OnRaé LaTeal Watkins is an award-winning producer, creative arts educator and cultural organizer whose work sits at the intersection of art, technology and education equity. Known for transforming sounds from the movement into contemporary songs, her music serves as the soundtrack of the revolution and ongoing work of community organizers fighting for Black liberation.
OnRaé’s most celebrated work includes The Black Joy Experience, a musical compilation album of mainstream freedom songs and liberation chants she produced with the national activist organization, Black Youth Project 100. Her latest achievement includes the award-winning visual album “We Keep Us Safe”.; receiving a 2022 Webby’s Anthem Award, and 2022 Telly Award.
As a seasoned educator and cultural organizer, OnRaé operates as the founder of two creative-arts grassroots initiatives including the Freedom Futures Collective and Black Girls Handgames Project. Both work to uplift the artistic talents and lived experiences of youth who have been traditionally locked out of professional STEAM-related opportunities. Over the years, she has provided arts education and creative production services to organizations recognized nationally and internationally, including the Smithsonian Institution, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Open Society Foundations, National Crittenton Foundation, Grantmakers for Girls of Color, and Howard University owned 96.3 WHUR-FM.
OnRaé currently serves as the Senior Manager of Youth Development for Children’s Defense Fund-California state office.