Anuli Akanegbu

Anuli Akanegbu (pronounced: Ah-noo-lee A-ka-nay-boo, pronouns: she/her) is a cultural anthropologist and a researcher for Data & Society’s Labor Futures program. Her primary research interests lie at the intersection of cultural anthropology, identity studies, history, and creative methodologies, focusing on labor and creative production.

With a unique blend of academic training and marketing experience, Anuli approaches projects as a subject matter expert and strategic thinker, helping to bridge the gap between scholarly insights and practical applications. Her doctoral dissertation research project, The South Got Something to Share: A Behind-the-Screens Look at the Work/Lives of Black Creative Contract Workers in Atlanta, was supported in part by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research and forms the basis of her forthcoming book on the genealogy of creative contract work, its interaction with identity, and the role of imagination in Atlanta’s city branding efforts.

Anuli is dedicated to advancing public scholarship and ensuring that anthropological knowledge is accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. She has shaped discussions on social media, the arts, and cultural heritage preservation through her multimedia education platform, BLK IRL® and its podcast. Anuli earned her PhD in cultural anthropology from NYU in May 2024 following a successful career as a senior strategist and brand planner at the global public relations and marketing firm Edelman. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and culture from Howard University.

Part of Fall 2024 Mellon Symposium