Follow these six Black women activists to elevate your social media feeds

Emerald Pellot
Updated ·7 min read

While the 24/7 (bad) news cycle on social media can be overwhelming, curating your feed with empowering and educational voices can drown out the noise. Maybe you’re a Black woman looking to see more of yourself on the timeline, or maybe you’ve realized you need to broaden the kinds of voices you follow.

No matter who you are, these five Black women activists offer nuanced takes on a wide range of topics including race, gender and LGBTQ+ issues.

Monique Melton is an anti-racist educator, podcast host and speaker. On her platform, Melton offers guidance on how to do the necessary work of dismantling the very racism they benefit from. The expert’s Instagram largely focuses on education for non-POC audiences.

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Black people, especially Black womxn…I love you. I see you, I acknowledge you and I fully support you, forever and always. I’ve spent a lot of time crying and grieving today, especially and I’m here to remind you and myself that what we’re going through is not okay. We don’t deserve to be fighting for our humanity, but here we are. We don’t deserve to be carrying the pain of our ancestors in our bodies, but here we are. We don’t deserve to see our people being murdered repeatedly by the very folks we pay to “serve and protect us”. We don’t deserve to see our people out here protesting and being attacked with violent police force. We don’t deserve to be having trouble eating, sleeping or finding joy because the weathering is so intense. We don’t deserve any of this. We deserve full and total liberation to live fully in our humanity. And while the world wants us to accept the repeated dehumanization of our Blackness as a standard that we live by, but we won’t accept anything less than our full humanity. Black people, I love you…I love us. Take some time to rest, eat, play and do something that brings you joy, today. Take a deep breath (even right now as you read this, breathe in, hold it and let it out) For me, I’ll be watching Black Panther with my family for the 1000th time and get lost in marveling in a depiction of a world where we are free to live fully in our humanity and without the white gaze. And I’ll keep imagining this world while I do my work to make sure that world is our reality some day. It’s not today, but we won’t stop until it is. The revolution is now…but make sure you get some rest too. I love you, Black people.

A post shared by Monique Melton (@moemotivate) on May 31, 2020 at 3:42pm PDT

Model and activist Adwoa Aboah is the founder of GURLS Talk, an online community for young women to discuss mental health issues. Aboah’s Instagram celebrates the beauty of Blackness and womanhood.

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“There’s times when it gets really hard with my kids and I don’t want to get out of bed and do anything at all but something just clicks in my head and says “if they didn’t have you they wouldn’t have anybody so you need to get up and do it” This episode on The Gurls Talk Podcast we invite @fionasmalls – the founder of Young Mums Support Network and two incredible young mums – @yannsc__ and @princessdylan to share their stories of young motherhood and everything that comes with it. Swipe up in my story to listen to this episode.

A post shared by Adwoa Aboah (@adwoaaboah) on Jul 29, 2019 at 6:39am PDT

Ericka Hart, M.Ed., is a Black, queer femme activist, writer and award-winning sexuality educator. The cancer-survivor made waves when she publicly went topless to reveal her double mastectomy scars in 2016. The current adjunct faculty member at Columbia University’s School of Social Work uses her social media presence to educate, inform and inspire others about issues regarding Blackness.

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In middle school, I wore an arm bracelet to commemorate my love and admiration for Erykah Badu. Welp, everyone at school made fun of me, as Erykah wasn’t cool then. Her music has always made me feel like I’m going to be alright. And Jill Scott’s live album changed me on a cellular level. Had me realize I deserve pleasure and that might look like belting her album at the top of my lungs even when it was turned on to be the soundtrack for a make out session (silly cis men). So what I’m saying is that their music moves me. This has been a pretty hard week for me, pandemic and Mother’s Day weekend have me very heavy. ⠀ Thank you for reminding me that I’m (we) going to be alright. #erykahbadu #jillscott #thankgodforblackfemmes

A post shared by Ericka Hart, M.Ed. She/They (@ihartericka) on May 9, 2020 at 9:24pm PDT

Critically acclaimed historian, author and activist Blair Imani uses her platform to center women, global Black communities and LGBTQ+ issues. A bisexual Muslim, there is no shortage of colorful headscarves and hijabs amongst her political commentary, sense of humor and daily musings on Instagram and Twitter.

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Like many of you I am exhausted. I’m running on 4 hours of sleep and even though my body needs more rest my mind will not allow it. My mind is racing and it won’t stop. I’m thinking about the movement, I’m thinking about my role and my work, I’m thinking about what to do with my Instagram since my audience has literally doubled overnight. This is how people get burnt out. I know that, and it feels as though I’m sprinting toward exhaustion. If you keep forgetting to eat, set alarms. If you keep forgetting to drink water, download one of those reminder apps. If you’re like me, and you can’t sleep…please let me know what your plan is so I can do it, too. For now, I’m going to take a nap. Black voices get hoarse, too. See you later today. Until then, head to @campaignzero & @iamderay’s page to see a new initiative that’s been unveiled today. Love you all photo by @akeemomarali

A post shared by Blair Amadeus Imani (@blairimani) on Jun 3, 2020 at 12:31pm PDT

Tamika D. Mallory is co-founder of Until Freedom, an intersectional social justice organization with an anti-racist platform. In 2017, Mallory was featured in the Time 100 as a leading organizer in the Women’s March. The activist’s Instagram is devoted to mobilizing efforts around racial justice.

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The power, beauty, accomplishments and most of all sisterhood in this picture should make you all proud. @eglwinnetwork #eglwinretreat #eglwin

A post shared by Tamika D. Mallory (@tamikadmallory) on Mar 9, 2020 at 4:37pm PDT

In The Know’s very own Senior Beauty Editor Jamé Jackson is an activist who focuses on the intersectionality of race, gender and culture on fashion and beauty. Jackson founded the blog The Blonde Misfit, which focuses on amplifying Black and brown voices in the fashion and beauty industry. Listen to her podcast and follow her Instagram and Twitter for stories, round-ups and, of course, memes.

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The content is fire with or without the validation. The work you do matters, with or without the clicks. You matter, with or without the support or big following. So step out and make it pop, babygirl. The world wants what you’ve got. #theblondemisfit • • • #ootdblackwomen #rosettagetty #dolcegabbana #therealreal #blackgirlswhoblog #psblogger #nycblogger #plussizefashionblogger #blackgirlswhoblog #therealreal #psootd #stylebook #ootdblackgirls #blackwomenwhostyle #streetstyle #currentlywearing #aboutalook #styleinspiration #nyc #newyork #carriebradshaw #girlswithglasses #womenwithcurves #womenwithlocs #fallstyle #allwhiteoutfit #fashionaddict #fashiontrends #shoeporn #personalstyle #streetstyleluxe

A post shared by Jamé J. — #BlackLivesMatter (@theblondemisfit) on Jan 22, 2020 at 5:33pm PST

If you found this story helpful, check out 7 essential books to read that will educate you and your kids on anti-racism.

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