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{{short description|American media personality and podcaster}}
{{short description|American media personality and podcaster}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix =
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| name = Anna DeShawn
| name = Anna DeShawn
| honorific_suffix =
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| nationality =
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| citizenship =
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| alma_mater =
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| education = {{plainlist|
| education = {{plainlist|
*[[Drake University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
* [[Drake University]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])
*[[Ithaca College]] ([[Master of Science|MS]])
* [[Ithaca College]] ([[Master of Science|MS]])
}}
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| occupation = Podcaster, producer, writer
| occupation = Podcaster, producer, writer
| organisation =
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| employer =
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| known_for = Founder and CEO of The Qube
| known_for = Founder and CEO of The Qube
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'''Anna DeShawn''' is an American media personality, podcaster, and [[LGBT]] advocate. She is best known for founding E3 Radio, a radio station dedicated to playing [[LGBT music|queer music]] and reporting on queer news. She is also the founder and CEO of The Qube, a podcast production company which focuses on [[BIPOC]] and [[QTPOC]] podcasts.
'''Anna DeShawn''' is an American media personality, podcaster, and [[LGBT]] advocate. She is best known for founding E3 Radio, a radio station dedicated to playing [[LGBT music|queer music]] and reporting on queer news. She is also the founder and CEO of The Qube, a podcast production company that focuses on [[BIPOC]] and [[QTPOC]] podcasts.


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==


DeShawn was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]]. Her mother was a business manager and her father was an educator and a dean.<ref name="Kornegay2022">{{Cite magazine |title='The Qube' Creator Anna DeShawn is Creating A Space For LGBTQ Podcasters To Thrive |url=https://www.thereckoningmag.com/the-reckoning-blog/the-qube-creator-anna-deshawn-is-creating-a-space-for-lgbtq-podcasters-to-thrive#gs.b6h6al |last=Kornegay III |first=Johnnie Ray |magazine=The Reckoning |date=November 15, 2023 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Reader2022">{{Cite news |title=Meet Anna DeShawn of E3 Radio and the Qube |url=https://chicagoreader.com/city-life/meet-anna-deshawn-of-e3-radio-and-the-qube/ |work=[[Chicago Reader]] |date=October 12, 2022 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> She describes growing up in a "religious household" that had "no connection to queerness".<ref name="Allen2023">{{Cite web |title=Anna DeShawn is making the queer radio she never heard growing up |url=https://www.wbez.org/the-rundown-chicago-news-podcast/2023/11/30/the-rundown-anna-deshawn-is-making-the-queer-radio-she-never-heard-growing-up |last=Allen |first=Erin |website=[[WBEZ]] |date=November 30, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In high school, DeShawn served as [[student body president]] and was active in [[National Honor Society]], volleyball, basketball, track, softball, band, and choir.<ref name="Coalition2017">{{Cite web |title=Anna DeShawn |url=https://beenhere.org/2017/08/30/anna-deshawn/ |website=BeenHere.org |publisher=[[National Black Justice Coalition]] |date=August 30, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
DeShawn was born in [[Chicago, Illinois]]. Her mother was a business manager, and her father was an educator and a dean.<ref name="Kornegay2022">{{Cite magazine |title='The Qube' Creator Anna DeShawn is Creating A Space For LGBTQ Podcasters To Thrive |url=https://www.thereckoningmag.com/the-reckoning-blog/the-qube-creator-anna-deshawn-is-creating-a-space-for-lgbtq-podcasters-to-thrive#gs.b6h6al |last=Kornegay III |first=Johnnie Ray |magazine=The Reckoning |date=November 15, 2023 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="Reader2022">{{Cite news |title=Meet Anna DeShawn of E3 Radio and the Qube |url=https://chicagoreader.com/city-life/meet-anna-deshawn-of-e3-radio-and-the-qube/ |work=[[Chicago Reader]] |date=October 12, 2022 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> She describes growing up in a "religious household" that had "no connection to queerness".<ref name="Allen2023">{{Cite web |title=Anna DeShawn is making the queer radio she never heard growing up |url=https://www.wbez.org/the-rundown-chicago-news-podcast/2023/11/30/the-rundown-anna-deshawn-is-making-the-queer-radio-she-never-heard-growing-up |last=Allen |first=Erin |website=[[WBEZ]] |date=November 30, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> In high school, DeShawn served as [[student body president]] and was active in [[National Honor Society]], volleyball, basketball, track, softball, band, and choir.<ref name="Coalition2017">{{Cite web |title=Anna DeShawn |url=https://beenhere.org/2017/08/30/anna-deshawn/ |website=BeenHere.org |publisher=[[National Black Justice Coalition]] |date=August 30, 2017 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>


