Zakyra Chanelle Ashby '26
Zakyra Chanelle Ashby is a rising third-year from Syracuse, New York, completing her undergraduate degree at Northwestern University in the English Literature Department. With minors in Performance Studies and Film/Media Studies, Zakyra aims to integrate her interests in music, media, and performance throughout her academic career. As a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellow, Zakyra plans to continue her studies and obtain a PhD in Performance Studies. Zakyra’s current research project focuses on how modern rap music and party music created by Black Americans exist in predominantly white spaces. Zakyra primarily involves herself in the Northwestern community as a playwright, an actor, a radio show host, and an executive member of the university’s Black Mentorship Program. Additionally, Zakyra works as a Research Assistant for scholar Dr. Tracy Vaughn-Manley through Northwestern’s Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP). Zakyra’s favorite pastimes include crocheting, analyzing concept albums, and attending concerts.