The Alabama Protest: The Black Creators You Need to Follow and Watch
With less than 24 hours until what’s expected to be the biggest voting rights mobilization since the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, thousands are traveling to Selma and Montgomery, Ala. All eyes will be on the “All Roads Lead to the South” National Day of Action on Saturday (May 16), and The Root will be on the ground covering the historic protest!
If you can’t be there in person, but want to follow the events of the day, we’ve got you covered with a list of some of the amazing Black creators who will be in Alabama, reporting on all of the action. From politician Isaiah Martin to comedian Elizabeth Booker Houston, these are the names and faces of Black media to watch this weekend.
Lynae Vanee
@girlsunited Rest is also resistance.
: Lynae Vanee Many are feeling the weight and mental devastation of the Presidential Election — especially Black women who tirelessly mobilized online, on the ground, and at the polls. While the fight for our livelihoods continues in between elections, it’s also important to rest and not overexert. #politics #GUDisruptorSummit #election #lynaevanee
Lynae Vanee is a poet, activist and NAACP Image Award-winning digital creator with almost 1 million followers on Instagram. Using her platform, Vanee offers insightful takes on current political and entertainment events. She spoke out following the drama over Megan Thee Stallion’s breakup from Klay Thompson. She’s even outlined her top voting picks ahead of elections in Georgia. Now, she heads to Alabama to provide a more nuanced take on the historic demonstration.
Joshua Doss
With over 1.1 million followers on Instagram, Joshua Doss is a creator you should know. He has been largely recognized for his political takes, especially on platforms like CNN and NBC News.
During an interview with The Bulwark, Doss got candid about why he feels compelled to travel to Alabama for the National Day of Action. “We like to look back at the history books and say, ‘I would’ve been–‘ We’re in it now,” Doss said. “They’re bringing back Jim Crow-style legislation and governance. So that’s why I’m going.”
Elizabeth Booker Houston
With over 700,000 followers on Instagram, comedian Elizabeth Booker Houston remains at the forefront of Black entertainment. She’s a 2026 Webby Award winner, and that’s on top of her NAACP Image nomination this year. But outside of her hilarious wit, the Memphis native knows how to use her platform to speak on issues that matter.
She has urged folks to stop using Grok, the artificial intelligence service used on X, in light of concerns that the AI supercomputer located in Memphis has released toxins into the water for residents.
Cody Danielle
Cody Danielle has interviewed celebrities like Chloe and Halle Bailey and Megan Thee Stallion throughout her career. Now, she’s using her platform to highlight political injustices affecting the Black community.
Isaiah Martin
If you’re unfamiliar with Isaiah Martin’s reputation as a powerful debater, here’s your sign to get into it! Martin has appeared on CNN, Jubilee and countless other outlets, where he takes on MAGA Republicans, conservatives and conspiracy theorists without ever breaking a sweat.
Most recently, Martin, who has over 1 million followers across platforms, went viral after appearing on CNN’s “NewsNight With Abby Phillip.” In a tense back-and-forth with right-wing political commentator Pete Seat, Martin held his own as he called out conservatives for bashing comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
“Pete, can you tell me one example of Trump ever apologizing for anything?” Martin asked. “You cannot show an example of Trump ever apologizing for anything. So, I just think it’s rich when any conservative tries to go and say that someone should apologize for anything.”
Martin previously ran in a special election for Texas’s 18th congressional district, but lost.
Rashad Robinson
Rashad Robinson is an American civil rights leader and former president of Color of Change with over 22,000 followers on Instagram. During his time as president, he worked to transform Color Of Change into one of the largest racial justice organizations in the country. Now, he continues to do the work to ensure Black Americans know their power and use their voice to enact change.
Ahead of the release of Robinson’s book, “From Presence to Power,” he’s been outspoken against the SCOTUS ruling. On Instagram, Robinson told Black folks to get creative with how they protest.
“We already know the administration won’t listen to us, so we need to go after the corporations who expect our support by day and cozy up to our opposition by night—companies like Target, Amazon, and Chevron to name a few,” he said. “Many of them might even say, ‘this is not what we supported,’ and while that is a lie, let’s ask them what they are doing about it now. How are they fighting back for their employees, for their consumers? When their response is nonexistent or unsatisfactory, we must act.”
Abiola Agoro
@ahbeeolah I’m back lovelies! If you enjoyed this, remember to like comment below a topic you’ve been wanting me to cover! #ahbeeolah #fyp #fypシ
NAACP award winner Abiola Agoro stands out as one of the freshest voices for civil rights activism. With almost 90,000 followers on Instagram, Agoro uses her platform to share the political and social stories most pressing in the Black community. She is a Forbes honoree and current master’s student.
“The way our communities are expected to keep proving our right to exist and have fair representation while those with power treat the process like background noise,” she wrote on Instagram. “Don’t let any of these redistricting fights in the South fool you. The South is not absent of Black political imagination. The South is not absent of Black leadership. The South is filled with Black people willing to demand better. This is why all roads lead to the South.”
Tevin Davis
@tevin.m.davis A Sunday Timeline Cleanse
Here is the full video of Kamala and I meeting with a few parts kept for myself to cherrish always
@Wicked: For Good comes out this Friday so get into this Elphaba and Glinda /AKA color palette which was absolutely not planned! But thats what happens when youre CLEAR!
Let me be CLEAR!
#kamalaharris #parody #comedy #kamala #fyp @Kamala Harris
Best known for his killer impersonation of former Vice President Kamala Harris, Tevin Davis has amassed a following of over 222,000 on Instagram. Ahead of the National Day of Action, Davis broke down exactly why Black Americans– and the rest of the country– should pay close attention to the state of politics in this moment.
“I want y’all to stop looking at the Supreme Court decision as a loss,” he began on Instagram. “It was not a defeat. It was a free preview into what’s possible.” Referencing the court’s decision to toss out Virginia’s proposed redistricting map– in direct response to Republican-led efforts across the nation.
