Ytasha L. Womack is an American writer, filmmaker, and cultural critic recognized for her work in Afrofuturism, race, and speculative fiction.[1][2] She is most known for her book Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture (2013). Womack blends storytelling with academic analysis to provide perspectives on how Black culture interacts with ideas of the future and technology.[3]
Ytasha L. Womack | |
|---|---|
_(23482312722).jpg) Arizona State University, December 2015 | |
| Born | January 22 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer, filmmaker, and cultural critic |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
In addition to being an author, Womack has made contributions to film, with various of her short films being showcased at festivals. She is also a frequent speaker and educator, lecturing at universities like DePaul and Rutgers on Afrofuturism, speculative fiction, and cultural studies.[4]
Womack’s work is a mix of writing, film, and cultural analysis. This has made her a well-known voice in Afrofuturism. Her work contributes to discussions about race, technology, and the future, and she is recognized as an influential figure in contemporary cultural conversations.[3][2]
Education
editWomack was born and raised in Chicago. After graduating from Whitney M. Young Magnet High School, Womack attended Clark Atlanta University where she received a bachelor’s in Mass Media Arts. She continued her education at Columbia College Chicago where she Studied Arts, Media, and Entertainment Management. [5] [6] Additionally, she holds a certificate in Metaphysics Studies (Better Living) from the Johnnie Coleman Institute.
Career
editWomack is a writer, most known for her book Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture, a novel that explores the intersection of African American culture and speculative genres. The book is deemed as an overview of Afrofuturism by members of the community, as it explores the intersection of science fiction, futurism, and culture.[3] The book is also a 2014 Locus Awards Non Fiction Finalist.[7]
Works
editNovels
edit- Beats, Rhymes and Life: What We Love & Hate About Hip Hop (2007)
- Post Black: How a New Generation is Refining African American Identity (2010)
- Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture (2013)
- Rayla 2212 (2014)
- Rayla 2213 (2016)
- Black Panther: A Cultural Exploration (2023)
Films
edit| Year | Title | Credited as | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Tupac: Before I Wake | Co-producer | Documentary |
| 2004 | Love Shorts | Producer and writer | Drama |
| 2006 | The Engagement: My Phamily BBQ 2 | Director | Comedy |
| 2017 | A Love Letter to the Ancestors From Chicago | Director | Afrofuturist dance film |
| 2018 | Couples Night | Screenwriter | Romantic comedy |
References
edit- ^ Roush, Wade (2021-05-04), ""A Veil Was Broken": Afrofuturist Ytasha L. Womack on the Work of Science Fiction in the 2020s", Make Shift, The MIT Press, pp. 1–10, ISBN 978-0-262-36349-5, retrieved 2024-11-12
- ^ a b Walker, Aswad (2023-05-03). "Afrofuturism: Envisioning a better tomorrow for Black people". DefenderNetwork.com. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ a b c van Veen, tobias c. (2013). "Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci-Fi and Fantasy Culture". Dancecult. 5 (2): 152–157. doi:10.12801/1947-5403.2013.05.02.08.
- ^ "Price Institute | Marion Thompson Wright Lecture Series". Rutgers SAS-Newark. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ "Some big ideas in little literary packages - Northwest". digitaledition.chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ Reader, The MIT Press (2021-08-19). ""A Veil Was Broken": Afrofuturist Ytasha L. Womack on the Work of Science Fiction in the 2020s". The MIT Press Reader. Retrieved 2024-11-12.
- ^ admin (2014-06-28). "2014 Locus Awards Winners". Locus Online. Retrieved 2024-11-07.