Mikki Kendall facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mikki Kendall
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| Born | October 23, 1976 Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | English |
| Genres | Essays Cultural critic |
| Notable work | Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists Hood Feminism |
Mikki Kendall (born October 23, 1976) is an American author, activist, and cultural critic. A cultural critic is someone who studies and shares ideas about society's trends, art, and media. Kendall often writes about current events, how different groups of people are shown in the media, and the history of feminism (the movement for women's rights).
She is the author of the graphic novel Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists and the non-fiction book Hood Feminism.
Contents
Early Life and School
Mikki Kendall was born in Chicago, Illinois, on October 23, 1976. She grew up in the Hyde Park neighborhood of the city.
In 2005, Kendall graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. She also earned a Master's degree in Writing and Publishing from DePaul University.
Writing and Activism
Before becoming a full-time writer, Kendall served in the United States Army. She also worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs until 2013.
Today, Kendall is known for her essays and cultural commentary. Her work has appeared in major publications like The Guardian, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, and Essence. She has also been a guest commentator on news channels like NPR, Al Jazeera English, and the BBC.
Important Online Conversations
Kendall is a well-known voice on social media, especially as part of Black Twitter. She has created several viral Twitter hashtags to start important conversations.
- #SolidarityIsForWhiteWomen: Kendall started this hashtag to point out that the mainstream feminist movement sometimes ignored the unique challenges faced by women of color.
- #FastTailedGirls: This hashtag was used to discuss how young Black girls are often treated as if they are older than they really are.
- #FoodGentrification: This hashtag brought attention to how traditional foods from certain cultures can become trendy and expensive. This sometimes makes it hard for the people from those cultures to afford their own food.
Books by Mikki Kendall
In 2016, Kendall edited a science-fiction collection called Hidden Youth.
Her graphic novel, Amazons, Abolitionists, and Activists: A Graphic History of Women's Fight for Their Rights, was published in 2019. It uses pictures and stories to teach about the history of women fighting for their rights.
In 2020, she released Hood Feminism: Notes From the Women That a Movement Forgot. In this book, Kendall argues that the feminist movement has often focused on the problems of wealthy women. She says the movement needs to pay more attention to basic issues that affect many women, especially women of color. These issues include poverty, safe housing, and access to healthcare.
Awards and Honors
- 2017: Best Food Essay Award from the Association of Food Journalists for her essay "Hot Sauce in Her Bag". The essay discussed Black identity, culture, and food.
