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Zora’s Black History Month campaign spotlights Black Web3 artists
This edition of NFT’s Driving Change spotlights Zora’s Black History Month campaign featuring nine Black Web3 artists.
I think Sunday mornings are for lazy breakfasts and good reading in bed. But if early signs of spring have started to appear in your part of the world, please read up and get on some grass! While I can’t promise you a good read, I guarantee something thought-provoking, something inspiring, or maybe even a glimmer of hope. It’s a bright sunny day over here in Norwich and my heart is full in a way that only bright sunny mornings can (live in England for five months and you’ll start to appreciate the sun more).
welcome to NFTs drive change— a bi-monthly column where I highlight projects and creators using NFTs and other Web3 tools to create real-world impact. In this edition, I want to introduce you to NFT marketplace Zora’s Black History Month campaign celebrating Black Web3 artists.
Web3 is promising. But where is the representation?
Over the past two or so years, Web3 has come a long way. The sector is developing with fantastic new projects, better visions, new actors, and what not. Nevertheless, representation is still lacking. Sure, today there are more individuals from underrepresented communities in Web3 than there were two years ago – but it’s not nearly enough.
In fact, a recent report by BCG X, the Boston Consulting Group’s technical build and design unit, and the People of Crypto Lab highlighted Web3’s gender diversity problem. according to reportonly 13% of Web3 startup include a female founder. Similarly, a 2022 report found that 62% of crypto owners are white men. Another said black women wear makeup only 4% of crypto investors globally.
Nevertheless, the good news is that people are taking notice. More and more projects are actively encouraging diversity and inclusion in the space. The latest addition to this is the Black History Month campaign by NFT marketplace Zora.
About the Black History Month campaign by Zora
Friday 17 In February, Zora launched its Black History Month campaign to uplift nine Black Web3 artists. The campaign, titled “The Let Out”, is a celebration of artists and creators shaping Black Web3 history and future. Created in collaboration with queer multi-disciplinary artist, Brittany Pierre, the campaign will feature nine timed open issues.
Under Pierre’s curation, the Black History Month promotion will run until mid-March, with one NFT dropping each week. More importantly, Zora will give 1 ETH to each artist through its curation program. Aside from Pierre, participating artists include Ilitch Peters Aaron Ricketts, Jamee Cornelia, Jah, Latasha and Tuan.
One of the works of art currently living is Jamee Cornelia’s BLQR. A movement-mixed media collage, the piece is a “love letter” to the “Black Queer and Trans Community in Atlanta”. Also, Cornelia will donate 50% of the proceeds to Southern Fried Queer Pride and House of Alxndr.
To be sure, this campaign is very similar Queer Museum of Digital Art (QMoDA)’s artist grant program launched last month at Zora. It supported 10 queer artists with 1 ETH each.
How it all started
Interestingly, the Black History Month campaign started with a tweet from Pierre:
“You know what would be really cool? If a big project or platform had a really cool drop of African-American artists that they commissioned in this space to do a few pieces and airdropped them to the holders for BHM. Assignments that in paid 10-20 advertisements 2-5 eth each.”
Almost a month later, that vision has now become a reality. In fact, the above tweet itself is available as one NFT to mint.
Commenting on the campaign, Dee Goens, founder and COO at Zora, added, “…at Zora we have always been focused on building the tools needed to bring diversity and creativity to the chain.”
Hopefully, other Web3 projects and platforms will follow suit with such important initiatives. That said, campaigns like this would be more effective if they involved more women and LGBTQIA+ artists.
If you loved this, be sure to check out our previous editions of Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova and Rejell’s NFT release.
