Welcome to KQED Arts’ Women to Watch, a series celebrating 20 local women artists, creatives and makers who are pushing boundaries in 2016. Driven by passion for their own disciplines, from photography to comedy and every other medium in between, these women are true vanguards paving the way in their respective communities.
As one-half of the popular podcast Call Your Girlfriend and one of Forbes' 30 Under 30 in tech, part-time San Franciscan Aminatou Sow is nothing short of a digital powerhouse. When she's not talking all things pop culture, politics and feminism with "long-distance bestie" Ann Friedman, she's developing digital strategies for Google - and making time to see Beyonce in concert sometime in between.
Listen to her reflect on San Francisco, Adnan Syed and the wage gap with the sparkling group at The Cooler podcast, then read below to learn more about what makes Aminatou truly #BayBrilliant.
Where do you live?
Sponsored
Castro, SF even though that terrible app Nextdor calls this neighborhood West Dolores. What a terrible and untrue name.
Describe yourself in one word?
Kara Swisher, who will one day be our mayor, says I'm ebullient so ebullient is it!
What did you do last night?
My boo made me dinner and I made him watch Age of Adeline, a very important romance fantasy film set in San Francisco. Just kidding that movie is terrible but Michiel Huisman is so bae.
Aminatou Sow (Photo: Travis Jensen)
What can’t you live without?
My friends
If you could travel any where in the world, where would it be?
I've never been to the Maldives and am dying to visit.
Who is your personal hero? Why?
Not particularly big on heroes but I've been revisiting Audre Lorde's work and it's really speaking to me in a deep and personal way. I've also been thinking a lot about Shirley Chisholm who essentially made today's Democratic party possible. We have the first woman nominee of a major party because of her vision, tenacity and courage. Oh also I love Oprah. Everything I do is to make Oprah proud.
How did you find your creative voice?
It's an ongoing process but I think that at the heart of it it's about knowing your value and your worth. If you can walk in your own truth, listen to your own voice and ignore the pressure of other people's expectations for your life, you will live your fullest, best and most creative life.
Aminatou Sow (Photo: Travis Jensen)
What is something most people don't know about you?
I have seen and love every single episode of King of The Hill.
What do you do when you feel uninspired/blocked/etc?
I drop everything and go for a walk. I'll also try to call an old friend and catch up with them. There's just something about being outside, and listening to someone else that really helps.
What’s your greatest achievement and how has it shaped you?