Entrepreneur Jordyn Weaver is bridging the gap between creators and Black-owned businesses.
Forefront
Weaver, who comes from a non-technical background, built a team to help her bring Forefront’s vision to life. The company was founded in 2020, initially operating within the social commerce industry.
Consumers could discover and shop Black-owned brands and also invite their friends into the process. On the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast, Weaver said while the platform still carries this sentiment, it has pivoted its focus to creators. Forefront markets itself as a “content and creator marketplace for the culture.”
Emerging brands looking to connect with culture and tap into influencer marketing organically could benefit from the platform. Influencer marketing is projected to be a $480 billion industry, according to Goldman Sachs.
Creators can onboard the platform and have the chance to interact with BIPOC brands to spark gifted, paid and UGC partnerships, according to the company’s website.
“Our mission is to bring Black businesses to the forefront of the world. And what that means to us is our Black-owned business is becoming the next generation of household names…My thought process of what Forefront is today is these influencers, they have huge influence and we want to help them to be able to use that for the betterment of our community,” Weaver said on the “Black Tech Green Money” podcast hosted by Will Lucas.
Weaver also addressed the growing conversation around ownership in the creator economy.
Recent developments have made this topic even more urgent, such as the potential TikTok ban unless the platform is sold to a U.S. buyer and Target’s decision to pull back its program that previously highlighted Black-owned brands in its stores.
“You’re seeing a lot more creators nowadays leverage their influence like, ‘Hey, I sold millions of products, millions of dollars in products. Now I want to create my own.’ Jackie Aina, she did something very similar. She launched a candle line and a perfume line. And I think that is needed,” Weaver explained.
She added, “Because brand deals aren’t going to always be there, especially even for some of the larger creators who they’re seeing, a lot of these brands are going towards some of these smaller creators because they’re cheaper and they’re a little bit more valuable in terms of engagement. And so I think it’s so important because again, if you can sell somebody else’s product, you can sell your own, especially if it’s your product that aligns with who you are and why your audience supports you, I think it’s kind of a no-brainer.”
To check out the full conversation, click here.
