In 2017, founded by Kenyette Tisha Barnes and Oronike Odeleye, #MuteRKelly used a hybrid organizing strategy to hold accountable R&B singer Robert Sylvester Kelly, “R. Kelly”, for over 30 years of unchecked sexual violence, sex trafficking, and violence against adolescent and young adult Black women and girls. As a result of the campaign, there was a marked economic loss of approximately $4 Million in lost ticket sales, bans from urban radio, canceled concerts, media and entertainment scrutiny (most notably the docuseries, “Surviving R. Kelly”), and a Federal conviction. #MuteRKelly, created a paradigm shift and exposed how the intersections of power, misogynoir, and adultification, created a breeding ground for corruption, sex trafficking, and abuse. #MuteRKelly approached activism from an intersectional lens, understanding that the dominant players within the anti-trafficking movement often neglect the unique experiences of Black female victims of sexual violence. Next, the campaign sought to organize a diverse coalition of legislative, judicial, mental health, media, entertainment, and community partners. Finally, #MuteRKelly employed traditional grassroots organizing, including protests, rallies, and the formulation of 13 global chapters, including Berlin and Amsterdam. In this session, the presenter will provide a call to action for intersectionality in programming, reporting, and agency leadership and to divest from the systemic marginalization of BIPOC thought leaders and survivors' voices in the anti-trafficking discourse.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Kenyette Tisha Barnes is a career political strategist, registered federal and state lobbyist, activist, survivor, former epidemiologist, organizer, mother, and the Co-Founder of the #MuteRKelly Movement. She is also an international organizer, human trafficking prevention expert, and has worked as a public speaker and lecturer.