NFTs are all the rage right now. And if you’re thinking, what the heck is an NFT? – you’re not alone.

NFTs – or “non-fungible tokens” are essentially digital assets that link ownership to unique physical or digital items. It’s all about exclusivity and sole right of something that no one else can have, whether art, music, or videos. And the concept is continuing to grow. (Look at the artist, Beeple, who sold an NFT for a whopping 69 million dollars! No, that’s not a typo.)

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of this new NFT world is its opening doors for Black Artists. According to a joint investigation by In Other Words and Artnet News, only “7.6 percent of all exhibitions at 30 prominent American museums have been of work by African American artists.” Those are woefully low numbers. But with NFTs, the typically exclusive art world is opening up to artists from diverse backgrounds and helping them monetize their work.  This is great news.

But equity won’t happen without being intentional, which is where groups like Disrupt Art come in, a platform for creators around the globe who “struggle to receive meaningful compensation for the value of their creative work.” Other organizations, like Black NFT Art and Umba-Daima, have also emerged to create a sense of community, networking, and support for Black Artists navigating the digital realm.

Have you made the plunge into the world of NFT? Are you optimistic this platform will open doors for disenfranchised artists and creators to finally earn the recognition they deserve? Are you excited to see the art world changing? Tell us what you think and learn more at afrikin.org.