In celebration of Black History Month TLA highlights some of our favourite brands and how they are celebrating the Black British community in what has been a historic and troubling year.
2020 has been a decisive year for the Black community and its supports. After protests took place around the world following the murder of George Floyd at the hands of US law enforcement, people and brands alike are looking with fresh eyes at the systemic issue of racial inequality.
Black History Month UK is an annual event that celebrates the contribution made by the generations of those of African and Caribbean descent living in the UK, who have helped shape Britain's national and cultural life. And, as a month that celebrates Black history, 2020 is certainly one for the history books. In light of this TLA has pulled together some campaigns from our favourite brands.
Instagram: #ShareBlackStories
Fronted by actor Ashley Walters, Instagram has partnered with some the UK’s most iconic black voices, who have been sharing who has inspired them, shaped the black British experience, or who they feel deserves recognition via IGTV. Other notable people driving the campaign include the author of BRIT(ish), Afua Hirsch comedian Dane Baptiste, the award-winning author, Yomi Adegoke and fashion designer Walé Adeyemi.
Bumble: #MyLoveIsBlackLove
Research done by social app Bumble shows that more than 3 in 4 Black people in the UK (79%) think there is a lack of relatable images and stories about dating as a Black person in the UK. In response, leading black British artists, actors, athletes, entrepreneurs and activists, are working with the dating app brand to better document Black Love and to share what love means to them. #MyLoveIsBlackLove aims to better represent the breadth of Black Love in a real and uniquely British way.
TikTok: #MyRoots
For the month of October, TikTok has unveiled #myroots, an in-app and out-of-home brand campaign that tells the stories of TikTok creators and artists as they celebrate their Afro- Caribbean heritage. The campaign features the likes of singer and songwriter Cat Burns, football freestyler Jeremy Lynch, personality and queer Creator Lily Rose, actor Michael Dapaah and Bedford- based comedian Sherice Banton.