Instagram has announced a new creator recognition program called “Rings”, an award that will honor 25 creators with both a physical Gold Ring and a matching Badge on their profiles. Described as a celebration of creativity, originality, and cultural impact, the platform says the award is for those who “don’t just participate in culture, but shift it.”
The winners will be selected by a panel featuring Instagram Head Adam Mosseri, makeup artist Pat McGrath, filmmaker Spike Lee, designer Marc Jacobs, actress Yara Shahidi and YouTuber Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) amongst others. According to Instagram, the goal is to spotlight creators who have broken barriers and realized their ambitions by “doing it their way.”
“This award is for the creators who don’t just participate in culture—but shift it,” the company said in a statement. “Because every act of creativity, big or small, can lead to something great.”
While the sentiment behind the Rings Award is commendable, the announcement has sparked a familiar question across the African creator community: Will African creators be represented?
A Familiar Pattern of Exclusion
Despite housing some of the most innovative digital voices, Africa’s creator economy continues to face underrepresentation in global recognition programs. We’ve seen this with TikTok’s monetization rollout, which initially left African creators out of the earning programs available to their Western counterparts. And even as African creators dominate global trends, from dance challenges to beauty movements and meme culture; they’re often left out of the narrative when rewards and visibility are distributed.
The Rings judging panel, notably, does not include an Africa based creative — a concerning omission for a platform that prides itself on diversity and cultural inclusivity. Without representation on the decision-making side, it’s difficult to see how the awards will truly reflect the full spectrum of global creativity.
African creators continue to redefine what influence looks like. Their creativity transcends borders and languages, setting trends that ripple far beyond the continent. Yet, recognition and support from the global platforms they thrive on remains inconsistent. Many African creators are still excluded from monetization tools, partnership programs, and awards that celebrate “global” talent.
If Instagram truly wants the Rings Award to celebrate culture-shifting creativity, inclusion needs to go beyond rhetoric. There should be representation on the judging panel from different regions, including Africa and there should be investment in African creator programs that ensure visibility, support, and fair compensation.
Until then, initiatives like Rings risk feeling performative, celebrating creativity while overlooking the very regions that have been central to shaping global digital culture.
Global recognition should mean just that — global. Not selective visibility for those in certain zip codes. Instagram’s Rings Award may be a golden opportunity but for African creators, the question remains whether it’s one they’ll actually be invited to wear.
