The traditional ways of searching for “things to do in…” have changed and many of us are now looking to social media to give us inspiration for our trips.
As much as I love a Lonely Planet guide, I use Instagram and blogs as one of my main tools for inspiration and information for my trips. I turn to both the geotags and hashtags to find places to see and people to follow.
Here’s a list of 10 Black London-based influencers for you to follow for all your London inspo needs. Whether you are a fashionista and want to prepare your suitcase to be London fashion-friendly or if you’re looking for cute coffee shops and restaurants, you’ll find someone on this list for you.
Insider tip, always check out the highlights – they usually have a whole host of gems for you to discover. If you see anything on someone’s Instagram grid that you like, you can always “save” it for later and create a “London folder”.
Image courtesy of @ashleemoyo on Instagram. See original post here.
Ashlee Moyo
I thought it was only right that I start with myself, Ashlee Moyo, a travel content creator based in London.
When I’m not in the skies, I love exploring my back garden. In 2018, I made it my mission to discover what London has to offer and to take my online community with me. Since then, I’ve brunched in London’s most Instagrammable cafes, dined in family-run restaurants and uncovered a host of different things to do during different seasons around the city.
Being a first-time Mum, I also share content on “baby-friendly” London, from baby-friendly restaurants to stations that are accessible with a buggy. Travelling to a new city can be a challenge, especially with children, so I love sharing tips to make it that bit easier.
Join me as I venture into all the corners of London and the world.
Follow @ashleemoyo on Instagram
Image courtesy of @zeenaxena on Instagram. See original post here.
Zeena Xena
Zeena is a fashion, lifestyle and travel blogger, bouncing between London and Marrakech. If you’re looking for cute Instagrammable and luxury places to visit in London, Zeena is your girl.
There is more to Zeena then fashion and travel though. She has her own accessories line called ‘By Zeena’, offering affordable and dainty pieces of jewellery as well as statement sunglasses.
I’d keep an eye out on Zeena’s stories, they’re a great way to get to know her personality beyond the perfect poses on her Instagram feed.
Follow @zeenaxena on Instagram
Image courtesy of @tiaontour on Instagram. See original post here.
Tia on Tour
Tia is an absolute travel queen and her brightly coloured feed is the perfect inspo for places to see around the world.
She took the travel restrictions and used them as an opportunity to discover London. Both her stories and Instagram grid share some of London’s hidden gems as well as places you can take day trips to from London.
When I am looking for London inspo, I have a snoop through her “Home” highlight. She recently took a trip to Peckham Rye Park, and from the photos she shared, it looked like she was wandering through a tropical rainforest. That’s what makes Tia stand out from other London content creators.
Follow @tiaontour on Instagram
Image courtesy of @justefe on Instagram. See original post here.
Efe
Where to even start when it comes to Efe. He is a London-based content creator and photographer able to capture amazing photos of different London locations.
You’d be amazed to find out that a lot of Efe’s photographs are taken on his iPhone. He’s also joined the creators on Instagram that are using Reels to captivate their audience. On his Reels, you’ll find amazing time-lapses of London. My favourite of his was taken on the London Underground, called Tube Boredom.
If you fall in love with something on his page and would like a unique souvenir to take home with you, Efe also sells digital prints.
Image courtesy of @lakudavies on Instagram. See original post here.
Laku Davies
Laku Davies is a content creator and storyteller capturing many of London’s landmarks and more. You’ll thoroughly enjoy and be in awe of her photographic journey through London.
You won’t find faces on Laku’s page, as she only captures the architecture of London. Also found on Laku’s Instagram page are IGTV videos from around London, highlighting different things you can do such as a Thames River cruise.
Laku captures some of the well-known London’s landmarks from unique and distinct angles. They aren’t your typical tourist style photos and I would recommend using Laku’s page as a guide for scenic places to visit.
Follow @lakudavies on Instagram
Image courtesy of @illyanalondon on Instagram. See original post here.
Illyana London
Starting her content-creating journey back in 2016, Illyana has grown from an Instagram page sharing her fashion to a blog and Instagram page with a greatly engaged and interactive online community.
