Kiana Butler
Writer and Editor in Los Angeles, California
In my mind, I’m a world-traveling Pam Grier look-alike who teaches kids by day and kicks crack slangin’ corner boy ass by night. In real life, I’m a storyteller and copy editor who watches too much TV and daydreams at a pace that at least 12 shrinks would say is unhealthy. After graduating from the University of Southern California with a B.A. in print journalism, I worked with first-offender youth and at-risk teens in South Central. It’s not as exciting as fighting crime "Coffy" style, but I still like to think I’ve helped make L.A. a better place. In the world I know best, people with odds stacked against them work hard to be somebody. I carry these people with me when I tell stories. I pay homage to their voices – which aren’t often heard – by being just as honest and fearlessly badass as they are.