Liberation, Softness, and A Good Ol’ Banjo with EbonyJanice

noseyAF: Conversations about Art, Activism, and Social Change

Ep # 69: Liberation, Softness, and A Good Ol’ Banjo

“I'm brilliant because my ancestors were brilliant.”

- EbonyJanice

Welcome to episode 69, Liberation, Softness, and A Good Ol’ Banjo!

This episode invites you to reflect on your own journey toward softness, wholeness, and unapologetic self-expression. Whether you’re an artist, activist, or simply someone looking to heal, EbonyJanice’s insights will leave you feeling inspired and ready to embrace your truth.

✨ Episode Summary

In this robust conversation, I’m joined by the incredible EbonyJanice, author of All Black Girls Are Activists. We dive into the transformative world of Fourth Wave Womanism, where personal wellness and self-care are celebrated as radical acts of resistance and pathways to liberation. EbonyJanice’s work bridges art, activism, and academia, offering fresh perspectives on reclaiming your story and prioritizing your well-being as a Black woman or femme individual.

📝 What We Discuss:

• 🌊 Fourth Wave Womanism: Redefining womanism beyond feminism to center the lived experiences of Black women, emphasizing healing, empowerment, and radical self-acceptance.
• 🎨 Art as Activism: Creativity as a declaration of existence, challenging societal norms, and uplifting Black female narratives.
• 🪶 Honoring Ancestors: The importance of connecting with heritage for spiritual and legal empowerment.
• 🌻 Healing & Liberation: How Black American women are reclaiming their stories and moving toward freedom from historical trauma through art and community.
• 🫶🏾 Community & Collaboration: Building networks that encourage vulnerability, authenticity, and collective growth.

👩🏾‍🏫 EbonyJanice’s Bio:

EbonyJanice is the founder and CEO of The Free People Project and The Ebony Janice Project. She has authored several books, including All Black Girls Are Activists: A Fourth Wave Womanist Pursuit Of Dreams As Radical Resistance. Her Spiritual Mentorship Program, “Dream Yourself Free,” supports Black Women in healing intergenerational wounds and prioritizing pleasure. Ebony Janice’s talks embody a Hip Hop Womanist perspective.

She is the visionary behind Black Girl Mixtape, a platform uplifting the intellectual authority of Black Women, and the All The Black Girls Are Bestsellers Campaign, which has raised over a million dollars to mass purchase Black femme books with the goal of getting them on The New York Times Best Sellers List. This project has contributed to Black and Indie-owned bookstores and gifted thousands of books nationwide.

Ebony Janice earned her Bachelor’s in Cultural Anthropology and Political Science and a Master of Arts in Social Change with a concentration in Spiritual Leadership, Womanist Theology, and Racial Justice.

Chapters:

• 00:07 - Introduction to Ebony Janese: Activist and Artist
• 06:11 - The Emergence of Fourth Wave Womanism
• 13:47 - The Journey of Self-Discovery
• 29:58 - The Role of Ancestry in Faith
• 41:02 - Waking Up with Intention
• 49:54 - The Power of Softness and Being Seated
• 59:24 - The Influence of Housewife Culture

📚 A Few of the Folks EbonyJanice knows IYKYK

• Alice Walker
• Sonya Renee Taylor
• James Cone
• Patrisse Cullors
• Toni Morrison
• Audre Lorde
• June Jordan
• Phyllis Wheatley

🎉 Sponsor Shoutout:

This episode is sponsored by Graham Cracker Pins!

Check out the Soft Style Pin that pairs perfectly with today’s episode, available on the noseyAF Website’s shop tab.

🎉 Check out Ebony Janice Book!

• 📖 All Black Girls Are Activists by Ebony Janice (affiliate link)

🌐 Connect with Ebony Janice:

• Instagram: @ebonyjanice
• Website: ebonyjanice.com

💌 Connect & Stay Updated

• Visit my website (Art, Projects & More)
• Follow on Instagram (@stephaniegraham)
• Join my Studio Newsletter
• Listen to more episodes

🌟 Support & Feedback

• Share noseyAF with friends
• Rate & Review the Show
• Buy Pins & Prints | Shop Art
• Join the noseyAF Dispatch
• Send Feedback or Message

🎥 Episode Credits:

Produced, Hosted, and Edited by Stephanie (teaching myself audio editing!)

Lyrics: Queen Lex

Instrumental: Freddie Bam Fam