Today we’d like to introduce you to Amani Southerland.
Hi Amani, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Originally from Brooklyn, NY, I’ve always dreamed of changing the world. The easiest way for me to do so was by working towards changing the environment that people that look like me are born into. After attending a predominately white high-school and being ridiculed for being unapologetically black, I decided I had to take my experiences and knowledge to the deep South! After majoring in criminal justice admin and minoring in political science, I began to make a name for myself in the metro Atlanta area. With being an executive board member with Georgia NAACP, being apart of the historically black lawyers association and being a member of different law societies, I was graced with an opportunity to intern with the District Attorney of Fulton County during my matriculation at Clark Atlanta University. This experience led me to realize that my purpose is bigger than being apart of the system that has been built against us.
I explored my passion in entertainment and quickly realized the influence that music has on my community. I worked with many different artists, activations and festivals within Atlanta and built a report with the industry. I was granted my first job with a well-known New York record label, Highbridge the Label, which led me to be able to work alongside some of my favorite artists! Before graduating, I sat and wondered how I can put my purpose in community development and my passion in music together to accomplish my goals. I became close with Ceo Lee and he guided me to explore my options when it came to both the political and entertainment worlds. In 2020, I became an author when I released my self-published book entitled Hood Politics. The book is written for people who look like me that grew up in the same circumstances as me. To encourage them to get involved and exercise their civic duties so we can make this world a better place.
On Juneteenth, I was able to have an event in southside Atlanta where we had some of Atlanta’s favorite artists perform in lieu of a Juneteenth celebration. At the event, we were able to register over 1,000 new first time voters and allow “the hood” to become acclimated with their legislators. With all of that being said, I currently work full-time with Stacey Abrams in Fair Fight Action as a field organizer, a communications fellow under Community Change Action, a legislative aide with the youngest House Representative in Georgia, an artist manager with The System Marketing and Management, along with my many other involvements (The People’s Uprising, Black Youth Vote, Entertainment Caucus). My mission is to blend social justice activism and the arts, to change the laws and policies that affect our communities, to encourage influencers to utilize their platforms for the greater good, to start good trouble! Look what happens when the hood shows up and shows out… we control the house, the senate and the presidency!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Many do not know that I am a Lupus patient. Lupus is something that affects me every day but it hasn’t stopped me from accomplishing any of my goals.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am very versatile. You can call me if you have a run-in with the law if you have trouble understanding politics, if you need an event planner or if you’re an artist and you need some management!
Pricing:
- Purchase my book on Amazon for $22.50
Contact Info:
- Instagram: amanimonet._
