You Don’t Own Me: Stories of Grit and Grace
Storytellers
01. Kimberly K Parker (Black is Beautiful)
02. Naasira Muhammad (I Love to Skate)
03. Cinnamon Brown (Being)
04. Nicole Tucker Smith (Victim or Villain)
05. Monifa Jeffrey-Riggins (Deeply Rooted)
06. Grammy Award Winner/Hip Hop Legend- Roxanne Shante
WATCH THE FULL SHOW
About the Show
The Short Kuts Show Presents: You Don’t Own Me: Stories of Grit and Grace
March 15, 2025
This special event celebrates the resilience, determination, and grace of women who have overcome obstacles to achieve greatness or find peace in their journeys. Through stories of triumph, vulnerability, and the unwavering spirit that makes women unstoppable forces of change, we honor their incredible strength.
Our celebratory storyteller for the evening is none other than Grammy Award Winner Roxanne Shante—a hip-hop legend whose story embodies the very essence of perseverance and empowerment. Rising from the Queensbridge projects, she became one of the first female rap pioneers, breaking barriers in a male-dominated industry with her raw talent and fearless voice. Her journey, immortalized in the Netflix biopic Roxanne Roxanne, sheds light on the struggles she faced—from the music business to personal hardships—and the unwavering resolve that led her to triumph.
Shante’s story is a testament to the theme of the evening: You Don’t Own Me—a declaration of independence, strength, and self-worth. As a trailblazer who refused to be silenced, she continues to inspire generations of women to own their power, rewrite their narratives, and stand tall in their truth.
This powerful evening is led by Executive Producer Dr. LaMarr Darnell Shields and Director Tuere Ganges, who bring their vision and passion to this celebration of resilience and empowerment.
