Things are looking to be headed in the right direction for Black TikTok creators when it comes to getting their long-overdue credit with the platform’s latest team addition.
TikTok recently announced Shavone Charles, former director of communications and creative partnerships at VSCO, as the platform’s first-ever head of diversity and inclusion communications.
According to Adweek, the multi-hyphenate creative will “lead all diversity and inclusion communications globally, overseeing the video creation platform’s multicultural campaigns in collaboration with media and diverse creators.”
Although Charles is stepping into a newly formed role at TikTok, the now Los Angeles-based executive is in familiar territory when it comes to being a trailblazer in major tech companies’ diversity departments.
While at VSCO, she led strategic brand partnerships and product campaigns across key consumer interest verticals youth culture, community, diversity/inclusion, entertainment and fashion, according to the outlet. Prior to that role, Charles was the first head of global music and youth culture communications at Instagram. Charles’ resume also lists Twitter, where she became the first head of global music and culture communications. Her time at the social media giant is where she helped to found Blackbird, a business resource group for Black employees & allies.
“If you know me, you know just how dedicated I am to championing and elevating diverse voices,” Charles wrote in an Instagram post. “Throughout every step of my career, it has been my personal mission to create more access and equity for people of color and underrepresented creators. As a Black creator and advocate myself, I am beyond thrilled to join the TikTok team and continue my work in fearlessly supporting and amplifying the stories of underrepresented voices.”
Along with her pioneering work throughout her career, Charles is also the founder of Future of Creatives and Magic In Her Melanin, which both aim to amplify women of color and other underrepresented creators.
