Art as Radical Practice: Black Women’s Creative Expression as Social Change

This powerful panel showcases three Black women artists, authors, and activists who use their creative practices to challenge oppressive systems and fight for social, cultural, and environmental justice. Through their intersectional approaches, they address race, gender, inequality, and healing. Berkeley Poet Laureate, organizer, activist and author of Undisclosed, Aya de León, explores race, gender, social and climate justice in her writings. As Director of Poetry for the People at UC Berkeley, she empowers marginalized voices through poetry and spoken word. Ashara Ekundayo, Black feminist artist and curator, creates healing spaces rooted in African Diaspora traditions. Through photography, public installations, and altar-making, she amplifies Black womxn’s voices and explores art’s power to heal and resist oppression. Cat Brooks, award-winning playwright, actress, and activist, confronts police violence, racial injustice, and incarceration through theater. As a resident playwright with The Lower Bottom Playaz and host of Law & Disorder on KPFA, she uses storytelling to inspire change. Moderated by Pecolia Manigo.