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Our Difference Makes the Difference: Celebrating Diversity in an Oppressive Era
It’s not breaking news that “CRT” and “DEI” have become racist dog whistles across the US in a politically polarized time. Still, our differences are what make us great. Akilah guides interested institutions through the murky waters of backlash to the Black Lives Matter movement, and reminds us why diversity isn’t a bad word.
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Building a Better South
Using one of the taglines of the excellent periodical Bitter Southerner Magazine, Akilah imagines a South that is far-less stereotyped and far more impactful nationally and globally. She dives deep into the history of the south, and how it’s been forgotten (save for being used as a prop during election season), and highlights the really impressive efforts to bring conservation, culture, and equality to the forefront.
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Using Comedy to Have Tough Conversations
Akilah believes deeply that we are all more alike than we are different, so why is simply talking through our issues such a daunting task? The solution might be adding a little levity to break down barriers to understanding and finally move forward together. Through 101 comedy training, the audience learns that no matter who they are, they can make powerful inroads simply by telling their stories in a way that invites others to smile.
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Talk Back: How to Survive the 2024 Election
Every 4 years we as citizens have the monumental task of surviving election season. While politicians sling mud, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the endless news cycle, latent fact-checking, and those pesky fundraising text messages. Let Akilah’s daily news expertise teach you how to be a conscious consumer of news and how to rally those around you without burning out.
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How to Build a Playlist
Every weekend Akilah shares her favorite songs from Spotify’s “New Music Friday” with her audience on Instagram. She also curates loads of playlists for any mood. If you want to have a nice hangout or create a vibe for an event, this fun talk asks you to really dig deep and discover what you actually love about your favorite tunes.
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Interior Design: Working with What You Have
Surprising no one, Akilah’s taste also extends to curating beautiful spaces IRL. College students love to learn how to make the most of what they already have in their dorm rooms, and this program takes the pressure off having to spend big bucks making your space cute enough to post online.
See Akilah Hughes in action.
Host of “What A Day” podcast; Author of OBVIOUSLY: Stories from my Timeline
Akilah Hughes (class of 2010) is a true multi-hyphenate. An award-winning podcast host of Crooked Media’s “What a Day” daily news podcast, a WGA Award nominated writer of a climate-conscious web series for Steven Soderbergh, and the author of “Obviously: Stories from my Timeline” for Penguin Random House, this Sundance Episodic Story Lab Fellow and USC MacArthur Foundation Civic Media Fellow does just about everything in her own unique, comedic style. Akilah has created hundreds of videos garnering more than 100 million views across the internet for companies like HBO, Comedy Central, ABC, and her own YouTube channel since 2013. She currently hosts “How is this Better” from Courier Newsroom and the Webby and Signal-award winning podcast “Rebel Spirit” from iHeartRadio and Ninth Planet Audio. In it, she returns to her hometown of Florence, KY to try to convince her high school to change their dated, racist mascot, “The Rebels” into something “everyone in the south loves,” “The Biscuits.” Her background as a southerner turned coastal elite (her words) has given her a broader perspective about how we can build a better future even if we don’t all agree.
Our speakers get attention.
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The South Has PowerKentucky-born and Beverly Hills-based writer, comedian, and podcast host Akilah Hughes pens Issue No. 4’s Letter From Home ahead of this year’s elections.
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“The Princess and the Pod” (with Akilah Hughes)This week Erin Ryan and Alyssa Mastromonaco discuss Gavin Newsom’s resounding recall win, the Larry Nassar hearing, Joe Manchin and the confusion over booster shots. Then Dana Schwartz and Akilah…
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She grew up in Northern Kentucky, now she’s on ‘Bob’s Burgers’ and Comedy CentralAkilah Hughes could choose several different answers for the “occupation” space on the 1040 form.
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You’ve Never Seen Patty-Cake Played Like ThisComedy Central is sitting on its best digital sketch series since Astronomy Club, and we’ve got the pleasure of being the first to share it with the world.
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In ‘Obviously,’ Comedian Muses About Growing Up In A Small Kentucky TownNPR's Ailsa Chang speaks with comedian Akilah Hughes about a collection of short essays in her new book, Obviously.
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Comedian Akilah Hughes on Life, Death and When to Just Laugh It OffThe stand-up, actress, and writer talks about her debut memoir, "Obviously: Stories From My Timeline," seeing life in a new light, and why she doesn't read the comments.
