The creator economy is booming as millions of people around the world turn to social media to become influencers. Some creators on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram are now earning as much as six figures annually through brand sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and other revenue streams.
As influencers build their brands, some of them have turned to influencer management agencies to help them navigate the industry. These agencies help clients decide between different business opportunities, connect them with other creators and industry experts, and earn a consistent income. While some management firms and agencies have established broad client rosters, others are focused on specific criteria, like creators in the travel industry or those from diverse backgrounds.
Like any industry, the creator economy still has a long way to go in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI. In some of the latest research available on the topic, a December 2021 report from public-relations network MSL Group and The Influencer League found a 29% racial pay gap between white and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, or BIPOC, influencers — and that gap widened to 35% between white and Black influencers.
“Until we can bridge that gap and provide tools not only for BIPOC creators to succeed but also for BIPOC-led management agencies to thrive, we’ll continue to see and experience the inequities in the industry,” Brittany Bright, founder of The Influencer League told Business Insider. “You generally see slightly more equity in influencer pay when a creator reaches a certain follower tier and is able to secure a management team equipped to help them secure higher paying higher quality brand deals.”
One BIPOC-led agency supporting creators of underrepresented backgrounds was founded by New York City-based entrepreneur Julian Andrew. Before launching Talentiish in June 2022, 31-year-old Andrew was a talent manager at Select Management Group, representing creators like TikTok stars Ian Paget and Chris Olsen.
He founded his talent-management agency after feeling there was a lack of a dedicated space for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creators.
“I wanted to create a home for those that fall under both communities, a home where upper management also reflects those communities that they are serving,” Andrew said.
BI chose these power players based on reader nominations as well as reporting and conversations with industry professionals to highlight some of the top BIPOC-led influencer management firms and agencies in the industry. Our list includes firms across the US, the UK, and Africa.
Here are 18 influencer-management agencies led by a person of color, listed in alphabetical order by company name:
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