Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) has directed telecom operators to suspend access to Telegram during specific hours, aiming to prevent students from sharing answers during national exams. The move follows Kenya’s ongoing efforts to curb exam-related misconduct using encrypted messaging platforms, with CA pointing to Telegram’s lack of full cooperation in its regulatory requests. Why Is Telegram Targeted? Telegram, which has over a billion users worldwide, has become a tool for communication in Kenya, thanks to its encryption and ability to host large chat groups. However, the CA argues that this
Khaby Lame, the wordless comedian known for his witty, reaction-based TikTok videos, remains the platform’s most-followed creator with an impressive 163 million fans. As he continues to entertain and connect with audiences globally, Lame’s massive influence is now a powerful force in the creator economy—a sector worth $250 billion and expected to nearly double to $500 billion by 2027. TikTok’s Top Creator Holds Strong Amid Growing Competition Despite intense competition, Lame has maintained his position at the top, a feat that speaks to the universal appeal of his content. While
The Hollywood Reporter’s “Creator A-List: The 50 Most Influential Influencers” highlights digital stars reshaping entertainment through innovation and influence. Black creators on the list are leading the way, proving their value through cultural impact and trendsetting content. Here’s a look at the Black influencers making their mark on this year’s list. Kai Cenat (@kaicenat) At just 22, Kai Cenat is a force to be reckoned with on Twitch, where his comedic content and live streams have garnered a massive following. Notable for featuring rappers like Lil Baby, 21 Savage, and
Every UK Black History Month, we shine a light on Black British-owned businesses making a difference. This year’s standout is Frobelles, a UK-based dress-up game championing the beauty of afro hair. Created by mother-daughter duo Yvonne Ottley and 12-year-old Alyssa Ottley, Frobelles has over 100,000 users and recently made its debut in the US. The Birth of Frobelles The idea for Frobelles was sparked by a simple question from Alyssa, who was just six years old at the time: “Why don’t any of my game characters have Afro hair like mine?” This question
Registered non-profit organization Darkies in Tech has launched a new website designed to drive inclusion by providing a centralized platform for professionals of color within the South African tech industry. Founded by Ntsako Mgiba in February 2021, Darkies in Tech has become the largest vetted community of its kind in South Africa, with over 450 members, including founders, investors, and ecosystem builders. The community has consistently hosted educational and social events aimed at creating a more inclusive environment for Black professionals in tech. Addressing Exclusion in South Africa’s Tech Scene
Former Spice Girl Mel B is backing a new campaign for Unicode to introduce emojis with Black hairstyles. There are over 3,790 emojis available today. However, none feature popular hairstyles Black people wear, like afros, braids, cornrows, or locs. The Campaign for 4 New Emojis The campaign, launched by youth-led nonprofit RISE 365 and Good Relations PR, calls on Unicode to introduce four new emojis that reflect Black hairstyles. Unicode is the organization that decides which emojis are distributed worldwide. RISE 365 tasked its young members with creating the designs.
Brazil’s Supreme Court has lifted its ban on X—formerly known as Twitter—after its owner, Elon Musk, complied with key legal demands. The decision ends a lengthy standoff between Musk and Brazilian authorities. X Returns for Millions of Brazilian Users Brazil is one of X’s largest markets, with an estimated 22 million users. The platform had been suspended in Brazil since August 30 for not blocking accounts that spread false information and failing to appoint a legal representative in Brazil, which is required by law for foreign companies. According to a
This week, Techish hosts Abadesi and Michael talk about the challenges of promoting yourself on social media while staying authentic. They dive into gender norms, entrepreneurship, pricing strategies, and balancing personal vs. business branding—all while navigating the pressures of social media. Promoting yourself on social media (00:00) Zero to a million: How to make (and keep) money as an entrepreneur (09:50) Building a personal vs business brand (17:35) Navigating social media, vulnerability, and business exposure as a woman (21:15) Listen to the episode You can find the Techish podcast on Spotify,
Emmy-winning actress Kerry Washington has invested in Spill, a Black-owned social media platform that aims to create safer spaces for historically marginalized groups, including LGBTQIA+ and people of color. Founded by two former Twitter employees, Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell and DeVaris Brown, Spill positions itself as a next-generation social platform that puts culture first. Kerry Washington Backs Spill With Spill, Washington is not only an investor but also an enthusiastic user. “In a digital world where marginalized groups, especially Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA folks, rarely feel prioritized, Spill stands out,” she shared
Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill (AB) 1511 into law that mandates state agencies develop plans to increase advertising spending in media outlets serving California’s diverse populations. The legislation, authored by Assembly member Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles), aims to address historical underfunding by directing state advertising dollars to these essential media outlets. Expanding State Support for Diverse Media According to the Latino Media Collaborative, California is home to more than 300 ethnic media outlets, which serve as critical sources of information for the state’s diverse communities. However, many of these
