Innovation Speaker Series: Libraries are Hip-Hop

We are back with our first Innovation Series speaker of 2024!

Join us for an engaging evening with writer Kiana Fitzgerald, author of Ode to Hip-Hop: 50 Albums That Define 50 Years of Trailblazing Music.

This special event will feature a moderated conversation and an immersive vinyl listening segment as we discuss some of the most influential hip-hop albums and songs from the last 50 years–followed by a book signing.

Dive into insightful discussions as we explore Kiana’s work, passions, and creative process. Plus, get the chance to interact with Kiana during a lively Q&A session.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with a talented writer and experience the magic of music and storytelling.

Kiana Fitzgerald likes to do a lot of things, but most of her time is spent with music. She specializes in analyzing the art form as a journalist, podcaster, and on-air commentator. Additionally, she’s a cultural critic and a champion of Black culture. She moonlights as a personal essayist and DJ. Kiana’s debut book, Ode to Hip-Hop: 50 Albums That Define 50 Years of Trailblazing Music, is out now via Running Press.

Kiana has written viral cover stories for Paper Magazine (Megan Thee Stallion) and New York Magazine’s The Cut (Chika). Her work has been printed in Rolling Stone, Texas Monthly, Stranger’s Guide, Houstonia Magazine, and Bitch Magazine. She has also produced highly circulated pieces for NPR, Vibe Magazine, Billboard, Mic, Vox, NYLON Magazine, The FADER, Brooklyn Magazine, Okayplayer, REVOLT, Saint Heron, Uproxx, and other publications.

On top of her writing endeavors, Kiana is a mental health advocate on TikTok, where she has built a community of 20,000 supporters.

Kiana earned a bachelor’s degree in print journalism with summa cum laude honors from Texas State University in 2011, and a master’s in new media in mass communication in 2013, also from Texas State, with summa cum laude honors.

Aside from the above, Kiana has worked as a social media strategist, editorial producer, office receptionist, and web developer.