About Yaba

Dr. Yaba Blay is an “Independent People’s Worker” who works in service of Black liberation every day. A scholar-activist, cultural worker, public voice, and occasional writer, her practice centers global Black lived experiences, particularly those of Black women and girls.

 
 
 
 
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Scholar-Activist

Dr. Blay expertly translates her research and scholarship into engaging creative projects that seek to impact, if not change, our lived experiences for the better -- work that inspires both critical thinking and action.

Lauded by O Magazine for her social media activism, she has launched several viral campaigns including Locs of Love, #PrettyPeriod, and #ProfessionalBlackGirl.

Dr. Blay is the author of the award-winning One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race, the inspiration behind CNN’s television documentary “Who is Black in America?,” for which she served as consulting producer.

 
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Public VOICE

Widely respected as one of the foremost thought leaders on the Black experience, Dr. Blay is a globally sought-after speaker on such topics as colorism, skin bleaching, beauty politics, as well as her various creative projects. Her likeness and commentary are featured in A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond, a permanent installation exhibited in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.

 
 
 

 
 
 
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Cultural WORKER

 
 
 
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If you're interested in booking me for an interview, speaking engagement, or consulting, please use the form below.