Keith Lee said he believes he has to work “30 times as hard” to gain any recognition as a Black content creator. 

Lee, a TikToker known for his viral food reviews, shared his journey during USF’s University Lecture Series Monday night. 

Related: USF to welcome TikToker Keith Lee for University Lecture Series 

When it comes to dealing with negativity or backlash, Lee looks back to his time as a mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter and takes what he learned there into content creation. 

“Don’t allow other people’s view of you change your view of you,” Lee said.  

Lee said he tries not to let negative comments get to him. 

“Nine times out of 10, it is somebody who just wants other people to find what they say funny and they are on the couch watching TV posting with nothing interesting to say,” he said.

Lee was paid $30,000 by USF for his lecture. 

Lee was asked a variety of questions, including the struggles faced by Black businesses, his anxiety and dealing with negativity. 

The event was held in the Marshall Student Center’s Ballroom. It began at 8 p.m. and lasted for an hour.

Lee said his love for cooking began while he worked as an MMA fighter going by the name “Killa.” He learned when to eat, what to eat and mainly how to cook. 

“I just spent a lot of time watching Food Network,” Lee said. “Learning how to cook myself, watching YouTube videos and talking to food scientists.”

At the time, Lee was cooking four meals a day for his pregnant wife, Ronni. He would document the meals he cooked on TikTok. 

Lee said he began to post as a way to overcome his social anxiety. He would turn on his phone and talk to his then-five followers as if there were thousands of people in front of him. 

Over time, Lee said he slowly built his confidence as a creator and as a speaker. He amassed a following of 17 million followers on TikTok. 

Related: USF’s Centre Gallery showcases Black History Month exhibit 

In honor of Black History Month, Lee also discussed the struggles many Black-owned businesses experience. 

Lee said although “everyone” has had a bad experience with a Black-owned business, they also have had a bad experience with a white-owned business. 

“Black-owned businesses are painted as unprofessional,” Lee said. “That is what they want us to believe.” 

Zakariah Lemons, a junior studying business management, attended the event out of her love for Lee as a content creator and to support a Black artist.  

Lemons had watched Lee grow on TikTok and witnessed him use his platform to “give back” to communities. 

“He’s amazing,” Lemons said. “He gave $50,000 to his old high school. Of course, I am going to support him.” 

Lee worked with Pizza Hut to donate $50,000 to two public schools. One of those was Oak Hills High School, which both Lee and his wife went to.

George Hurst, a sophomore biology major, said he enjoyed the event because he got to learn a lot from Lee that he wasn’t expecting. 

“Learning his anxieties and the ideas of being yourself was pretty interesting,” Hurst said. 

While Lee has gained a massive following on various social media platforms, he said it wouldn’t be possible without the audience. 

“I appreciate every last one of y’all being here,” Lee said. “From the bottom of my heart, I can’t express it enough.”