Amplifying Narratives Through Art with Janelle Monáe

In this episode of “B The Way Forward,” recorded live at Grace Hopper Celebration 2023, host Brenda Darden Wilkerson talks with creative dynamo Janelle Monáe, exploring the intersection between art and technology. Janelle delves into her journey as a multi-hyphenate actress, musician, author, and activist and her poignant roles in films like “Moonlight”, “Glass Onion”, and “Hidden Figures”. And they discuss how art serves as a powerful tool for change, illuminating and amplifying the narratives of women, especially women of color, in tech. As Janelle reflects on forging her identity through her craft, she also shares some pearls of wisdom for those eager to find their own voice.

“Erasure of identities is just dangerous. It’s just so dangerous to omit the truth. And we just need more truth tellers. And more people in the position of power fighting back against that… Using your power and your influence to combat ignorance is really going to be one of the ways forward.”

X –@JanelleMonae

Instagram – @janellemonae

Facebook – /janellemonae

YouTube – @janellemonae

On the web – jmonae.com

—

At AnitaB.org, we envision a future where the people who imagine and build technology mirror the people and societies for whom they build it. Find out more about how we support women, non-binary individuals, and other underrepresented groups in computing, as well as the organizations that employ them and the academic institutions training the next generations.

—

Connect with AnitaB.org

Instagram – @anitab_org

Facebook – /anitab.0rg

LinkedIn – /anitab-org

On the web – anitab.org 

—

B The Way Forward Is…

Produced by Dominique Ferrari and Paige Hymson

Sound design and editing by Neil Innes and Ryan Hammond 

Mixing and mastering by Julian Kwasneski 

Associate Producer is Faith Krogulecki

Executive Produced by Dominique Ferrari, Stacey Book, and Avi Glijansky for Riveter Studios and Frequency Machine 

Executive Produced by Arlan Hamilton for Arlan Was Here

Executive Produced by Brenda Darden Wilkerson for AnitaB.org

  Podcast Marketing from Lauren Passell and Arielle Nissenblatt with Riveter Studios and Tink Media in partnership with Carolyn Schneller and Coley Bouschet at AnitaB.org

Photo of Brenda Darden Wilkerson by Mandisa Media Productions

For more ways to be the way forward, visit AnitaB.org