Episode 8: Keke Builds an Empire
This episode explores the work of Keke Palmer, a multihyphenate star who captivated audiences in her performance as the titular character of Akeelah and the Bee, unpacking how Black girl characters are oftenpositioned as saviors for their families and communities.
Keywords: Paris Olympics 2024, Akeelah and The Bee, Keke Palmer, Black famous, adultification
Recommended Reading
Palmer, Keke. Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Own Narrative. New York: Flatiron Books, 2024.
Discussion Questions
The Olympic Games is one of many arenas where Black girls and women are expected to constantly prove their worth, even when they are already excelling. Can you recall a time when you felt you had to prove your own value or capabilities in a similar way?
In Akeelah and the Bee, Akeelah downplays her own success to help another competitor and takes on the role of saving her school. How does the pressure to represent their entire community impacted Black girls who carry this burden?
Throughout the podcast, many of the stories about Black girls involve experiences of trauma, raising the question of whether their narratives can exist without suffering. Can you think of any shows that portray Black girls without centering trauma or pain? If not, how can we encourage or create more media that celebrates Black girl’s joy and complexity?
Because Akeelah’s mother must work to support four children, she is often absent and appears harsh toward Akeelah, especially when she scolds her for staying out late to practice for the spelling bee, fearing she might end up “in the streets,” like her brother. How does the film portray this harshness: as an obstacle to Akeelah’s growth, a form of protection rooted in her mother’s circumstances, or both?
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