Your next favorite channel might already be trending in your group chat. We rounded up nine Black YouTube creators worth your time right now, drawing on the 2026 Mashable 101 list as tracked by UrbanGeekz, EBONY’s 2026 creator list and Forbes’ latest rankings. Each pick comes with what they make, why to watch now and a verified link to the channel.

Black YouTube Creators Leading in Comedy and Gaming

1. IShowSpeed (gaming, IRL streams and sports)

What he makes: High energy livestreams that started with gaming and now travel the world. Why now: Speed ranked No. 8 on Forbes’ 2026 top creators list with an estimated $30 million, and he launched a World Cup 2026 tour in partnership with FIFA, according to UrbanGeekz. EBONY puts his YouTube audience above 51 million subscribers. Watch: youtube.com/@IShowSpeed

2. Druski (sketch comedy)

What he makes: Character sketches and parodies that turn into memes by lunchtime. Why now: Druski came in at No. 7 on that same Forbes list with $20 million, posts an engagement rate higher than most creators on the list and hosted the BET Awards in June. If you missed that show, catch up with our BET Awards 2026 recap. Watch: youtube.com/@Druski

3. Josh Johnson (stand-up)

What he makes: Smart, conversational stand-up about news, money and modern life. Why now: Johnson made the 2026 Mashable 101, and he has been a rotating host on The Daily Show since July 2025. His channel promises new stand-up every Tuesday at 9 p.m. Eastern, so it is an easy weekly habit. Watch: youtube.com/@JoshJohnsonComedy

Tech, Big Ideas and Learning

4. Marques Brownlee, MKBHD (tech)

What he makes: Clean, trusted reviews of phones, cars and gadgets. Why now: Brownlee is on the 2026 Mashable 101, and fall is peak season for new phones, laptops and gadgets. If you are deciding what to buy or whether to upgrade at all, his reviews are a smart first stop before you spend. Watch: youtube.com/@mkbhd

5. Steven Bartlett, The Diary of a CEO (interviews and business)

What he makes: Long, candid interviews with founders, doctors, athletes and thinkers. Why now: Bartlett ranked No. 3 on Forbes’ 2026 highest paid podcasters list with $45 million and still owns his show outright, having turned down deals worth more than $100 million, UrbanGeekz reports. It is a strong pick for anyone building a business or a career. Watch: youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO

6. Gracie’s Corner (kids education)

What it makes: Songs, nursery rhymes and dance videos that teach little ones while centering Black kids. Why now: EBONY counts 6.17 million subscribers for this family built brand. If your toddler has a screen time slot, this is a joyful way to fill it. Watch: youtube.com/@GraciesCorner

Food, Travel and Beauty

7. Chef Abbys (food)

What she makes: Simple recipes, food tourism and cultural storytelling from Ghana. Why now: Chef Abbys, born Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye in Kumasi, has more than 56 million TikTok followers but only about 72,500 YouTube subscribers, so this is your chance to be early. She showed up on IShowSpeed’s Ghana stream in January 2026 and fed 20,000 people in Accra on World Food Day 2025 through her Zero Hunger initiative. Watch: youtube.com/@Chefabbys

8. Wode Maya (travel)

What he makes: Travel and lifestyle films that show Africa’s cities, business scenes and culture on its own terms. Why now: His June 2026 film on Sao Tome and Principe, the video at the top of this story, has passed 1.2 million views. The Ghanaian creator, born Berthold Kobby Winkler Ackon, avoids brand deals to keep creative control. “I’m very scared working with brands, because a brand will filter everything you’re doing,” he said in January, via Modern Ghana. If you are planning a trip to the continent, start here, then read our look at what it is really like being Black in Thailand for more travel inspiration. Watch: youtube.com/@WODEMAYA

9. Allyiah’s Face (beauty and lifestyle)

What she makes: Makeup tutorials, hauls and everyday vlogs. Why now: EBONY named her to its 2026 creator list, praising content that feels “aspirational yet relatable.” Her channel sums up the vibe: “It’s like a friendship around here.” Watch: youtube.com/@allyiahsface

How to Support Black YouTube Creators

Views are nice, but the algorithm rewards habits. Here is how to make your support count.

• Subscribe. It is free and it matters. The Diary of a CEO channel says 64% of its viewers do not realize they are not subscribed.
• Turn on notifications. Tap the bell next to the Subscribe button and choose All to get alerts for long-form uploads and livestreams.
• Join a membership. Many channels offer paid monthly memberships through a Join button on the channel or video page. YouTube explains the steps on its membership help page. You must be 18 or older.
• Watch the whole thing. Finishing videos and leaving a real comment tells YouTube the content is worth recommending.
• Share with intention. Send a video to one person who will love it. Word of mouth still builds careers.

Why This List Matters

Black creators keep setting the pace online, from Forbes rankings to viral food reviews. But the smaller channels on this list, like Chef Abbys and Allyiah’s Face, grow on the strength of people who find them early and stick around. Your subscription is a small vote for the kind of stories you want to see more of.

Pick two channels from this list tonight, subscribe, and turn on the bell. Then share this guide with the friend who is always sending you videos, and tell us which Black YouTube creators we should feature next.