Trailblazing Black YouTubers: 5 Creators Still Thriving After 10+ Years on the Platform

Black YouTubers have helped shape how we consume content, with many spending over a decade keeping us entertained and informed.

With over 114 million active YouTube channels, creating and uploading videos is certainly not a difficult task.  However, building a dedicated fanbase of thousands, if not millions, proves much more complex.  For several Black creators, this feat has been over ten years in the making. 

These individuals have gained popularity for their diverse content across various categories, raking up views worldwide.  Here’s a look at several notable Black YouTubers who’ve spent years growing their channels.

King of Reads

Justin J, known across YouTube as King of Reads, kicked off his YouTube career in 2011.  He has long used his platform to deliver passionate breakdowns of issues pertaining to capitalism, politics, colorism, and more.  He also lends his voice to HIV awareness and destigmatization.  In 2021, he partnered with YouTube Originals for his Bear Witness series, which addressed matters that Black people living with HIV commonly face.  This panel welcomed guests such as Keke Palmer, Common, and Dominique Jackson.  When King of Reads is not discussing more serious topics, he offers hilarious commentary on today’s music, reality television, and viral social media moments.  Today, his channel has reached over 200,000 subscribers. 

Patricia Bright

Patricia Bright started her YouTube channel in 2010, primarily with fashion videos.  Throughout the years, Bright shared her popular fashion hauls and shopping tips.  These days, her content has evolved to include all aspects of lifestyle and even money management advice on her separate channel, The Break, which has over 400,000 subscribers.  Her fanbase on her self-named channel has ballooned to 2.7 million subscribers, with Bright also incorporating glimpses of her marriage and cosmetic surgery journey.  She is Britain’s first Black female creator to achieve over one million YouTube subscribers.  In 2024, she signed with the talent agency YMU Group. 

Marques Brownlee

Marques Brownlee joined YouTube in 2008 when he was just a teenager.  He initially showed off his golfing skills but soon began focusing on technology reviews and tutorials.  In his 16 years on the app, Brownless has amassed over 19 million subscribers, thanks in part to his detailed reviews of new gadgets, which are shot in high-quality format.  He meticulously breaks down the latest in computers and smartphones, helping those who aren’t the most tech-savvy learn to work with their devices.  In 2024, his wealth of knowledge landed him the position of chief creative partner and board member at tech accessories giant Ridge.

Jackie Aina  

Jackie Aina started her channel in 2009, quickly becoming a trailblazer in the beauty community.  Her makeup tutorials not only taught millions how to slay their face properly, but Jackie Aina also used her platform to advocate for inclusivity in the beauty industry.  Fast forward to 2024, her content is still beauty-based, though she also produces other videos highlighting her personal life.  She currently has over three million YouTube subscribers, but her success has not stopped with the app.  Jackie Aina has partnered with several brands, such as Anastasia Beverly Hills and Sephora, and co-founded FORVR Mood, a candle and lifestyle brand.  She recently signed with United Talent Agency, indicating that her empire is expanding further. 

Zach Campbell

Since starting his YouTube channel in 2014, Zach Campbell has created several iconic memes during his decade-long career. This beloved commentator is known for his enthusiastic music reviews and pop culture commentary. His early comedic reviews of Beyoncé thrust him into the spotlight, attracting viewers with his vibrant energy. Pop, R&B, and female rap fans often turn to Campbell for his brutally honest breakdowns of the latest music releases. In recent years, his loyal fanbase has also come to know him as an artist following the release of his single, “High,” earlier this year.  His channel currently boasts over 660,000 subscribers.

These YouTubers represent just a slice of the rich diversity of content available from Black creators.  They’ve made significant impacts in their respective fields, contributing to a more inclusive and diverse digital space.