Instagram Celebrates Black History Month with #ShareBlackStories

People come to Instagram to express themselves and share their diverse, unique perspectives every day. To honor the Black community on Instagram and celebrate Black History Month in the U.S., we’re kicking off #ShareBlackStories this February.

On the official @instagram account, you’ll see stories from incredible creators like Tawny Chatmon, Paola “Pao Pao” Mathé and Uzumaki Cepeda, plus short films featuring distinct Black voices, produced by Clarence Hammond (Life in a Year) and Dougie Cash (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Cobra Kai) from Will Smith’s Overbrook Entertainment, along with Marsha L. Swinton (Beautiful Boy).

You can #ShareBlackStories by using new creative tools, conceptualized by Black voices at Instagram, including camera effects inspired by the rich cultural history of telling stories through African mud cloth patterns (seen above). Available now, these effects touch on themes of family, bravery and good fortune – to use them, open the Stories camera and tap on the effects icon. There are also custom templates designed by community illustrator Loveis Wise and a new #ShareBlackStories sticker in the Stories sticker tray to try out.

Follow the #ShareBlackStories hashtag to see more of the amazing stories our community creates. This month and beyond, we’re excited see this come to life. The camera effects and sticker are available on iOS and Android in the US.

— André Llewellyn & Joy Ofodu, Instagram Brand