TikTokThis week marked the start of Black History Month and we're so excited to kick off the first in our series of community trailblazer spotlights, where we can reflect on the inspiration and impact Black culture continues to serve. Throughout October, we will spotlight some of the Black creators expressing themselves and sharing unique content our community can't get enough of.
Speaking of which, when it comes to our favourite foods, it seems like we always have room for more - and no one has us covered for the tastiest munch and trendiest food spots like @hadley.ogarro!
Hads brings his energy to a range of lifestyle content, but is best known for his prolific reviews of London's vibrant food scene. Where some people gatekeep their favourite restaurants, Hads is using his platform to shine a light on the best culinary delights the city has to offer.
Hads' Black History Month celebrations are well underway, with recommendations for the best Black owned food spots in Hackney, and he found some time to chat about all things #BlackTikTok with us too!
Congratulations on being named as a TikTok trailblazer! What does Black History month mean to you?
Thank you, I have to say I was really honoured by this. Black History Month to me is about celebrating and honouring Black contributions to society. It's about highlighting Black-British history in particular which often gets conflated with African-American history. This is super important to me because a lot of people aren't aware that we have a very rich history in the U.K, simply because it's not taught in our history books or talked about. Sadly, I do personally feel like Black History Month has died down in recent years, especially since the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. However, I am grateful for platforms like TikTok for uplifting black voices and shedding light on black creators in a non-performative manner every year, I just wish other companies/organisations would follow suit.
What other Black creators and Black-owned businesses do you follow on TikTok?
So many! My fellow food content creators of course, artists, music tastemakers, fashion influencers, sportspeople, podcasts etc. I know a lot of talented individuals in the content creation space. We're all big fans of each others' content and support one another, which is really nice.
Why did you decide to start creating content on TikTok?
Lockdown! Funnily enough, I decided to start filming my visits to restaurants like a month before we were placed in lockdown restrictions again - around December 2020. I'd posted 3 videos on Instagram as I didn't have a TikTok account at this point. I think I was a little hesitant back then because I just associated the app with dancing videos. Lockdown pushed me to cross-platform the few videos I had onto TikTok. My first videos on TikTok to go 'viral' were alfresco dining recommendations for people to visit once we were allowed back outside again. As soon as restrictions were relaxed, it was full steam ahead for me and I never looked back!
I always tell people who ask how I got into this that it was never intended to be a 'side hustle' if you like. My friends were the ones who pushed me to start creating content because I was forever sharing hotels and restaurants on my stories. Big up them because they saw the vision way before I did! I'm so grateful for everything that's happened since the start of 2021. Now I've got this little community who trust my word and I don't take that for granted at all.
What is your goal on TikTok?
To become the go-to for authentic and honest content. I want people to think of me and my page immediately when they need recommendations - not just food, but also my other content pillars too (lifestyle and travel). I also want to expand more into fitness and male fashion. I've slowly diversified my content this year, but I really want to let my followers in a bit more and show them different sides of me through my content.
What is your favourite TikTok video you have made to date and why?
Definitely my solo trip to Crete, Greece highlights TikTok video. It's not a TikTok that went viral or even did 'super well' whatever that means, but I just think it's perfect. The variety of shots, the song choice, the way the cuts sync perfectly with the beat of the song. It's quite a sentimental video for me I guess because it was my first solo trip abroad, plus I had an amazing experience out there so it brings back tons of memories.
Finally, what else is on your For You feed?!
Not that much food content surprisingly. A lot of David Attenborough and wildlife content, I'm forever sending videos of polar bears hunting seals in the South Pole haha. Also, a lot of travel content lately. I'm travelling really soon and I've been bookmarking a lot of things I want to do for content whilst I'm abroad, so the algorithm keeps throwing more of that stuff my way, not that I'm complaining.
New to TikTok and want to explore #BlackTikTok? Getting involved couldn't be easier, simply download the app for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.
