Tech Tuesdays - Make an impact with a #hashtag

The impact of Social Media on people is not anything new. Social Media has been the number one channel for spreading information to the public for a while. Weather it is news, entertainment, everyday topics or business promotions Social Media is the number one source for reaching people globally 24 hours a day with instant information.

As an artist or a public figure Social Media is a powerful tool not only to spread creative work but also to start movement and have an impact on your followers. Entertainers and artists around the globe uses Social Media to reach as many people as possible with this comes opportunities and growth to your followers.

Next step is start a movement, make a change, spread the word and use your platform to make yourself and your cause heard.

Movements like #BlackLifesMatter , #BringBackOurGirls or #RefugeesWelcome have been worldwide movements that has given people voices and power for the past two years. Never in history has information spreading been so instant, fast and globally spread. Politicians,Public figures, Artists, Celebrates and Influencers have all used their Social Media voice to make a change.

The latest topic in the entertainment business is mental health, its has been a topic touched upon since a few months ago, specifically discussing the topic of mental health amongst young black men. Kid Cudi started a movement with his status update on Facebook “I am not at peace,” Scott Mescudi, widely known as Kid Cudi, shared on Facebook. “I haven’t been since you’ve known me.”

“My anxiety and depression have ruled my life for as long as I can remember and I never leave the house because of it,” he wrote. “I cant make new friends because of it. I don't trust anyone because of it and Im tired of being held back in my life. I deserve to have peace.”

The opening of Kid Cudi's dialogue is important, he started a conversation that spread fast on Social Media.

" According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, African-Americans are 20 percent more likely to experience serious mental health issues than the general population. The concern is heightened when looking specifically at Black men — who are exposed to many factors that exacerbate mental illness — and, as NAMI notes, though women are more likely to attempt suicide, men are four times more likely to die from it."

And this is where Cudi triumphs: not only is he courageous in speaking up and seeking help, but he’s also encouraging and engaging in a critical conversation.

Shortly after publishing his open letter to fans, Black men began asking each other on Twitter: “#YouGoodMan?”

The hashtag was started as a “permission slip for vulnerability in a world that hides depression under toxic expressions of masculinity,”

After the movement #YouGoodMan was created it has brought light to the topic, many news outlets, blogs and people started discussing the matter and a voice for people was created.

As an artist, entertainer or entrepreneur know your power and your ability to use your voice for good causes, movements and changes.

#tech