5 Black Queer Creatives You Need to Follow
From poets to musicians to comedians, these artists deserve a spot on your feed.
Photo Courtesy: Instagram/@KhianKB
Inspiration is easy to come by when you follow the right people. As a creative, my feed is full of writers, musicians, gamers, animators, comedians—you name it. They all come from different backgrounds, but the ones who have me in a chokehold are the Black queer creatives.
That’s probably because I don’t see them often, especially in digital spaces where so many voices fight to be heard. So, when I do see a young Black queer creative on my feed, I always make it a point to follow them.
Over the years, my list of queer creatives has grown. These artists have inspired me, made me feel seen, and reminded me why I started creating in the first place. I know plenty of Black queer creators are waiting to be discovered, but for now, here are five currently making my timeline (and my world) a little brighter.
5 Black LGBTQ+ Creatives to Follow:
1. Daphne Bryant, Founder of Dreamworldgirl Zine
First on the list is Daphne Bryant. She is the founder of Dreamworldgirl Zine, a print and digital magazine dedicated to creating a space for women, queer people, and other marginalized groups. As a queer/bisexual interdisciplinary artist, Daphne has always had a passion for art and writing—like myself.
I have been following Dreamworldgirl on Instagram for a while now, and have fallen in love with its aesthetic. The zine feels like a blast from the past with the way it embodies early 2000s vibes. It’s designed almost like a scrapbook, with lots of color, art, photos, and, of course, articles. Every time I look at their page or magazine, I can tell that everyone who was involved had so much fun putting it together.
If you're a fan of Y2k and enjoy reading zines, then Dreamworldgirl is definitely something you should check out.
2. Jasmine Mans, Poet and founder of Buy Weed From Women
I recently started reading Jasmine Mans’ book, Black Girl, Call Home, and boy oh boy, it is such a good read. Published in 2021, Black Girl, Call Home was named one of Oprah’s Most Anticipated LGBTQ Books and earned a Stonewall Honor Book Award in Literature.
Besides being a poet, Jasmine is also the founder of the product design company, Buy Weed From Women, which supports and collaborates with women entrepreneurs.
I remember being in my poetry era, writing nonstop and picking up poetry books every chance I got. Black Girl, Call Home stood out to me right away. I haven’t finished it yet, but from what I’ve read so far, it feels like a love letter to Black women. Poems like “I Ain’t Gon’ Be Baldheaded No More” and “Momma Has a Hair Salon in the Kitchen” really spoke to me. I’ve lived those moments, and I can still recall my own mama saying those exact words while doing my hair. If you're looking for contemporary Black poets to get into, Jasmine Mans is a great place to start.
Iniko, Musician
I first discovered Iniko on Instagram, and the moment I heard their voice, I knew they were different.
Their music, which blends hip-hop, blues, soul, and something else you can’t quite name, is sort of an enigma. One thing’s for sure though, each song carries themes of resilience, empowerment, and identity that speak to something deeper.
Iniko comes from a Christian background where being their true self wasn’t always accepted, which led them to hide parts of who they were. Now, through their music, they create space for others who’ve had similar experiences to feel seen.
I really admire how they’ve grown—not just as an artist, but as someone who is unapologetically themselves. Iniko is actively paving the way for queer Black creatives to be recognized beyond just their sexuality. If you’re looking for an artist whose music truly transcends, give Iniko a listen.
Khian Brown, Comedian and Content Creator
Now this is someone I loveeeee to see pop up on my Instagram feed. Enter: Khian Brown, a gay comedian and fashion enthusiast who is widely known for his cosplay of the iconic character Edna Mode from the Pixar film The Incredibles. You would think a guy dressed up as a 4'6" tall woman wouldn’t be funny, but boy, you would be wrong. Khian embodies the character to a T.
There are tons of videos on his socials of him popping up at Walmart or the mall, telling people “EXCUSE ME, DARLING” while he walks by. There are tons of jokes, gags, and skits that he does with this character, and it makes me giggle every time I see a video of his.
Fans who recognize Khian in public often challenge him to do the Edna walk better than he can (which they always fail to do), and trust me—it’s wayyy harder than it looks. I tried it myself one time, and boy, did my granny knees fail miserably. For him to be walking the way he does for long periods, his knee game be ON POINT. Call him a champ-knee-ion!
If you’re looking for another internet comedian to give you a laugh on your For You page, you should definitely give Khian a follow.
Pearl Low, Founder of Orange Blossom Studios
Ahhhh, Pearl Low! She’s one of my biggest inspirations. A queer storyboard artist, director, and writer, Pearl has worked on some of my favorite projects, including Craig of the Creek and Hair Love.
She’s collaborated with top-tier studios like Cartoon Network, Sony Pictures Animation, A24, and Netflix—earning well-deserved recognition along the way. Her accolades include an Academy Award for Best Animated Short (Hair Love, 2020) and an NAACP Image Award for Best Animated Short (Canvas, 2021).
Now, she’s directing her own animated series, Wheels and Roses, under her very own Orange Blossom Studios.
I’ve been obsessed with Pearl’s work for a while now. The way she weaves culture into her storytelling is something I deeply admire. As someone who dreams of breaking into the film industry, her boards and scripts give me the inspiration to keep pushing toward my own creative goals.
To all my animation lovers and artists—if you’re not following Pearl Low yet, WYD?
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