📡 The Smartest Creators Aren’t Just on Instagram & TikTok—They’re Building on Platforms That Prioritize Them
Mainstream platforms profit from culture but rarely uplift its creators. As DEI rollbacks continue, these platforms prioritize Black, LGBTQ+, and underrepresented voices.
Valentine’s Day is here, which means some of y’all are deep in love, and some of y’all are deep in denial. Either way, let’s talk about another relationship that might not be serving you—your commitment to platforms that don’t prioritize you.
Because while you’re busy posting, engaging, and creating, they’re out here breadcrumbing your reach, ghosting your visibility, and gaslighting your engagement stats.
Social media platforms and creators have always had a complicated relationship—one built on endless dedication, late nights, and unpaid labor… but with very little commitment in return. It’s like being in a one-sided situationship where the algorithm love-bombs you one day and ghosts you the next.
But here’s the thing: You don’t have to break up completely—you just need to stop being exclusive and change the way you’re thinking. The smartest creators aren’t abandoning Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube, but they ARE exploring new spaces—ones that actually prioritize them, invest in them, and give them the visibility they deserve.
The Black-Owned Platforms Making Moves Right Now
If you’re serious about expanding your influence (read: impact) and securing new monetization streams, these platforms should be on your radar:
1. Fanbase (Founded by Isaac Hayes III)
A platform where creators can monetize their content immediately, with a model that supports both free and paid followers.
Unlike YouTube, where you need 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours before you can earn a dime, Fanbase lets you start making money on Day 1.
Who should use it? Content creators, influential voices, coaches, podcasters, consultants and small businesses who want to start making money without waiting on brand deals or platform restrictions.
2. Spill (Founded by former Twitter execs Alphonzo Terrell & DeVaris Brown)
Designed as a real-time conversation app that thrives on culture-first engagement.
Built with Black Twitter in mind (the good parts), but open to all marginalized communities looking for a platform that gets it.
A more curated experience than X (formerly Twitter)—meaning you won’t randomly stumble across Kanye’s latest explicit post you never asked for.
Who should use it? Writers, social commentators, meme creators, and anyone who misses the energy of early Twitter before it got weird. Or just wants to play a virtual hand of spades!
3. Why?! (Co-founded by Maya Watson & Lexi Nisita)
Unlike Spill’s fast-moving, real-time discussions, Why?! is built for deeper, intentional conversations.
Think of it as the group chat we all need rn —but with real people and real answers creating actual engagement. Instead of endless scrolling, users post questions and responses, creating discussions instead of quick reactions.
Built for meaningful engagement, making it a great space for thought leaders, educators, and creators who want more than surface-level content.
Who should use it? If you’ve ever wanted a social media experience that feels like you don’t have to be “on” or performative—this is for you.
Who Says You Have to Be Exclusive?
Who says you need to be exclusive? Testing out new platforms is like dating—you don’t have to commit right away (unless you’re Ne-Yo, in which case… maybe you commit to all in an open and communicative way 👀). But in all seriousness, keeping your options open lets you see who treats you better before you invest all your energy into one or two platforms.
Why Creators Should Start Expanding Now
These platforms aren’t just alternatives—they’re opportunities.
Right now, mainstream platforms are paying creators more than ever (like I broke down here). But if history has taught us anything, that won’t last forever.
What will last? A direct relationship with your audience.
Here’s why moving early on Black-owned platforms makes sense:
✅ More Monetization Options – Many of these platforms allow direct-to-creator payments, subscriptions, and revenue sharing that mainstream platforms are only now trying to catch up on.
✅ Less Algorithmic Nonsense – You aren’t competing with corporate-driven algorithms that change weekly and bury your content.
✅ Stronger Brand Positioning – Brands looking to authentically connect with diverse communities will be paying attention to where culture is actually happening.
🚨 The creators who expand to include building communities on these platforms will be the ones who benefit the most.
Three Ways to Start Using These Platforms Right Now
If you aren’t ready to fully transition, that’s fine. But you should be experimenting.
1. Diversify Your Content Strategy
Start repurposing content from Instagram and TikTok onto Fanbase and Spill.
Try answering multiple questions on Why?! to see what resonates with others.
2. Use These Platforms to Build a More Engaged Community
Stop relying on IG & TikTok comments for community-building. Instead, start using Why?! to spark deeper conversations and build community.
Consider moving exclusive content or live chats to Fanbase, where you can actually monetize them.
3. Showcase Your Influence for Brand Deals
If brands want to tap into culture-driven platforms, they’ll need creators who are already there.
Use engagement data from these platforms in your brand pitches to show why you’re uniquely positioned and bring more to the table than audiences on the traditional platforms.
The Bottom Line: Love Yourself Enough to Build Where You’re Valued
Platforms will always chase what’s trending, but as a creator, you have to chase what’s sustainable. The goal isn’t just to go viral—it’s to build something that lasts, on a foundation that actually supports you.
Black-owned social media apps are creating spaces that actually serve the people who drive culture. The question is: Are you going to wait until the mainstream decides it’s profitable enough to care—only to find yourself playing catch-up? Or are you going to move now, evaluate and build where you’re valued?
Big tech platforms will always reward what benefits them most (as we’ve consistently seen). So, will you keep chasing the algorithm, or start building where you’re actually valued? The smartest creators already know the answer—they’re acting on it.
So, start small and test things out. And drop me a line if you want to discuss more!
thank you for including us *cries*
Oh This is da one!! NOT DA 2 🔥🔥🔥