Keeping up with all the latest fashion trends and also creating her own, her Instagram is a hub for fashion, beauty, and London locations.
Aside from sharing her fashion and products, she talks about her personal struggles, like having a speech impairment. Illyana has made it her mission to always be open and honest with her community whether it fits in with aesthetics or not.
Product recommendations, where to shop, new places to explore or where to dine… Illyana’s blog and Instagram are both catalogs of information and inspiration for you.
Follow @illyanalondon on Instagram
Image courtesy of @inmysundaybest on Instagram. See original post here.
Sade
In My Sunday Best is brought to you by Sade, a Senior Architectural Director by day and London content creator by night (not literally – haha).
Sade uses her platform to showcase her daily life, her fashion and beauty, and to encourage and empower. If you’re a caption lover like myself, you’ll love Sade’s. They are like little diary entries and she really talks to you.
What I love the most about Sade’s content is that she’s just a regular woman like myself. She embodies what an “influencer/blogger” used to be. Someone whose life on social media appears genuine and real.
Follow @inmysundaybest on Instagram
Image courtesy of @nicoleocran on Instagram. See original post here.
Nicole O’Cran
Formerly from Washington, D.C., Nicole is a fashion blogger with an empathise on inclusive fashion. Her blog was initially used as a personal outlet and has since blossomed into a platform for inclusivity, fashion, self-love, and self-care.
Nicole has been London based since 2010 and over the years she’s shared and styled all the latest fashion trends.
Having a Ghanaian and Filipino background, she also shares her experiences having two different cultures and being of mixed heritage.
She has a podcast called Mixed Up Podcast which shares the stories and experiences of those with mixed heritage growing up in the modern world.
Follow @nicoleocran on Instagram
Image courtesy of @stephanieyeboah on Instagram. See original post here.
Stephanie Yeboah
Stephanie Yeboah is a self-love queen! She shouts from the rooftops about loving yourself and enjoying your body no matter the size or shape.
In addition to content creation, Stephanie is also an author. Her book ‘Fattily Ever After’ discusses navigating through society as a fat Black woman, the history of body positivity, dating, mental health, and more. Stephanie describes her books as a love letter to all the fat Black women out there and says she wants it to encourage and help larger women build self-esteem.
Her social media is a billboard for confidence, fashion, and positivity. She shares her daily adventures through life on her stories and her grid is full of fashion.
Follow @stephanieyeboah on Instagram
Image courtesy of @eboniivoryblog on Instagram. See original post here.
Eboni Ivory
Eboni a sweet souled YouTuber, Blogger, Actor, and Singer. Yes, this woman is a woman of many talents.
Eboni shares affordable fashion tips, beauty bits, and local Londoner lifestyle. I’m also a huge fan of her Reels and Tik Toks, they’re all cute and fun. She currently has started a Reel series called Beautiful London, sharing some of London’s prettiest locations.
People will see Eboni’s fair skin and not realise that she is of both Jamaican and Dutch heritage. Have a look at her #BLM highlight, where in addition to great signposting and informative content, she also shares her journey of having fairer skin and being mixed race.
What I love about Eboni is that she is very open and allows herself to be vulnerable online. Her creativity is inspiring and I look to her when I need some content inspiration.
Follow @eboniivoryblog on Instagram
Following Black content creators is a great way to show allyship and support the Black community. Instagram pages such as @influencerpaygap and @theblacktravelalliance, highlight the differences in representation and opportunities for people of colour. They hold companies accountable for the lack of diversity and the obvious pay gap between creators based on their race.
The Black Lives Matter movement has been a stepping stone for change. As individuals, we need to be proactive in encouraging and championing diversity. It’s not enough just to share an infographic on our stories.
By following Black content creators, not only are you getting daily doses of great content, but it’s really encouraging and motivating. Whether it’s a follow, like, comment, or share, it goes a long way.
Read next:
- 11 Books Based In London and the UK to Read During Lockdown
- 11 London-Themed Movies + TV Series to Watch While Stuck at Home
- 10 Cookbooks From Beloved London Restaurants You Should Definitely Get
Pin this to your London board…