DeShawn went to college for radio and television production, citing [[Robin Roberts (newscaster)|Robin Roberts]] as inspiration: "I wanted to be the next Robin Roberts because she was the only Black woman on ESPN doing sports".<ref name="Kornegay2022" /> In 2005, DeShawn earned her [[Bachelor of Arts]] from [[Drake University]]. In 2007, she earned her [[Master of Science]] in communications from [[Ithaca College]].<ref name="Esteem2013">{{Cite web |title=2013 Chicago Finalist |url=http://www.theesteemawards.com/past_finalists/?categoryID=31 |website=TheEsteemAwards.com |date=2013 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
DeShawn went to college for radio and television production, citing [[Robin Roberts (newscaster)|Robin Roberts]] as inspiration: "I wanted to be the next Robin Roberts because she was the only Black woman on ESPN doing sports".<ref name="Kornegay2022" /> In 2005, DeShawn earned her [[Bachelor of Arts]] from [[Drake University]]. In 2007, she earned her [[Master of Science]] in communications from [[Ithaca College]].<ref name="Esteem2013">{{Cite web |title=2013 Chicago Finalist |url=http://www.theesteemawards.com/past_finalists/?categoryID=31 |website=TheEsteemAwards.com |date=2013 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
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One of DeShawn's first experiences in radio was working as an intern for the [[Tom Joyner Morning Show]] while studying at Drake. DeShawn describes this experience of being able to "talk to thousands of people and make an impact while wearing sweatpants" as a turning point for her where she "fell in love with radio".<ref name="Reader2022" />
One of DeShawn's first experiences in radio was working as an intern for the [[Tom Joyner Morning Show]] while studying at Drake. DeShawn describes this experience of being able to "talk to thousands of people and make an impact while wearing sweatpants" as a turning point for her where she "fell in love with radio".<ref name="Reader2022" />


DeShawn started E3 Radio in 2009 which focuses on queer music and reporting on queer news. She cites [[Ella Baker]] and [[Fannie Lou Hamer]] as inspiration, Black women she did not learn about in grade school: "I can do PSAs about these women and syndicate them to college radio stations, and then we can have a college radio network. That's how [E3 Radio] started".<ref name="Kornegay2022" /> She chose the station name, E3, based on the station's goals: Educate, Enlighten, and Entertain.<ref name="Yassine2023">{{Cite news |title=Meet Chicago Radio Host Anna DeShawn, Creator Of E3 Radio And Queer News Podcast |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/06/29/meet-chicago-radio-host-anna-deshawn-creator-of-e3-radio-and-queer-news-podcast/ |last=Yassine |first=Leen |work=[[Block Club Chicago]] |date=June 29, 2023 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
DeShawn started E3 Radio in 2009, which focuses on queer music and reporting on queer news. She cites [[Ella Baker]] and [[Fannie Lou Hamer]] as inspiration, Black women she did not learn about in grade school: "I can do PSAs about these women and syndicate them to college radio stations, and then we can have a college radio network. That's how [E3 Radio] started".<ref name="Kornegay2022" /> She chose the station name, E3, based on the station's goals: Educate, Enlighten, and Entertain.<ref name="Yassine2023">{{Cite news |title=Meet Chicago Radio Host Anna DeShawn, Creator Of E3 Radio And Queer News Podcast |url=https://blockclubchicago.org/2023/06/29/meet-chicago-radio-host-anna-deshawn-creator-of-e3-radio-and-queer-news-podcast/ |last=Yassine |first=Leen |work=[[Block Club Chicago]] |date=June 29, 2023 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>


In 2014, DeShawn started the "Purple Tie Affair: Concert & Silent Auction" to assist small non-profits making a "big impact".<ref name="HallOfFame2023" />
In 2014, DeShawn started the "Purple Tie Affair: Concert & Silent Auction" to assist small non-profits making a "big impact".<ref name="HallOfFame2023" />


In 2020, DeShawn founded The Qube, a podcast production company which focuses on [[BIPOC]] and [[QTPOC]] podcasts.<ref name="HallOfFame2023">{{Cite web |title=Anna DeShawn |url=https://chicagolgbthalloffame.org/anna-deshawn/ |website=[[Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame]] |date=2023 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> DeShawn hosts the series "Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here" which focuses on the experiences of the Black community in the early days of the [[HIV/AIDS in the United States|HIV/AIDS epidemic]] in the American South.<ref name="Kim2023">{{Cite web |title=Episode 2 Of ‘Black HIV In The South’ Podcast Addresses Early Years Of Epidemic |url=https://newsone.com/4512495/black-hiv-in-the-south-podcast-episode-2/ |last=Kim |first=Victoria |website=[[newsOne.com]] |date=February 14, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
In 2020, DeShawn founded The Qube, a podcast production company which focuses on [[BIPOC]] and [[QTPOC]] podcasts.<ref name="HallOfFame2023">{{Cite web |title=Anna DeShawn |url=https://chicagolgbthalloffame.org/anna-deshawn/ |website=[[Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame]] |date=2023 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> DeShawn hosts the series "Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here" which focuses on the experiences of the Black community in the early days of the [[HIV/AIDS in the United States|HIV/AIDS epidemic]] in the American South.<ref name="Kim2023">{{Cite web |title=Episode 2 Of 'Black HIV In The South' Podcast Addresses Early Years Of Epidemic |url=https://newsone.com/4512495/black-hiv-in-the-south-podcast-episode-2/ |last=Kim |first=Victoria |website=[[newsOne.com]] |date=February 14, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>


