Afro Influencers: how agency for Italy's black Tiktokkers is challenging prejudices

Social media influencers of African origin have banded together, using fun activism' to make their voice heard

When Aida Diouf Mbengue made her debut on TikTok in 2019, it was partly to show solidarity with a Moroccan classmate who was being mocked for her dance clips on the social media app, but also to challenge prejudices.

The 15-second sketch features Mbengue, who was born in Senegal and has lived in Bergamo, northern Italy, since the age of three, wearing her hijab on a street and looking at her phone. Her sister, who filmed the video, asks: Aida, show me a photo of your ex." Mbengue, 19, quips: There's no need ... here's my ex", before jauntily turning around and pointing to a huge pile of rubbish. The two girls burst into giggles.