A new group of emerging content creators have been selected for the second edition of Hoorae and Walmart’s ‘Black and Unlimited’ digital development programme.
The program aims to provide content creators from diverse backgrounds with the necessary resources, membership, and exposure to “unleash their full potential and pave their path to success.”
The incoming class will receive a $10,000 stipend to help them focus on unlimited discovery and creativity. The group will take a trip to Los Angeles to participate in a weekend workshop where they will explore their fields and then have the opportunity to work with Walmart to create exclusive content throughout the year.
Eight creators were selected to participate in this year’s group: Chiana Antonio (Washington, D.C.), Jamal Moore (Upper Marlboro, Md.), Nia Etienne (Washington, D.C.), Love (Boston, Mass.), and Darrell Wyrick (Phoenix, Mass.). Arizona), Basil Lewis (New York, NY), LaShel Smith (Los Angeles, CA) and Georgina Edeonciri (Newark, NJ).
“Through this initiative, we hope to discover and support talented creatives who have been underrepresented in the industry,” Monique Francis, head of marketing at Hoorae, said in a press release announcing the new collection. “We believe that by providing the necessary resources and opportunities, we can help them succeed and make a lasting impact on the media landscape.”
The “Black and Unlimited” program, which launched in 2022, is just the latest effort to improve equity and inclusivity in the entertainment industry by both Walmart and Hoorae, the media company led by Issa Rae. DJ Vaughn, director of multicultural media partnerships at Walmart, noted that after seeing the positive impact on the inaugural class of creators, it was important for the program to return — and for their collaboration to continue — for a second edition.
“In partnership with HOORAE, we have the unique ability to connect creatives with resources and tools they may not otherwise have access to, so they can succeed in their field,” Fu explained. “We see tremendous potential in continuing to develop this program and look forward to continued success in year two.”