Survival is the Protest: A Lordeian Framework of Survival Under Ongoing Oppression with Kenyette Tisha Barnes

Kenyette Tisha Barnes, political strategist, lobbyist, and National Co-Founder of #MuteRKelly will give Bryn Mawr College's annual Black History Month keynote address at 7PM on Friday, February 27, in the Great Hall of Old Library. Join Sisterhood* for an engaging and thought-provoking presentation, followed by a time for Q&A.

Barnes is known as the “Legislative Empress,” best known for her work with the Georgia General Assembly. Her legislative work includes lobbying for HIV advocacy, anti-human trafficking, domestic violence, post-partum depression, special education a

nd voter’s rights. 

Barnes work has served as an expert on sexual violence issues, and has been featured on BBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, HLN, ABC, NBC, CBS several other news outlets. 

This year’s Black History Month theme is “A Century of Black History Month Commemorations.” Kenyette has made a significant impact through her work in the #MeToo movement, particularly in advocating for legislative change and seeking justice for marginalized communities. Her life and example not only reflect the enduring influence of Black history but also illustrate how history is actively being shaped in the present.   

Kenyette’s talk is titled "Survival IS the protest: A Lordeian framework of survival under ongoing oppression". This lecture frames the work of Audre Lorde's "Litany for Survival" as a conceptual framework of survival as a tactic of revolution.