Twitter’s Influence on the Black Web

by rahsheen

October 24, 2008

The use of beepers, 2-ways, sidekicks and other communications devices enabled the black community to organize and get things done like never before. There was a time when rap and hip-hop videos were how you found out about the latest tech gadgets. Communication via mobile messaging has made our world much smaller. Through the use of Twitter, we can now make new connections on-the-fly and make things happen even faster. Here are just a few of the people on Twitter that have an influence on the black web.

Wayne Sutton

Wayne describes himself as a New/Social Media Technology Evangelist, IT & Mobile Consultant. There are not many things going on in the Social Media & Tech community that Wayne is not directly involved with or well versed in. If you say you’re into social media and web 2.0, you probably know Wayne. If you don’t know him, you might want to step your game up and subscribe. I won’t draw a comparison between Wayne Sutton and Robert Scoble, but I’m sure you get my drift.

Corvida

Another titan in the social media/tech community, Corvida is actually how I found Twitter in the first place. I was doing some research and came across her blog at SheGeeks.net. In addition to blogging at SheGeeks, Corvida is a ReadWriteWeb Writer and Social Media Co-ordinator. Definitely a pillar of, not only the black web, but the social web in general.

Justin.tv

Michael Seibel, CEO of Justin.tv, is one of the few black CEO’s in Silicon Valley. We just recently interviewed Michael here on Blackweb2.0. Justin.tv is one of the hottest spots for live video and social interaction. Follow Justin.tv on Twitter to find out what’s going on with the video community.

blogdiva

Liza’s Twitter name says it all. Blogdiva extraordinaire, Liza is quite active on Twitter. She is a political blogger of the highest calibre, combining the facts with a sense of humor. Definitely worth a follow if you’re looking for news and discussion about issues affecting our community.

jsmooth995

Jay Smooth is the genius behind the ill Doctrine hip-hop video blog, creator of the hip hop music blog and founder of New York’s longest running hip-hop radio show, WBAI’s Underground Railroad. Not only is Jay an authority when it comes to hip-hop, but he has also provided some thoughtful insight into topics like no-homo and how to tell people they sound racist.

Category: Strategy, web 2.0 | Tags: black web, blogdiva, corvida, jsmooth, jsmooth995, social media, twitter, wayne sutton

Rob

That’s some interesting points you have raised. I wonder if its going to stick. Anyways I learnt something new all the same.

TheMoJo1969

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blackhippychick

Hi I have compiled a list of 100 African American and Black Twitters. You can link to the list here: http://blackhippychick.wordpress.com/2009/03/07...

Corvida

Rahsheen, thanks for the nod in my direction. You made a great list of people that will definitely reach out at any given time if they're on the web. Thanks for the extra links Lynne!

Lynne d Johnson

Great post...and though you did say your list represented a few, I thought I'd go wider and introduce people to an even wider diversity.

Some of these folks have been blogging since before 2000, or on Twitter as far back as it began, or they are regular speakers at SXSW or other tech-related conferences and panels. Even some of these folks were major players at urban and black sites prior to the dot-com bust of 2001.

And then yes, there are the music and entertainment industry folks who have come on in the past year or so. As well as some major entertainment bloggers.

And just major heavy hitters altogether.

Here are just a few:

George Kelly (AKA Allaboutgeorge) - Online Expert at Contra Costa Times and Early Blogger with heavy ties to Silicon Valley communities.

James Andrews (AKA Keyinfluencer) - VP in digital at major PR firm former music industry exec and one of the executive team members of UBO.

Chuck Creekmur - HNIC allhiphop.com, major writer and talking head in hiphop and urban music and culture.

Twanna Hines (AKA funkybrownchick) - Relationship blogger and writer, heavy player in building your rep and personality online. Heading up a major panel at the upcoming SXSW.

Rebecca Waler - political activist, author of many books, teacher, daughter of Alice Walker. And she was probably prompted by folks like me, and well Barack Obama.

Ellen McGirt - senior writer at Fast Company, a regular on TV, and launched CassandrasRevenge.com, an award-winning investor education Web site for women in 1997.

Theda Sandiford (AKA BondyGyrl) - Was the head of many digital marketing operations at many major labels (most known for her roles at Def Jam and working with Russell Simmons on other digital strategies). Now runs her own thing and consults many urban and entertainment media companies.

Kelsey Ruger (AKA the moleskin) - Director of Web Operations and Creative Services for Houston based Pop Labs, and has written and spoken extensively about technology.

N'Gai Croal - Level Up (gaming blogger for Newsweek) and all around journalist.

And someone already mentioned Danyel Smith, EIC of Vibe, and then her husband, Elliott Wilson, former EIC of XXL and partner with the Ego Trip guys who created books and shows like Miss Rap Supreme and The White Rapper, is on there too.

I could go on with this exercise for days.

Anyone else you think should be added to the list?

Rahsheen

I wanted to include those who were not only followed by many people, but who you could actually reach out to and get a response.

Also, feel free to actually link to the profiles you believe should have been included. Lists are automatically exclusive and I would appreciate any help in linking those you believe may have been forgotten.

Cathrynmarie

not to mention don lemon and rick sanchez drop twitter on a regular on their shows on cnn

Cathrynmarie

Vibe Magazine Editor & Cheif, Quest Love and a host of other chat worthy folks are on twitter - why are they always overlooked when "who's on twitter" post are made?

Ananda Leeke

Great post. I love what Wayne, Corvida and Liza do. They inspire and teach just like Black Web 2.0.

Fredric

Great post. Was just about to put something up on the ubiquity of vlogging. Micro-blogging is running strong at the moment.

Interestingly, though, is that if you acquire enough followers and make enough updates, this really just feels like a refreshed version of IRC.

I mean, after a certain point, its a giant room of people posting links and short opinions.

Amazing how the instant gratification our lives suddenly start to revolve around was tapped into the 'genius' of the 140 character paradigm.