Social Media Star Knowa Develops Show for Roland Martin’s Platform

Last week’s Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago revealed one of the biggest cultural trend stories: the party’s enthusiastic embrace of social media creators and influencers. Among those who made a significant impact was 12-year-old Knowa De Baraso from Atlanta, who went viral after a memorable encounter with MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell on Day 3 of the DNC.

Knowa De Baraso, a home-schooled precocious pundit, quickly gained attention for his sharp rebuttal to Lindell’s claims about election fraud in Georgia. His now-famous retort, “So your source is ‘Trust me, bro?’” became an instant hit, even turning into a famous tagline for merchandise. This moment he propelled De Baraso to appearances on major platforms like NBC’s “Late Night With Seth Meyers” and “The Breakfast Club” radio show during the DNC.

De Baraso also made a splash in the U.K. with a live interview on Sky News with anchor Mark Austin, where he impressed viewers with his command of national politics and his ability to connect with younger voters. De Baraso explained his commitment to the election, stating, “We get to defeat Donald Trump, and we get a good policymaker in the White House. That’s why I’m all in.”

During the DNC, De Baraso ventured into Media Row in search of networking opportunities, which led to a significant meeting with veteran journalist Roland S. Martin. Martin, who has been a powerful voice in Black media, was so impressed by De Baraso’s knowledge and energy that he offered the young prodigy his own show on the Black Star Network.

Roland Martin has built his career on empowering the next generation of media stars, and his offer to De Baraso is a testament to his commitment to fostering new talent. “It’s not just his knowledge of the issues. It’s his energy,” Martin told Variety. As a teenager, Martin began his media journey and saw a kindred spirit in De Baraso.

Knowa De Baraso, whose social media handle is @KnowaWasTaken, is unabashedly pro-Democrat and a strong supporter of Kamala Harris. His political journey began in 2022 when he met Stacey Abrams during her gubernatorial campaign in Georgia, an experience that solidified his passion for electoral politics and progressive causes.

De Baraso’s network ability and understanding of key policy issues have already taken him to the White House twice. His work caught the attention of Jaime Harrison, chair of the 2024 DNC, who invited him to Chicago as a personal guest. Throughout the DNC, De Baraso was seen with prominent Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi, Gavin Newsom, Raphael Warnock, Rev. Al Sharpton, and many others.

Roland Martin’s decision to offer De Baraso a show on his network is part of a broader strategy to use the Black Star Network to empower and mentor young talent. Martin launched Black Star in 2018 and has since grown it into one of the most extensive Black-owned news media operations in the U.S.

Martin’s platform, Roland Martin Unfiltered, has thrived by focusing on news, politics, and commentary relevant to Black communities. The platform has grown steadily and is expected to generate nearly $4 million in revenue this year. Martin credits his success to staying disciplined about costs and focusing on building an audience show by show.

Summary Table:

With Roland Martin’s support and Black Star Network’s platform, Knowa De Baraso is poised to become a next-generation media star, bringing his passion for politics and youthful energy to a broader audience,