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The Electric Lady, Born from the Heartland

Janelle Monae may be globetrotting superstar, but she has her roots in Kansas City


              Janelle Monae is an award-winning R&B artist, owner of the record label Wondaland Arts Society, and actress in award winning films such as Hidden Figures and Moonlight. Monae is well known for her presence in the Afrofuturism movement, which reimagines the African tradition in the framework of science fiction. However, despite becoming an immense success, Monae has humble routes. She was born in Kansas City, Kansas, Dorothy Gale from the Wizard of Oz becoming a childhood source of inspiration. Monae attended F.L. Schlagle High School before being awarded a scholarship to the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City. Her mother was a janitor and her father a truck driver for Deffenbaugh. Although Janelle moved on from Kansas City to escape poverty, she has roots here – family members, friends, and even an old band, The Weirdos.
          Although the Midwest is often considered ‘flyover country’ – a black hole of culture and art, Monae stands out as a unique and exquisitely strange artist. Her style was cultivated by the thrift shops of Westport and the music and acting scene at the time had a profound affect on her. She even attended the play writing seminars by the Coterie, a well-known children’s theatre in Crown Center. Monae shows Midwesterner that we too have interesting perspectives that the world wants to see. Avila students can take inspiration from her, both as someone from this area and from someone who came from absolutely nothing. There is worth in the perspectives of people from Kansas City, and from people who come from poor neighborhoods.


Monae Headlined her first Kansas City show at Uptown theatre in 2013, a sold out affair with an audience that included family members, friends, and former teachers. 


F. L. Schlagle High School is the school Janelle Monae once attended, and some teachers still have happy memories of her time there. 



Janelle Monae may be a world-famous recording artist and actress, but she came from one of the most impoverished neighborhoods in Kansas City, Kansas. 


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