Keynote by Alok Vaid-Menon

More on Alok: Born and raised in in Texas, Alok began writing poetry to cope with racism and transmisogyny. In 2009 they joined their college poetry collective and the rest was history…or rather “theirstory.” Alok received a BA in Feminist Studies and Ethnic Studies and a MA in Sociology (Social Movements). In 2013 they began working with the Audre Lorde Project, a grassroots organizing center for LGBTSTGNC people of color, where they served as the Communications & Grassroots Fundraising Coordinator. Alok became a public figure through DarkMatter, an artistic collaboration with Janani Balasubramanian, presenting their work to eager audiences across the world. In 2017 DarkMatter came to a close and Alok continued their work as a solo artist, media personality, and social justice educator. They been featured in HBO, MTV, The Guardian, National Geographic, The New York Times, The New Yorker and have presented at 400 venues in more than 20 countries and 6 continents.

*All conference videos captured by the exceptional Fatima Mawas*

View the rest of the LISTEN Conference 2016 videos here.