving in Canada, all claiming their space in the same thread. The diversity of what we create, the problems we solve, the communities we serve? Incredible.

Why This Matters More Than You Think

Look, this wasn’t just a feel-good moment (though it absolutely was that). This kind of community amplification actually moves the needle in measurable ways.

Black creators face documented barriers in the creator economy. We’re talking about earning 35% less than white counterparts, dealing with algorithmic bias, and being held to impossibly high standards while watching mediocre content from white creators get celebrated as “authentic” and “relatable.”

When Black creators, especially Black women, post the same casual, imperfect content that gets white creators praised for being “real,” the reception is drastically different. The bar is higher, the grace is thinner, and the opportunities are fewer.

But here’s where community shoutouts become revolutionary:

Every tag, every share, every “you should follow this person” comment disrupts those systems. When our community deliberately seeks out and amplifies Black creators, we’re not just being nice, we’re actively countering algorithmic bias and creating the visibility that leads to brand partnerships, speaking opportunities, and sustainable income.

The Self-Tag Revolution

Can we talk about the creators who tagged themselves? Because that energy is exactly what we need more of.

@whiz_queen wrote “@sabienjoy they curate travel experiences for your enjoyment 🥰”. Or, @richardcazeau shared: “@porschenoirclub It’s a new movement that’s never been done in Canada and it’s 🔥🔥🔥. Plus their creators are 💪🏾💪🏾🏆🏆🖤🖤”

For too long, we’ve been taught that self-promotion is somehow unseemly, especially for Black women and marginalized creators. But you know what’s unseemly? Waiting for recognition that may never come from systems that weren’t built to see us in the first place.

When @itsmellew dropped “Ok ok… I’ll tag myself” followed by a list of other incredible creators, that’s modeling the exact behavior we need: uplift yourself AND lift others as you climb.

The Niche Breakdown

What struck me most was the breadth of expertise in our community:

Personal Finance: Multiple creators focused on financial literacy, investing, and wealth-building: crucial voices in a space where Black financial wellness is still underserved.

Travel & Lifestyle: Creators documenting our experiences, showing that Black joy is portable and our stories deserve to be told from every corner of the world.

Business & Entrepreneurship: From marketing consultants to brand strategists, creators sharing the knowledge that builds empires.

Art & Creative Expression: Visual artists, designers, and creative entrepreneurs showing that our aesthetics and perspectives shape culture.

Immigration & Settlement: Creators like @jemi_laja making videos on “how immigrants can thrive in Canada”: filling gaps that traditional media often ignores.

Health & Wellness: Fitness coaches and wellness advocates centering Black bodies and Black wellness in their content.

Each of these niches represents not just individual success, but community empowerment. When a Black creator in personal finance grows their platform, they’re potentially helping thousands of people build generational wealth. When travel creators show our experiences, they’re expanding what’s considered “normal” travel content.

What the Comments Taught Us

Reading through every single response, a few patterns emerged:

Collaboration over Competition: Creators were genuinely excited to shout out others in their space. @ladyash___ tagged multiple creators at once. The abundance mindset was real.

Cross-Pollination: People weren’t just staying in their lanes: finance creators were supporting artists, travel folks were hyping business coaches.

Regional Pride: Seeing Canadian creators specifically getting love reminded me why platforms like ours matter. We need spaces that understand our specific experiences.

The Power of “Me Too”: Every self-tag was permission for someone else to claim their space. That ripple effect is how movements build.

Community Picks: 20 Standout Black Canadian Creators

We celebrate creators beyond just numbers—impact, consistency, and community. You tagged them, we listened. We favoured folks with an established presence (think 2K+ or widely recognised in their niche). This is just a sample—the Black Canadian Creator Directory has even more: Explore the directory.

1. @charismaggietv – Food, lifestyle plus creator tips.
2. @travelnichekish – Global travel inspiration.
3. @bwdikpodcast – Award-winning, bi-weekly podcast
4. @itsmellew – Visual storytelling & authentic lifestyle.
5. @iamliberty – AI, Content Creation and Strategy
6. @preciousdelightscanada – 3D Print enthusiast, digital artist and crafting. 
7. @beingmimi_xox – Self-love, fashion & daily life.
8. @wordswmichelle – Blogger, podcast host & cultural commentary.
9. @_nattyp – Award-winning travel journalist, speaker and on-air personality.
10. @papi_gtv – Comedy & relatable sketches.
11. @niyascoilyworld – Natural hair & self-confidence.
12. @curlygxddess – Travel, fitness, model and good eats.
13. @themayormedia – Entrepreneurship, biz tips & branding.
14. @carnivalbae – Caribbean culture & festival coverage.
15. @ladyash___ – Makeup, beauty & positivity.
16. @haleycobran – Visual creative, photography & storytelling.
18. @bossupyourbrandacademy – Business coaching & brand growth.
19. @progressivehealthandfitness – Wellness & fitness tips.
20. @sincerelydivine.ca – Mindset, lifestyle & digital inspiration.
21. @arronln – Comedy creator & digital humour.
22. @queenthecreator – Visual arts, crafts, and creativity.lik
23. @jemi_laja – Immigration & thriving in Canada.

Want more? Browse hundreds of voices across niches in our directory and connect with creators near you.

Keep the Momentum Going

Here’s the thing: that Instagram post was beautiful, but it can’t be a one-time thing. Community building requires consistent, intentional action.

Your homework (and I’m assigning homework because this matters):

✅ Pick one underrated Black creator from a different niche than yours and engage with their content this week. Not just a heart emoji: actual engagement. Comment, share, tell someone about them.

✅ Tag yourself in something. Seriously. Practice claiming your space. Share your wins, announce your projects, celebrate your expertise.

✅ Make “amplification” part of your regular posting schedule. Once a week, use your platform to highlight someone else’s work.

✅ Support with your wallet when possible. Buy their products, book their services, join their communities. Economic support is the ultimate amplification.

The Bigger Picture

What happened in our comments section is a microcosm of what’s possible when we intentionally center Black voices and experiences. Every creator who tagged themselves, every person who shouted out someone else, every supportive comment contributed to a moment of genuine community building.

But the real impact happens when this energy translates into sustained support. When those tags turn into follows, when follows turn into genuine engagement, when engagement turns into economic support and collaborative opportunities.

The creator economy is still figuring itself out, and we have the power to shape it into something more equitable. Not by waiting for platforms to change their algorithms (though they should), but by building our own systems of mutual support and amplification.

Your Turn

So, who’s the underrated Black creator in your niche that we should all be following? Drop their handle in the comments, tell us why their work matters, and don’t forget: if that creator is you, tag yourself with pride.

Because community grows when we lift each other up, and there’s no time like the present to change someone’s trajectory with a simple share.

Check out more incredible Black Canadian creators in our directory, and let’s keep building the community we want to see.

Who are you tagging today?