We talk a lot on here about “big sites” or “big brands” and what they are doing on the web. We do keep an eye out for smaller start-ups that are doing their thing, and there have been quite a few popping up lately (or that we have been taking notice of lately), so we decided make a quick list of the ones that we think are “ones to watch”.
5. BlackBottom.com
BlackBottom.com could easily be called a “Black YouTube.” While the site upgrades continuously one feature that I particularly like (outside of the funny videos I often find there) is their mash-up with Google Maps.
4. BrokenCurve
While I just came across this company recently I would liken it to an “Urban” Brightcove. The company as a whole offers a variety of service though the most interesting and impressive is their video platform. Not only do they have their own destination, BrokenCurve.tv, they are responsible for powering video on various other sites as well.
3. eVIPlist.com
You are probably already familiar with this site, and you should be. The social bookmarking site popular among bloggers and event promoters was literally neck-in-neck with another frequented social bookmarking site up until June. More on that later. What is most interesting about eVIPlist is the novelty of use social bookmarking in a new way thus essentially making it a new tool and making people take notice.
2. Yoonew.com
Yoonew is like the stock market for sporting event tickets. They call themselves and “electronic exchange” versus an e-commerce play because the prices of tickets reflect true market vaue in real-time. Interesting right? You can read more on how it works here. How is this Black? Well…it isn’t but it is owned by CEO Gerry Wilson who is and you know we love to support.
1. BlackObserver.com
While the site has not officially launched yet, Ben Wilson the sites founder was kind enough to give me a sneak peek. Out of all the many sites that exist for the African-American community that revolve around news and information I can say he’s got it right. Hopefully we can get a Black Web 2.0 official sneak peek before the site launches.
You will notice we don’t really have any content sites on the list. Each of the sites included use technology to support the content, transactions, or interactions that are core to their product. These are our “Top 5″ what are yours?
August 6th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
This is a good list of sites there. Hopefully BlackObserver will have something good to show. My Top 5 Sites are:
1. http://www.hbcuhighlights.com
2. http://www.thesiac.com
3. http://www.globalgrind.com
4. http://www.rushmoredrive.com
5. http://www.Dancejam.com ( its good to see hammer getting on the web)
August 6th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Interesting list. I’m keeping an eye on eVIPlist. I’ll have to check out the rest. Thanks.
August 6th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
eVIP is the black digg, except you’re guaranteed face time on the front page and as long as you’ve got good content you’ll get hits. We love it. Who would’ve thought it would have transformed so much from back in the day
August 7th, 2008 at 9:24 am
You should check out http://www.njlivingcolor.org — a great cultural website started in New Jersey–would be nice if other states could do the same. (The foundation hosting the website is co-chaired by Oprah’s Stedman Graham).
August 7th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Still waiting for someone to do something different and not just take an already existing site and make it “black” or “urban”
August 7th, 2008 at 8:48 pm
I was thinking the same thing GreasyGuide… Those are just clone sites… I could do that myself…
August 7th, 2008 at 9:08 pm
If you are interested in sports information from America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities, please visit Onnidan’s HBCUSports Online. We’ve been covering HBCUs for the past 11 years.
Eric Moore, Webmaster
August 7th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
@Tiffany: Thanks for that link cool concept though the foundation could work on the design, etc. I could see this working from state to state though.
@GreasyGuide, @BlackAdTalk: Yoonew or BlackObserver are not clone sites. The others have specific content that is supported by the platforms they have chosen.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:00 am
I really am inspired by the number of Black-owned websites being launced.
There are also ‘Social Entrepreneurs’ in the community who are trying to do their thing too.
All in all, anything to raise the aspirations and encourage progression is a positive!
Check out http://www.school-info4u.com