5 Influencers Who Are Using Their Artistic Abilities For Activism!

When you think of influencers, who and what comes to mind? Is it the cool influencer who has an aesthetic that’s to die for? The one who makes having 1 million followers look and feel like winning the lottery? Or maybe you think of that one influencer with the cool dance trends and suddenly you’re up at 3 AM with a new song on loop. Oh, wait -- we can’t forget about the influencers who make you want to fill your shopping cart beyond your budget.

However, just like that, when thinking of influencers, it is easy to overlook those who utilize their artistic abilities and platforms for activism. These are the people who stand ten toes down on their beliefs, spread information, and use their wide range of artistic abilities to convey a message. Whether it be through poetry, paintings, melodies, fashion, or any other form of art that you can possibly think of, these 5 influencers are simultaneously creating art and change.

1. Amanda Gorman

You may recognize her from a viral moment that she had back in 2021. She currently holds the title of the youngest poet (22) to perform at a presidential inauguration. Her impactful words left people around the world stunned and running to social media to commend her, as well as stay updated with her journey. Her following across multiple social media platforms increased by hundreds of thousands. But Amanda Gorman is so much more than a viral moment; she is a forever moment as she continues to spread the word about equality, climate justice, and feminism. That moment of fame is everlasting. Her poems are more than just words; it is an art. An art that evokes emotion, imagery, and deep thoughts. Turning a viral moment into activism, Amanda has gone on to publish 3 best-selling books, perform at Super Bowl LV, and make a series of magazine and television appearances. Most importantly, her platform and presence on social media are growing daily, and she is continuously pushing out content that resonates with her core values and beliefs. Amanda has become more than a poet; she is a leader holding various titles that we should continue to follow.

2. Alok Vaid-Menon

Alok Vaid-Menon is the energy we all need to be surrounded by. They do it all and beautifully at that. Alok wears so many hats, including comedian, author/poet, speaker, fashion icon, and we most definitely can not forget about activist. Originally gaining popularity from their spoken word performances, which were centered around gender nonconformity, race, and being queer, Alok and their friend Janani Balasubramanian created a duo that would later have an incredible impact. The duo consisted of performances that would address issues such as identity, race, and gender. The duo saw tremendous support and would go on to perform at colleges, festivals, concerts, etc. But we’re not even halfway complete; that is simply just a fraction of the great activism work Alok has done. Alok has also published multiple books that touch on intersectionality, feminism, self-expression, trauma, and marginalized identities. They have combined their artistic abilities and activism to spread the word on issues that people face daily. Alok is also a fashion icon who is widely known for going against society’s traditions for fashion. They do not label any form of fashion to a gender, instead focusing on de-gendering fashion and supporting all humans telling a story through their fashion choices. Alok has gained a large following on social media, particularly for their self-expression. Followers love the energy Alok brings. Another reason to love them is that they also do comedy. On tour, Alok talks about being able to feel liberated through comedy, deal with their trauma, talk about societal norms, and create a safe space to feel happy about queer identities. With so many hats that Alok wears, we will be here for days explaining the ins and outs. But the biggest takeaway is that Alok uses his artistic abilities to shed light on the issues he finds important based on his own experiences. 

3. Brittany Broski

Internet sensation Brittany Broski is no stranger to having influence. With over 2 million followers on instagram, she is mainly known for her funny reaction to tasting Kombucha, becoming a meme that the internet loves. She is practically the face of Kombucha. But Brittany isn’t just The Kombucha Girl. She has turned her comedic platform into a stage for her to speak on mental health, social justice, and discrimination amongst the creators on social media. Brittany has openly spoken about misogyny, racism, and inequalities on apps like TikTok. She has created an inclusive space for all, even by hosting a podcast called "Violating Community Guidelines" and "The Broski Report". These podcasts focus on mental health, societal norms, and issues that are seen across multiple online platforms. Brittany brings her own spin to these podcasts, combining comedy with a serious undertone. With the millions of followers that Brittany has gained, she is using her comedy art style to inform the public of issues she finds important.

4. Shirien Creates

Visual storyteller Shirien, also known as Shirien Damra, creates illustrations that say a lot without having to say any words. In 2020, Shirien gained popularity on Instagram for creating images/portraits of the unfortunate passings of victims of police brutality, racial injustice, and discrimination. Check out examples of her portraits below, and notice how each person has their eyes closed, representing mourning, peace, and a soft imagery of the traumatic events that occurred before these people passed. Shirien has accumulated over 180,000 followers on Instagram as a result of her inspiring art. Her most recognized work has gained over 3 million likes on a single post. Shirien continues to use her artistic abilities to visually storytell. She currently uses her instagram platform, designs, and illustrations to advocate for social change, including trans and Palestinian rights. 

5. Green Girl Leah 

As her name suggests, Green Girl Leah supports all things green. If you need further clarification, that means she supports the environment. Green Girl Leah has been using her influence to educate followers and viewers about how social justice is necessary in climate change. Leah believes that destroying the environment affects marginalized communities at a higher rate. Leah made the phrase intersectional environmentalism popular, which is essentially a term describing how social justice and the climate/environment are related. Leah has even made a non-profit organization by the name of Intersectional Environmentalist. According to Leah’s website, the organization is “a platform and resource hub that aims to advocate for environmental justice, provide educational resources surrounding intersectional environmentalism, and promote inclusivity and accessibility within environmental education and movements in 2020 -- which has since become a leading resource for diverse and accessible climate education." You’re probably also wondering what kind of art Leah makes. Leah is the author of a book titled The Intersectional Environmentalist: How to Dismantle Systems of Oppression to Protect People + Planet. Leah has dedicated so much time and energy to being an environmental activist. Her popular posts speak on her term intersectional environmentalism. Leah has and continues to utilize her social media to spread the word about the environment, the reality of it, and how we can keep the earth safe for all. Way to go, Leah!

Check out these five influencers and their art today!