‘YouTube has given people like me the space to share my unique experiences.’ (Photo: Liam Monk)

Last week, Forbes.com released an article revealing the 10 highest paid YouTube Stars of 2018.

At number one was seven year old Ryan, who earned an extraordinary $22 million this year reviewing toys.

While I was stunned that a seven year old earned more in one year than the average person will earn in their lifetime, I was particularly shocked that not one woman appeared on the list.

Many took to Twitter to voice their disappointment, including Lucy Moon, a vlogger/ blogger who tweeted the article with a sad face emoji and the comment: ‘No women’.

Her disapproval, however, was met with some resistance as a number of people responded with, ‘work harder’.

While I would love to use up my entire word count explaining why that response is both reductive and ridiculous, I would be digressing.

As I went further and further down the list I kept asking myself a more specific question: where are the black women?

For many years black people, particularly black women, have been the trendsetters in popular culture and yet have been consistently erased, silenced or denied their just dues.

For example, why do I not see one black woman on this list?

Or, why is it that only two women of colour are CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, with only one of them being a black woman?

Or why is it that black female doctors earn £9,612 a year less than their white counterparts in the UK?

Despite the significant contribution black women have made across numerous industries, from corporate to creative, we have often been denied access to the highest levels or reduced to negative stereotypes such as the ‘angry black woman’ or the uneducated ‘ghetto baby mum’.

Mainstream media and cinema have undeniably played a big role in amplifying these narratives and profited from them for too long.

We are exposed to the multi-dimensional and multi-talented nature of black women, proving that we are, and can be, successful.

However, as many of us are now exchanging traditional forms of media for personal content on platforms like YouTube, a shift in narrative has been able to take place.

YouTube has given people like me the space to share my unique experiences. As a result, we are exposed to the multi-dimensional and multi-talented nature of black women, proving that we are, and can be, successful.

Over the years black women have made it very clear that we are not a homogenous mass but in fact boundless, and will continue to forge and form our own narratives. Thus, I thought it only right to create another list: The top 10 black women killing it on YouTube in 2018.

This list is not to diminish the work of the individuals featured on the original but to simply say, ‘black women on YouTube, we see you and we appreciate you.’

And if any of your particular favourites are missing, please don’t burn me at the stake.

Starting us off is Shirley B. Eniang. She is one of the OGs of YouTube (that’s ‘original gangster’) and she’s definitely the stylish and sophisticated big sister I never had.

Next is Peak Mill. Peak never fails to deliver – her high-quality content and ability to hide things like a new house and baby then return to our screens as though nothing happened still amazes me. Can we call her the Beyonce of YouTube? I think we can.

Aysha Abdul is sweet and makes me feel incredibly calm when I watch her – perfect for a Sunday night.

Patricia Bright, the Brit Pop Princess, is another YouTube OG who has gone on to ad campaigns and magazine covers. Indeed, Patricia Bright is showing us how it’s done.

Chanel Ambrose, I adore; she’s beautiful, funny and has a beautiful family to match – and then there’s Jackie Aina: the queen of reviews and ultimate clap backs on social media … Jackie is everything and then some.

LaToya Forever is a mum and wife and was my go-to when I was stressed at university.

Sophiology is a queen for her style, her elegance and her class and I know she’ll keep going from strength to strength.

And from wig mishaps to fake proposals, Lydia Dinga has been through it all – and I feel like I’ve been through it with her.

Finally, at the top of my list is Nella Rose. Full disclosure: I know her personally and Nella is phenomenal.

She took YouTube by storm with unique conversational content. She’s hilarious and has a heart of pure gold … I am here for all your wins sis!

I don’t think I’m killing it just yet but I am my biggest fan. I pride myself in being in my own lane creating content that motivates, encourages and empowers my viewers.

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All in all, what I do know is that we cannot give YouTube the space to become another place where black women are left on the sidelines or denied their well-deserved applause.

Not on our watch!

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