These 7 Columbus, Georgia, social media influencers have nearly 5 million followers
If you’ve spent even a few minutes online, you know you can’t escape the ubiquitous presence of the social media influencer. Columbus is definitely making its mark in the digital space and has its own slate of successful social media entrepreneurs. Their content ranges from art, to cooking, to skincare but it still speaks to our local culture.
Columbus’ own social media stars represent a growing majority in the trade of online content, and the profession is expanding exponentially. In fact, The White House has even created a professional position which supervises the direction of creator partnerships, and Wired Magazine estimates the industry as a whole is worth a whopping $16.5 billion.
These local artists have a substantial online following, and are exceptional testaments to Columbus’ versatility. This is the future, and these Columbus creators are on the forefront of some of the most important (and excuse the pun) influential moments of our contemporary culture.
Sonja Collin - 4 million Tik Tok followers
A Columbus native, Collins creates cooking content that makes users feel like they are in the kitchen with her. She says of her online fame, “If I had planned on it, it probably wouldn’t have happened,” but she’s found a loyal following by not adhering to any rules. She just does what feels right.
Ashley Mixon - 488.6k Tik Tok followers
A former model, Mixon has carved out a place for herself in the skincare market by performing the “Mixon Method” which she is translating into her own skincare line. She explains, “The Mixon Method is inspired by the Korean Beauty Method which is using hydrating toners to flood the skin with hydration: skin flooding!” Her new endeavor, Afterglow, “is my first skincare product that was created in my kitchen! After months of experimenting, I have found the formula, which is to be used after your skincare routine, hence the name: Afterglow.”
Amy Sherald - 198k Instagram followers
Sherald may live in New York City now, but she was born in Columbus and her art “documents contemporary African American experience in the United States through arresting, intimate portraits.” Hailing from Columbus, she was inspired by another artist on this list, Bo Bartlett. Her media are portraits and photography, and her art encourages debate about notions of race and acceptance.
Bo Bartlett - 76.1k Instagram followers
Perhaps one of Columbus’ most well-known artists, Bartlett’s online presence is probably the least of his contributions to the creative space. The Bo Bartlett Center for Art is located on the Downtown CSU campus and is a dynamic laboratory for aspiring artists. His advice to artists of all sorts: “I encourage you to find common ground with one another. We don’t need to always be right, to always make masterpieces, to always be on top... we only need to listen, to learn from our mistakes, to be open-hearted and open-minded... and keep moving forward.”
Davian Chester - 83.4k Instagram followers
Chester is the artist behind the wildly successful Instagram page, Real Toons, in which he has developed a specific point of view into the Black experience. He says, “my black experience brand came naturally from my surroundings, friends, current events and my life.” He is also fairly well known for calling out Google for their lack of a Juneteenth illustration, resulting in his work being featured as the Google banner in 2019.
Sammie Saxon - 31.8k Instagram followers
Saxon began his career as an intern at a local lifestyle magazine, SVM, but quickly became indispensable for his creative eye and holistic approach to the work. He has photographed some of the most famous people in the world, but his work remains grounded and personal. He also contributed to Columbus’ Black Lives Matter installment in 2020.
Katie Jacobson-Dion - 13.2k Instagram followers
Jacobson currently resides in Hawaii, but she was born and raised in Columbus. Her art is a testimony to fleeting moments, and her works “evolve around the evanescence of time and the uniqueness of short-lived experiences and moments.” Although she has accrued quite a following, she is always mindful of her intentions and the effects she has on the world.
Did we overlook your favorite local influencer? Contact us at srose@ledger-enquirer.com.
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