ICONversations, Pt. 2: Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole

Zora's Daughters

Welcome to our ICONversations, a series where you will hear iconic Black feminist anthropologists answer five questions about their intellectual projects and growth, what their work has meant to them, and the imprints they want to leave on the world.

In this episode, Brendane and Alyssa speak (and cry!) with Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, a Black feminist anthropologist who has practiced within and beyond the academy. We loved how she saw the vision of our questions and how she stands firmly and powerfully in her lanes while putting joy and passion first. In her words: "Joy is a human right." Dr. Cole was the first Black woman president of Spelman College, served as director of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art, and continues to follow her passion through activism and scholarship.

If you enjoyed this episode, please let us know by sharing it on social media! Tag us @zorasdaughters on Instagram and @zoras_daughters on Twitter. Find Dr. Cole on Instagram at @johnnettabcole and Johnnetta B. Cole on Facebook.

Transcript is available here.