DeShawn is a board member of Affinity Community Services, a Chicago-based LGBTQ social justice organization focusing on Black women.<ref name="Coalition2017" />
DeShawn is a board member of Affinity Community Services, a Chicago-based LGBTQ social justice organization focusing on Black women.<ref name="Coalition2017" />


== Awards and honors ==
== Awards and honors ==
⚫
* In 2012, DeShawn was the recipient of a 30 Under 30 Award from the [[Windy City Times]], an award which honors LGBT individuals<ref name="Times2012">{{Cite news |title=Thirteenth annual 30 Under 30 honors LGBT individuals, allies |url=https://windycitytimes.com/2012/06/20/thirteenth-annual-30-under-30-honors-lgbt-individuals-allies/ |work=[[Windy City Times]] |date=June 20, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

* In 2013, DeShawn was a finalist for an Esteem Award for outstanding podcast<ref name="Esteem2013" />
⚫
*In 2012, DeShawn was the recipient of a 30 Under 30 Award from the [[Windy City Times]], an award which honors LGBT individuals<ref name="Times2012">{{Cite news |title=Thirteenth annual 30 Under 30 honors LGBT individuals, allies |url=https://windycitytimes.com/2012/06/20/thirteenth-annual-30-under-30-honors-lgbt-individuals-allies/ |work=[[Windy City Times]] |date=June 20, 2012 |access-date=July 5, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
*In 2013, DeShawn was a finalist for an Esteem Award for outstanding podcast<ref name="Esteem2013" />
* In 2023, DeShawn was inducted into the [[Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame]] for her work celebrating "the overlooked and underrepresented"<ref name="HallOfFame2023" />
* In 2023, DeShawn's podcast ''Queer News'' won the 2023 Ambie award for Best DIY Podcast<ref name="Virginia2024">{{Cite web |title=Writing With Sound with Anna DeShawn |url=https://mediastudies.as.virginia.edu/events/story/writing-sound-anna-deshawn |website=[[University of Virginia]] |date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
*In 2023, DeShawn was inducted into the [[Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame]] for her work celebrating "the overlooked and underrepresented"<ref name="HallOfFame2023" />
*In 2023, DeShawn's podcast ''Queer News'' won the 2023 Ambie award for Best DIY Podcast<ref name="Virginia2024">{{Cite web |title=Writing With Sound with Anna DeShawn |url=https://mediastudies.as.virginia.edu/events/story/writing-sound-anna-deshawn |website=[[University of Virginia]] |date=April 25, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
* In 2023, DeShawn was listed as one of [[GO (American magazine)|GO Magazine's]] "100 Women We Love"<ref name="Go2023">{{Cite magazine |title=Anna DeShawn |url=https://gomag.com/article/anna-deshawn/ |magazine=[[GO (American magazine)|GO]]|date=June 12, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
*In 2023, DeShawn was listed as one of [[GO (American magazine)|GO Magazine's]] "100 Women We Love"<ref name="Go2023">{{Cite magazine |title=Anna DeShawn |url=https://gomag.com/article/anna-deshawn/ |magazine=[[GO (American magazine)|GO]]|date=June 12, 2023 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
* In 2024, DeShawn was awarded the [[Equality Illinois]] Community Pride Award for her contributions to Chicago and LGBTQ+ communities<ref name="Maxwell2024">{{Cite news |title=Equality Illinois Pride Month brunch welcomes Chicago mayor and honors activist DeShawn |url=https://windycitytimes.com/2024/06/03/equality-illinois-pride-month-brunch-welcomes-chicago-mayor-and-honors-activist-deshawn/ |last=Maxwell |first=Carrie |work=[[Windy City Times]] |date=June 3, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
*In 2024, DeShawn was awarded the [[Equality Illinois]] Community Pride Award for her contributions to Chicago and LGBTQ+ communities<ref name="Maxwell2024">{{Cite news |title=Equality Illinois Pride Month brunch welcomes Chicago mayor and honors activist DeShawn |url=https://windycitytimes.com/2024/06/03/equality-illinois-pride-month-brunch-welcomes-chicago-mayor-and-honors-activist-deshawn/ |last=Maxwell |first=Carrie |work=[[Windy City Times]] |date=June 3, 2024 |access-date=July 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 15:51, 7 July 2024

