Maya James on Clubhouse

Bio

Maya James is an artist, writer, creator and activist based in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. Her works center around feminism, anti-racism, socialism and her experience as a cross-cultural black American from a racially hostile town in Northern Michigan. As a young freelance journalist, James’ works have been featured in the New York Times Race/Related, USA Today College, and YR Media. As an artist, James’ works have been exhibited during Artprize 2018 at the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (which won best juried venue), the Dennos Museum, the Black Arts and Cultural Center and one the Arts Council. Maya was the first black female recipient of the National Arab American Museum City Hall Art Space Residency in 2019, and she has spoken at numerous events on the importance of black liberation in arts and media. She is author and illustrator of Maamoul Press’s graphic novel “LUKUMI”, a story of the importance of black female solidarity and friendship and Afro-Atlantic faith. In her free time, Maya James organizes community events for black liberation, like the Juneteenth Celebration with the Vine Neighborhood Association she founded, and several marches for George Floyd and ABOLISH ICE. She considers herself a soldier for abolition, anti-racism, feminism and freedom unapologetically and at the same time.