Living Authentically: A Conversation with Andrea Jenkins

Host Lala welcomes poet, writer, historian, activist, and former Minneapolis City Council president Andrea Jenkins to Snack Size. Jenkins introduces herself as a multidisciplinary artist and advocate for marginalized communities, especially Black trans women, and shares that she is currently focused on being a full-time writer. She recounts early inspiration from meeting Gwendolyn Brooks, later encouragement from Haki Madhubuti, and her path to publishing and performing. Jenkins discusses her historic election as the first out Black transgender woman in U.S. public office, mentorship and support during her time on the council, and the challenges and creative inspiration of the pandemic and George Floyd era as she works on a memoir combining public service and art. She reflects on community spaces for Black trans joy, defines success as overcoming adversity while opening doors for others, emphasizes living authentically, finds hope in Harriet Tubman’s example amid political backlash, and previews upcoming books, readings, and plays.

00:00 Welcome to Snack Size

00:55 Meet Andrea Jenkins

02:59 Finding Her Writer Identity

04:57 Chicago Roots and Poetry Beginnings

07:45 Memoir and Public Office Art

09:52 Mentors and Minneapolis Moments

11:28 Moms Advice on Love

12:27 Being Out in Black and Queer Spaces

15:06 Inspired by Young Black Trans Leaders

16:54 Drag Culture and Visibility Shifts

20:25 Defining Success and Authenticity

22:51 Hope in Hard Times and Whats Next

24:40 Closing