Auntyland is a multidisciplinary arts space to celebrate aunts with stories, a holiday called ‘Real Aunties Day, and Auntyland Film Festival (AFF). On March 8, International Women’s Day, and throughout Women’s History Month March we feature programs by and about women and girls with a special focus on aunts.
We are deeply interested in identity, kinships, and work at the intersection of race, gender, and age. When we first envisioned Auntyland in 2017, we were thinking about the state of media for mature women of color. We tell our stories in many ways – film, writing, speaking, performing, the arts, gardening, cooking, and lifestyle. Our stories are endless and deep. With love and humor, we are sending shout-outs to aunties everywhere. We see you. We hear you. We imagine a land of aunts where our lives are affirmed, cultures explored, and new conversations open.
Re-emergence
We are re-emerging from Covid19 quarantine with renewed energy. Our online platform, re-imagined events, and merchandise are central to our re-boot campaign.
This is a multigenerational place. All are welcome. Visit us for flavors from the land of multicultural aunts.
Thank you!
Sylvia Wong Lewis, Auntyland, founder
Staff & Credits
Amy Azubuike, Scripps College ’22, Communications, Events, Research Intern. A Nigerian student who grew up in the Bronx, Amy is a gifted writer and researcher. She is passionate about people and society. She is exploring her many interests. Her other internships have included stints in higher education, health care, and banking.
Asha Futterman, Barnard College ’21, Communications & Research Specialist. Futterman is a poet and creator of Radical Black Women of Harlem: A Walking Tour, a mapping project she co-produced. Futterman will begin an MFA in Poetry at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.
Yansi Murga, Smith College ’20, Communications & Events Specialist. A Salvadoran in Los Angeles, Murga studied gender relations at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, Korea. She spent her junior year abroad in Copenhagen, studying environmental and family dynamics in a globalized world. She currently works as a case manager at a non-profit.
Sidney Smith is a retired radio engineer with over 40 years of experience. He engineered and hosted WBAI programs about society, sound effects, among many other topics. Sometimes he’s a freelance writer.
Yamilet Velez ’22, Smith College, Research, Grant Specialist & Writer. Velez is an empowered, Indigenous student who recently completed a Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Fellowship at Duke University, where she published research on Indigenous liberation and democracy in Guatemala. A government major, Yami is interested in politics, race, quantitative and qualitative research, civic engagement, immigration, labor law, and public policy.
Tech & Design Team
Cheryl Coward, ’91, Smith College, Digital & Tech Director. Coward is a technical writer, editor, and content producer, hoopfeed.com, a sports website considered the go-to women’s basketball news source by veteran broadcasters and legendary coaches.
Kimberly Smith Leppard, San Diego City College, Design & Graphics Director. Leppard is a San Diego-based mompreneur. Kimberly runs a home-based graphics design business while managing a plant-based lifestyle with two young children and a husband.
Web Consultants: Logan Snyder ’19, Smith College, CEO, HasOptimization.com based in New Hampshire; Courtney Fappiano ’19, Smith College, Client Relationship Manager.
Mission Statement
Auntyland’s mission is simple. To spread love and joy. To celebrate BIPOC resilience, build community, and protect Mother Earth.
Auntyland is a non-profit organization fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas and Narrative Network, a storytelling platform. For more information, send a note to: sylvia@auntyland.com