This post was originally published on Defender Network
By Amaka Watson
This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is “Celebrating Women Who Tell Stories.”
We are celebrating Black millennial women who have used their voices and creativity to share stories that educate, inspire and entertain the world.
These women have used all forms of media and storytelling, such as art, radio, spoken word, music, television, podcasts and blogging in pursuit of truth, and the preservation of our history and culture.
Here are the Defender’s top five picks.
Issa Rae: Creator, Director, Actor, Producer
Best known for: HBO hit show “Insecure.”
Impact: She turned her YouTube series “Mis-Adventures of an Awkward Black Girl” into a hit series with HBO that highlights the untold stories of being a young, Black professional millennial in pursuit of love and success.
Michaela Coel: Actor, Producer, Writer
Best known for: TV Series Chewing Gum and HBO’s “I May Destroy You”
Impact: The British star created a groundbreaking drama (“I May Destroy You,” focusing on the traumas of sexual assault. She wrote, starred, and directed it. Channeling past experiences from her life, the show was heavy, complex and touched on societal and cultural issues impacting the Black diaspora in London.
Amanda Gorman: Poet
Best Known for: Youngest Inaugural poet in U.S history
Impact: She was the breakout star who solidified her name as one of the youngest inaugural poets to grace the state at President Joe Biden’s Inauguration. She recited her poem, “The Hill We Climb,” a call for America to reconcile and rebuild its deeply rooted racial inequities.
Lizzo: Grammy Award-winning Recording Artist
Best Known For: Her songs “Juice,” “My Skin” and “Lingerie.”
Impact: Her music and her brand champion women’s empowerment. She is a plus-size woman who unapologetically embraces her body and celebrates it without conforming to society’s standards of beauty.
Lena Waithe: Actor, Producer, Screenwriter
Best Known For: Creator of the Showtime drama series “The Chi”
Impact: She created the show “The Chi” focusing on the life of an LGBTQ+ Black woman, placing Black LGBTQ+ characters at the forefront instead of in the background. She continues to elevate the stories of people who are underrepresented through her craft in TV and film.