Clubhouse is an audio social media app which arguably has taken the Internet by storm. Available only on iPhones and still in the beta phase, it is being used by celebrities, influencers, and politicians, as well as creatives, entrepreneurs and the like. Access to the app is by invitation only, but anyone can create a ‘room’ and other users can choose to enter the room, or discussion. The creator is automatically the room moderator can ask the users who enter the room to be on what I can best describe as a speaker’s panel. Users in the audience can also signal by ‘waving’ to request to be added to the speaker’s panel or ‘stage’.
I found my way to the app purely by accident. I found several of my social media peers and few influencers I followed on Twitter talking about the conversations happening on the app. After seeing “Clubhouse”, “CH” or “room” a few times, I decided to see what the fuss was about. I had registered my interest and forgot about it until a friend invited me. Once I created my account, another few weeks passed before I figured out how to use the app.
There have been a number of situations or controversies that have taken place on the app, but three situations in particular are arguably so important or, coverage-worthy, I found myself seeing the likes of Wendy Williams discuss what had happened on her show. With all three situations, or rather conversations, I found black women at the centre in one way or the other.