Black Designers and Bloggers Are Taking Over Popular Instagram Accounts in #ShareTheMicNow Home Edition

Last week, in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, popular white celebrities and influencers turned over their Instagram accounts to Black women in an initiative called #ShareTheMicNow. The effort saw almost a hundred women—including Julia Roberts, Kahlana Barfield Brown, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kourtney Kardashian, to name a few—sharing the social media platform to allow voices of color to amplify their narratives and reach new audiences.

“When the world listens to women, it listens to white women,” explained the initiative’s organizers. “For far too long, Black women’s voices have gone unheard, even though they’ve been using their voices loudly for centuries to enact change. Today, more than ever, it is NECESSARY that we create a unifying action to center Black women’s lives, stories, and calls to action. We need to listen to Black women.”

Inspired by Hollywood’s lead, the home industry is getting its own iteration. Held on Thursday, June 18, #ShareTheMicNow Home Edition featured personalities such as Joy Cho and Brian Patrick Flynn, as well as editors from publications like Elle Décor and House Beautiful, sharing their Instagram accounts with Black creators Mikel Welch, Keita Turner, and Gail Davis, among others. (Editor’s Note: Apartment Therapy Lifestyle Director Taryn Williford is also participating.)

Designer, author, and podcaster Albie Buabeng organized today’s takeovers, and has been posting on DIY bloggers Young House Love’s account today. She wrote in an Instagram post, “Hearing the voices of not just the designers but unsung heroes of our industry was important to me to highlight as many layers of thought and action as possible. Change starts with the gate keepers to opportunities.”

“I hope that now more editors or furniture brands will see these designers,” she told Business of Home. “You can’t seek out people you don’t know exist. It’s my hope that business opportunities will arise from this and that we shake up the industry.”