The viral social media app TikTok has showcased many BIPOC stars for their innovative choreography to enhance the latest chart-topping music we hear throughout our everyday lives. But, unfortunately, innovation comes at a cost when BIPOC creators do not receive credit for their work. Instead, their movements are used for profit to benefit those considered privileged in this dog-eat-dog world of entertainment.
Thankfully, Logitech and an award-winning choreographer JaQuel Knight are working together to create a powerful impact to honor the hard work of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) creators. On July 28, 2021, a dinner celebration was held to close out #Creators4BIPOC month, a movement that aims to help address barriers disproportionately faced by BIPOC creators and recognize their achievements.
In addition to this celebration, BIPOC creators received the surprise of a lifetime when presented with labanotations to protect their newly copyrighted work at the celebration dinner.
The first six of these creators who were honored are:
- Keara Wilson, creator of the “Savage” dance to Megan Thee Stallion’s song of the same name
2. Fallout Cortland, choreography to Doja Cat’s “Say So” performance at the 2020 Billboard Music Awards
3.) Nae Nae Twins, creator of the “Savage Remix” dance to Megan Thee Stallion’s (feat. Beyoncé) song of the same name
4.) Chloe Arnold, “Salute A Legend” choreography for Syncopated Ladies
5.) Mya Johnson and Chris Cotter, creator of the “Up” dance to Cardi B’s song of the same name
6.) Young Deji, creator of “The Woah” dance
This pivotal moment helps to acknowledge the complex and challenging initiative of copyrighting choreography. Logitech and JaQuel Knight will work towards ensuring more creators receive protection and compensation through this collaborative process.
DID YOU KNOW? – According to the U.S. Copyright Office1, they receive less than 20 choreographic work applications, out of more than 500,000 applications the office receives each year for “dramatic works.”
This copyrighting initiative helps to ensure power is retained by the creator and classifies their work as intellectual property, therefore obtaining proper credit. In addition, BIPOC creators receive protection if their work is in feature films, commercials, or video games, as the creator can receive monetary compensation for the usage.
View photos from the celebratory dinner below.
ABOUT: #Creators4BIPOC initiative is led by Logitech For Creators, a brand extension of Logitech that exists to empower all creators to pursue their passions. Now in its second year, #Creators4BIPOC is a movement initiated in 2020 by Streamlabs to help address racial inequality through a $1 million minimum in donations to BIPOC charities over the next ten years. To learn more about the creators, nonprofit organizations and how to get involved with the #Creators4BIPOC movement, visit creators4bipoc.com.
