This Black History Month, TikTok is highlighting Black creators who use their platforms to share their unique journeys, celebrate their culture, and uplift their communities.
The annual #BlackTikTok list recognizes content creators, entrepreneurs, and storytellers who are creating meaningful change both online and beyond.
These individuals are not only shaping digital spaces with their creativity but also driving conversations, representation, and innovation in their respective fields.
“This year, we are looking to the future with a special spotlight on industry-shifting Black creators, community voices and business owners who are making waves on TikTok and beyond,” TikTok said in their list, posted online.
Among this year’s honorees are Canadian creators Hassan Phills and Sylvine Maliko, who have gained recognition for their ability to connect with audiences through comedy and art. Phills brings Toronto’s distinct humour and storytelling to life, while Maliko’s vibrant artwork amplifies Black culture and identity.
HASSAN PHILLS: FROM DIGITAL TIME CAPSULES TO COMEDY SPOTLIGHT
Hassan Phills, Scarborough native and one of Canada’s rising comedians, uses TikTok to captivate audiences with insightful comedy that resonates with diverse communities.
Phills told Now Toronto that he loved filming memories when he was younger – creating a digital time capsule to capture the essence of his and his friends’ youth. That’s how it all started. He started making videos – home videos and vlogs – and his friends noticed that he can do content creation.
“I still wanted to be funny. I like stories. I like storytelling. I like hearing them more than anything. I like to laugh. I started taking public speaking courses… I ended up like maybe I should try stand-up comedy. And then I did it a few times, and I said, ‘oh, this is really cool,’” Phills said.
He made the commitment to continue his stand-up journey, and has been doing so for eight years.
Being East African and Jamaican, Phills was always around individuals who tell eccentric stories in different ways. Storytelling has always been an important approach for how Phills delivers his jokes. Another key aspect of his comedy is his hometown, Toronto, and the influences of the city.
“Toronto has become so globalized. And you can be connected to the lore that’s happening in the city and be completely in a different place. There’s people who are abroad who know all the Toronto lore, just from the internet, so when they see it, hear me talking, it’s kind of just like personified,” Phills said.
Phills’ content on TikTok includes bits of his stand-up, but also conversations with his Jamaican uncle, and original skit-like short-form videos, that both captivate the audience, all while amplifying Black culture.
“I think he’s just such a funny guy,” Phills says about his uncle, whom he often banters with, “I love my uncle, I love his sense of humour. And if I share it with the world, I’d feel like other people like it too.”
“There was one comment where somebody mentioned that their relative had recently passed in their family, and they were grieving with it. And they’re like, this video was so hilarious. It reminded me so much of my uncle and my aunt. And that’s kind of like… You do it for that,” Phills explained.
As for being included in TikTok’s list of Black creators, he says it’s like a “clout badge of honour.”
“I’m either being like a taste maker, or I’m bringing the sauce, and people are sipping it,” Phills expressed.
Along with his wildly successful TikTok videos, Phills is making waves in the entertainment industry. He was recently featured in the Crave original series “The Office Movers,” alongside Jae and Trey Richards. Phills was also sampled in Drake and PartyNextDoor’s latest album, in the song “Small Town Fame.”
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“Ironically, there’s a video I’ve put on Tiktok before that is now in a song, you know, for somebody very special, actually,” Phills says about Drake.
Drake even attended one of Phills’ shows at Comedy Bar Danforth in December, showing his support for the comedian.
SYLVINE MALIKO: PAINTING THE FUTURE OF BLACK ART
Visual art came naturally to Ottawa-based creator, Sylvine Maliko. It was her favourite class growing up, and it’s something she always loved. However, there was a problem – she didn’t see representation, art that looked like her, when she looked at the art on the walls.
“What inspired me to create and make it bigger, was the fact that I couldn’t see myself in art representation as much. And I love Black people. I love Black culture,” Maliko told Now Toronto.
Content creation was a matter of consistency for Maliko. She always enjoyed social media, but wasn’t the biggest fan of TikTok. However, TikTok changed the trajectory of her career – after she decided to take the platform more seriously.
“TikTok kind of changed my life. It built a community for me. It was a good way for me to express myself, share what I’m creating, and then basically, it changed my life as it became like I was able to push my brand, my business on it,” Maliko said.
Videos of her art went viral multiple times, although she experienced slow periods where nothing was taking off. Nonetheless, she stayed consistent and persevered.. It was a matter of posting and sharing her art, and Maliko was determined to get her art out there.
There were two notable times her art went viral that was special to Maliko.
“The first time I went viral, it was mostly community building, it was very focused on that. And the second time it happened, it was the financial side that came with it. My business just grew, like it blew up. People were buying the arts. They could relate to it and like that changed my life, because I was able to live off my art,” Maliko said.
Maliko’s art style blends modern muses, from Black women, culture, and everyday people. She finds inspiration through online platforms, such as Pinterest.
“I just wanted to enhance it since it’s already art itself, when I see images of anything, I take it as art, and I just want to add my touch to it, and it just creates something new. But so many people can relate to something like this,” Maliko expressed.
Now, having her art pieces being sold in HomeSense in Canada – looking forward, Maliko wishes her art will be distributed worldwide; whether it be in America, stretching to Europe.
@art.factree SMARD IS IN STORES!! 🥳🥳 #smardart #homesensecanada #homedecor #roomart ♬ original sound – art.factree
