• Royce Fellowship
Ayana (Ana)
Boyd

Award Year 

2023
Resonance: Creative Futurity through the Black Radio Archive

Resonance is a project aimed at documenting and revitalizing the history and cultural significance of Black radio stations in the United States. With the introduction of streaming and the decline of the radio station, the project considers the possibilities for Black creative spaces in the current era by examining the historical framework of the radio station as a space for both showcase and curation of the work of Black musicians and construction of localized creative communities. Through oral histories, archival exploration, and documentary photography, I seek to not only document the stories of Black radio stations and their impact on their communities but also envision new spaces for Black cultural expression and community building.

Ayana is a Modern Culture and Media student at Brown University, specializing in art and community practice. Originally from the Seattle area, she has served as a Music Researcher for The Keeper Project, supporting the first online platform showcasing the 50-year history of women and girls in hip-hop. Ayana has also been the Music Director at WBRU 360, and currently serves as the General Manager for WBRU and Festival Director for Ivy Film Festival. She is passionate about developing intentional strategies to engage communities with artistic interventions in public spaces.