Streaming giant YouTube has announced its new “Bear Witness, Take Action” live event going down this weekend in an effort to promote racial equality. The 90-minute event is slated to feature a slew of celebrity entertainers having a conversation centered on racial justice.
YouTube x Bear Witness
According to YouTube, the live event goes down Saturday, June 13 evening with hosts Keke Palmer and Common. It’s also the first project from the company’s $100 million content fund aimed at highlighting black voices on YouTube.
Moderators include Jemele Hill, Roland S. Martin and Soledad O’Brien; panelists include Ambers Closet, Kimberlé Crenshaw and Baratunde Thurston; special guests Tremayne Anchrum, Carmelo Anthony, AyChristeneGames, Danielle Bainbridge, Skai Jackson, Jamilla & Que, Jarvis Landry, Alonzo Lerone, Indya Moore, Jeff Okudah, Laviska Shenault Jr., Bryan Stevenson, sWooZie and Wilmer Valderrama. The event will also feature moving musical performances from John Legend and Trey Songz. Viewers will be encouraged to donate to support the Equal Justice Initiative directly on the YouTube livestream.
High-Key Details
On Thursday, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki announced its massive $100 million fund. She detailed the company’s plans to help black communities across the entire platform.
The fund will support the creation of new YouTube Original programming and help with the development of black creators and artists. “We’re committed to doing better as a platform to center and amplify Black voices and perspectives,” Wojcicki said in the blog post. The first project funded by this new initiative will be a YouTube Original special called “Bear Witness, Take Action,” which is slated to air on June 13th at 6PM ET. The special will include activists, YouTube creators, and artists like Jemele Hill, John Legend, and Roxane Gay and will raise funds for the Equal Justice Initiative. (The Verge)
Wait, There’s More
In 2019, YouTube took a huge stance against hatred and controversial content. The powerhouse removed thousands of video content in an effort to clean up its service.
Last year, YouTube enacted a stricter anti-harassment policy to curb hate speech and threats, specifically content that “maliciously insults” people based on gender identity, race or sexual orientation. Last quarter alone, Wojcicki says, YouTube removed over 100,000 videos and 100 million comments for hate and harassment. (Engadget)
Before You Go
This week, family and friends of slain black man George Floyd remembered his life at a Houston funeral. The event went down two weeks after Minneapolis police ended his life during an arrest.
Thousands of mourners, including longtime friends and family members, gathered for the final funeral services at The Fountain of Praise church. Many wore black face coverings and sat apart in the pews as pallbearers brought Floyd’s gold-colored casket up the aisle. (ABC News)