This time last year, Black Women Photographers (BWP) was busy launching a global community and database to help Black women get paid for their work. One year later, the platform is celebrating its anniversary with a new fund that’s continuing that mission. Over the last year, founder Polly Irungu has been a vocal advocate encouraging companies to invest in and hire Black women photographers for various projects through her ever-growing digital database. The movement she started disrupted industries in a way that finally made the world wake up to this overlooked group of creatives, but now its revolutionary nature is taking it a step further with a $40,000 grant fund — in partnership with NikonUSA — and an additional $10,000 worth of photography gear. According to Irungu, there will also be an additional $1,250 grant opportunity from Flickr who is also partnering with BWP. “One year ago today, we launched this global community and directory. ? ,” the platform announced on its...

If we’ve learned anything about Black creatives this year, it’s that they undeniably hold the strength and will persevere even in the face of adversity. During such unprecedented times — a global health pandemic, social reckoning, and an uncertain future — Black creatives have been the backbone of inspiring joy and inspiration. The influence of Black culture is felt everywhere on a global scale — from beauty and fashion to music and entertainment. The Black creatives who have flourished tremendously in 2020 are for sure destined for great things in the new year. Below are just a handful of some of the budding Black creators and media moguls in the making who need to be on your radar for 2021 and beyond: Danielle Young Photo Credit: Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images Journalist, writer, host, and digital content creator Danielle Young is a woman whose talents know no limits. When the pandemic first hit, Young did the one thing she does best — create. Her Instagram Live series, “Real Quick,”...