How to continue to support Black bloggers once Amplifying Melanated Voices isn’t trending

Ok. In the last few days, I have gained nearly 600 new followers and while I
appreciate it, I know partly it is because the “trend” is to amplify melanated voices and mine is oh so very loud. But it has always been loud and I have always produced great content. A lot of my new followers are White. A lot of the new shares and reposts are from White bloggers. White bloggers with huge followings. I really do not want to judge because it does NOTHING but I cannot help but ask myself:

But where were you before?

I see all these White bloggers or Latinx bloggers with HUGE followings sharing about accounts like Influencing in Color and I think to myself, “this is nice but why now”. Unfortunately, I already know the answer to that question and instead of chastising, I hope this post helps you figure out how to support black bloggers and influencers once the trend to do so is over.

I definitely am struggling between being thankful and being disappointed that it took ALL OF THIS for us to be SEEN, HEARD, and SUPPORTED.

But let’s do some work instead because at the end of the day what we do in the here and now is what matters:

How to support Black bloggers and influencers once the trend is over

Amplifying melanated voices is the current action step trend in the wake of the push to eradicate racism. Many have called onto White people to not only say they are allies but to put action behind their words. Many prominent White bloggers and influencers have been criticized for their lack of using their platform to voice this human rights issue. So now they are going hard with it. While it is nice to see, will it last?

I have hope. Because hope is all we have. It is the only thing that was left in Pandora’s Box and without it we have nothing. But I would not be me if I did not do my part in offering ways for White bloggers to continue to help level the playing field in the influencer/blogger industry.

1. Stop going on these huge PR trips with brands that NEVER invite Black or Brown bloggers. Force these brands to change their tactics and make it harder for them to continue to ignore us.

2. ASK who the brands are inviting to these trips or events before accepting.

3. If you do not see a diverse mix then REFER other dope Black and Brown bloggers that would be great ambassadors.

4. Stop just following your friends or bloggers that look like you. Expand your horizons.

5. Also do not just follow but engage with the posts. Most of us follow you because we love your content, are inspired, or like to support so we see how often you all support each other. Branch out and support others too.

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6. Follow publications outside of the luxury ones or those geared more towards those that look like you. Start following Essence or Crwn Magazine to name a few. This will allow you to learn and educate yourselves.

7. Take a smaller numbered blogger or influencer as your plus one to an event to make connections.

8. When you are looking to purchase a product, see if there is a Black-owned business that you can get it from instead and TAG them. Example: Want to buy new lipstick? Check out the Lip Bar or Mented cosmetics. Or better yet, check out this list of Black Owned beauty brands.

9. Although this comes across funny based on this post BUT start adding Black and Brown bloggers to your follow Friday posts without announcing you are featuring Black and Brown bloggers. Also do the same in your product and clothing round ups.

10. Make presets that work on all skintones and do not just test them on lighter complexions. Black and Brown bloggers want your presets too without having to do SO much work to adjust them.

11. If you are a brand and working with a PR company to help find influencers for your campaign, do not just choose the White or light complexion bloggers. Do not do it for Brand Affirmative Action but because the Black dollar is STRONG and you need and should show appreciation for it by showing representation.

12. If you are a brand, DEMAND that PR companies come back with diversity and demand they do the research and work to find all types of bloggers. Yes not just Black but different ages (unless your product is age specific etc), sizes, body shape etc

13. If you are a brand, DEMAND to see the makeup of a PR or Influencer marketing’s employee base. Is it diverse? Question companies on this. Hold them accountable. Also, just hiring women is NOT being diverse. White women is NOT being diverse.

Harper’s Bazaar’s round up of Black bloggers for follow now:

p.s. I will be doing my own list to include more plus-size, curvy, under 20K creatives who are dope!

But this is a GREAT list also: Bloggers to Follow

I am ending this post here but this will be a living document and I will continue to add as I think of more ways that you can support black bloggers and as I learn of more ways. In the meantime, please continue to DO THE WORK and please continue to support Black bloggers. Whether it is for the trend or to not lose popularity, I appreciate the effort.

About the Photos

These are a mix of photos taken by me of me and pictures taken by my husband. I had a vision and went with it and I love how everything turned out. This hat is from Shop Reddress and I have linked it HERE.

We took these in our backyard. Eventually I will post some behind the scenes photos and videos captured by myself and our 4 month old daughter. Yes you read that right 🙂

Outfit Details

All outfit details can be found HERE

Earrings are from Black and Haitian owned: KADOKELE

Lipstick: Black female owned The Lip Bar lip liner mixed with NYX Filler Instinct

This particular shirt I am wearing is a DIY. I took scissors and cropped a denim shirt I already owned.