Why Are Black Men Attracted to Streaming?

By Sofia Lamdichi | October 13, 2025 

Photo Credits: Zak John/TheRealZak on Youtube (Top) and Brandon Edwards/MayoIsNot on Youtube (Bottom).

Streaming has become one of the most well-known forms of media ever since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. People having to keep themselves entertained and find ways to reach out to the outside world is what bred such a high demand for streamers. Recently, it cannot be ignored that some of the biggest names in streaming are Black men. 

There is a form of empowerment that comes from content creation and being successful from it. The independence of being in control of how you make your money, and your creativity potentially attracting dollar signs is not something that is easily replicated in other fields or as inclusive as content creation through streaming. Although money is important to many, passion is the leading motivation for people to go down the path of creating content. Most people who stream or create content do not make money from their uploads onto social media.

In society, Black men are not always afforded the right to be creative and express themselves through media outlets. The box they are meant to stay in is extremely small, but the prevalence of streaming or content creation allows them to make their box a little bigger. Being able to sustain a life for yourself by being creative is not what they are expected to do. The pride and joy that come from successfully going against societal norms is one that most Black men do not get to experience, especially not in their youth. 

Historically, Black men being included in media was a form of marginalization to entertain non-marginalized groups of people. For there to be a space that celebrates them instead, not only is valuable but also a well needed change. This allows them to share their stories in the way they choose. Black men are now able to foster unique relationships with audiences and present their unique stories, personalities, and experiences to them. This alone is a form of Black empowerment. 

On the University at Albany campus, and many other universities alike, there has been an influx of Black male streamers making content with their peers over the past couple years. Many UAlbany students have seen them filming content in the Campus Center, sports games, residential quads and around the downtown area of Albany. Some of the many Black male streamers that attend UAlbany are Zak John or TherealZak on all social media platforms. He pondered his journey creating content on all social media platforms, and what socio-economic factors he believes pushed others like himself to pick up a camera. 

“A lot of Black men are drawn to streaming because it can be a way out of tough financial situations. Streaming gives people a chance to earn money and gain recognition without needing an everyday career or ‘9 to 5’,” John said. “It’s also something you can start with just a device to record and a passion for content, which is easier than other paths that people take. My goal as a content creator is to put a smile on people’s faces, to be that person for them that will always make them happy even if it’s to be there for them virtually.”

Brandon Edwards, a UAlbany student and a content creator who experienced behind the camera from his high school film program, streams with the name “MayoIsnNot” on all social media platforms. He analyzed the factors in his life that pushed him and others like him into making content. 

“I feel like viewing streaming as a way to make money isn’t a smart thing to do. Because of big names like Kai and Speed, a lot of young black men changed their outlook on streaming,” Edwards said. “They made it cool. They made streaming/Black content more mainstream, there were always Black content creators, but you had to be in the community to know them.”

Edwards thinks it’s hard to make money for most streamers, unlike some famous ones who earned celebrity status.  

“Kai Cenat and Speed definitely opened it up to the mainstream when they started collabing with celebrities, and this turned streaming profitable, because it could reach celebrity status. Most streamers don’t make any money within the first few years of streaming, so I think it needs to come from a place of passion,” Edwards said. “I stream because I grew up watching youtubers all of my life, and I always looked up to them. I’ve been lucky enough to interact with some of the people who inspired me so that’s another big motivation.”

Society may want Black young adult men to remain in the restrictions imposed onto them. However, with the rise of digital creativity, the restrictions are becoming smaller and the opportunities are expanding. These opportunities are fostered through one's own initiative, which makes these success stories inspiring and motivating for the masses.