Anna DeShawn
Born (1983-08-30) August 30, 1983 (age 41)
Chicago, Illinois
Education
Occupation(s)Podcaster, producer, writer
Known forFounder and CEO of The Qube
AwardsChicago LGBT Hall of Fame

Anna DeShawn is an American media personality, podcaster, and LGBT advocate. She is best known for founding E3 Radio, a radio station dedicated to playing queer music and reporting on queer news. She is also the founder and CEO of The Qube, a podcast production company that focuses on BIPOC and QTPOC podcasts.

Early life and education

DeShawn was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her mother was a business manager, and her father was an educator and a dean.[1][2] She describes growing up in a "religious household" that had "no connection to queerness".[3] In high school, DeShawn served as student body president and was active in National Honor Society, volleyball, basketball, track, softball, band, and choir.[4]

DeShawn went to college for radio and television production, citing Robin Roberts as inspiration: "I wanted to be the next Robin Roberts because she was the only Black woman on ESPN doing sports".[1] In 2005, DeShawn earned her Bachelor of Arts from Drake University. In 2007, she earned her Master of Science in communications from Ithaca College.[5]

Career and activism

One of DeShawn's first experiences in radio was working as an intern for the Tom Joyner Morning Show while studying at Drake. DeShawn describes this experience of being able to "talk to thousands of people and make an impact while wearing sweatpants" as a turning point for her where she "fell in love with radio".[2]

DeShawn started E3 Radio in 2009, which focuses on queer music and reporting on queer news. She cites Ella Baker and Fannie Lou Hamer as inspiration, Black women she did not learn about in grade school: "I can do PSAs about these women and syndicate them to college radio stations, and then we can have a college radio network. That's how [E3 Radio] started".[1] She chose the station name, E3, based on the station's goals: Educate, Enlighten, and Entertain.[6]

In 2014, DeShawn started the "Purple Tie Affair: Concert & Silent Auction" to assist small non-profits making a "big impact".[7]

In 2020, DeShawn founded The Qube, a podcast production company which focuses on BIPOC and QTPOC podcasts.[7] DeShawn hosts the series "Black HIV in the South: How Did We Get Here" which focuses on the experiences of the Black community in the early days of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the American South.[8]

DeShawn is a board member of Affinity Community Services, a Chicago-based LGBTQ social justice organization focusing on Black women.[4]

Awards and honors

  • In 2012, DeShawn was the recipient of a 30 Under 30 Award from the Windy City Times, an award which honors LGBT individuals[9]
  • In 2013, DeShawn was a finalist for an Esteem Award for outstanding podcast[5]
  • In 2023, DeShawn was inducted into the Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame for her work celebrating "the overlooked and underrepresented"[7]
  • In 2023, DeShawn's podcast Queer News won the 2023 Ambie award for Best DIY Podcast[10]
  • In 2023, DeShawn was listed as one of GO Magazine's "100 Women We Love"[11]
  • In 2024, DeShawn was awarded the Equality Illinois Community Pride Award for her contributions to Chicago and LGBTQ+ communities[12]

References

  1. ^ a b c Kornegay III, Johnnie Ray (November 15, 2023). "'The Qube' Creator Anna DeShawn is Creating A Space For LGBTQ Podcasters To Thrive". The Reckoning. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Meet Anna DeShawn of E3 Radio and the Qube". Chicago Reader. October 12, 2022. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  3. ^ Allen, Erin (November 30, 2023). "Anna DeShawn is making the queer radio she never heard growing up". WBEZ. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Anna DeShawn". BeenHere.org. National Black Justice Coalition. August 30, 2017. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "2013 Chicago Finalist". TheEsteemAwards.com. 2013. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  6. ^ Yassine, Leen (June 29, 2023). "Meet Chicago Radio Host Anna DeShawn, Creator Of E3 Radio And Queer News Podcast". Block Club Chicago. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c "Anna DeShawn". Chicago LGBT Hall of Fame. 2023. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Kim, Victoria (February 14, 2023). "Episode 2 Of 'Black HIV In The South' Podcast Addresses Early Years Of Epidemic". newsOne.com. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  9. ^ "Thirteenth annual 30 Under 30 honors LGBT individuals, allies". Windy City Times. June 20, 2012. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  10. ^ "Writing With Sound with Anna DeShawn". University of Virginia. April 25, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  11. ^ "Anna DeShawn". GO. June 12, 2023. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  12. ^ Maxwell, Carrie (June 3, 2024). "Equality Illinois Pride Month brunch welcomes Chicago mayor and honors activist DeShawn". Windy City Times. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
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