In a sea of misinformation, heated cultural arguments, and active erasure of historical information on different communities online, Black Gen Z content creators are working to show how Black History can always stay on the algorithm.
Take, for example, Taylor Cassidy. who has been creating content since 2020, when she was just 17.
Talking with Cassidy about her content career and its beginnings revealed the foundation for her history videos.
“I was in a history class, and it would feel like every time I walk into that class when we’d be covering topics like enslavement and people of color, it was hard hearing certain stereotypes and not historically accurate explanations of slavery and how it impacted things.”
This milestone, along with hitting 100,000 followers on TikTok, sparked the start of the “Fast Black History” series, in which Cassidy showcases historical Black figures, movements, and events through reenactments and quick facts. She now has over 2 million followers on TikTok and 465,000 on Instagram.
@taylorcassidyj What’s your favorite Eartha Kitt moment?
#earthakitt#blackhistory#hollywoodhistory#blackactresses#pov
Out of all her Fast Black History stories, the one Cassidy was most excited to share was a video on Eartha Kitt.
“At the time, I had learned that she went to the White House for a luncheon, and she spoke up about real issues that were happening in the Black community. She’s an icon, so not only was I excited to dress up as her and interpret this moment for storytelling purposes, but also I think her story really reflected the times we were in, about speaking up about what matters.”
Cassidy is always advocating for the preservation of Black History through her content, which landed her on Time’s inaugural 100 Most Influential Creators List and led to the publication of Black History Is Your History, a book extension of her video series.
“It’s not only fighting for our rights and keeping our history alive, but we can also see ourselves in these stories and in these figures and realize that we can make history as well. It’s not just something that’s stuck in the past; they’ve given us the blueprint to do it again and make positive change.”
Here are four other content creators who make history the trend you need to know right now.
Kahlil Greene
Labeled the “Gen Z” Historian, Greene highlights stories rooted in Black culture and general historical information, reaching more than 694,000 followers on TikTok and 378,000 on Instagram. Starting with his video series on Martin Luther King Jr. quotes, with an emphasis on his pacifist quotes, Greene highlights stories such as how protesting gun violence helped spark the American Revolution and how K-Pop is rooted in Black American culture.
“The goal in all of my videos is to make sure that the information is valid, that the viewer knows that it is valid, and that I’m not doing it for clickbait or to elicit an emotional response,” he shared with EBONY in 2021. “I am doing it to share history.”
The Yale graduate has worked with CNN, PBS, Bleacher Report, and more, and won a Peabody Award in 2024 for his micro-documentary The Hidden History of Racism in New York City. Through his work, his intentionality in providing factual information about current events and history is essential to keeping our stories alive.
Alandya (@ebonyarchival)
(@ebonyarchival)Better known as EbonyArchival on TikTok and Instagram, Alandya sheds light on Black historical figures and conversations with a Black historical context. The main series on her page explores the history of Black American Princesses (B.A.P.S.), highlighting their achievements and status as the it girls of their time. Through her work, Alandya has been featured as a speaker at North Carolina State’s TEDx program and amassed over 69,000 followers on TikTok and over 14,000 on Instagram.
Isaiah Dupree (@zaydupree)
@zaydupree how androcentrism creeps into our language #language #linguistics #accent other great videos abt similar topics @glassmuseum @etymologynerd ♬ original sound – zay
Isaiah, otherwise known as ZayDupree on TikTok, is known for his linguistic content. Isaiah’s content spans from pinpointing where someone is from based on different language traditions to highlighting how language and dialect intersect across cultures and history in the United States. His content has reached over 478,000 followers on TikTok and has garnered the attention of celebrities like Lizzo, Bob the Drag Queen, and more.
Clayton Edward (@clayy.edward)
@clayy.edward Replying to @Clayton #fypシ゚viral #blackhistory #africatok #blacktiktok ♬ BETA 777 – beaty
Clay, or Clayy.Edward on TikTok highlights Black history, current events, and niche subjects in the Black American South. Amassing over 222,000 followers on TikTok, he posts content ranging from talking videos about current events to skits about Black Southern life and the experience of living in the Black South.
As more content creators battle the ever-changing social media landscape, creators like these help ensure our stories, voices, and experiences continue to make way.