In the intersection of scholar and muse lies the heart of my work. Here, I am both the thinker and the dreamer, the one who studies and the one who creates. My path is carved by intellectual rigor and artistic exploration—always seeking new ways to tell stories of those who fight for their right to be free.
Michaela A. Machicote, PhD, is an independent scholar, poet, and visual artist whose work spans the intersections of Black feminist thought, state violence, and community resilience. As a scholar of Black Studies and Latin American Studies, her research delves into the lives of those historically silenced, focusing on how Black women resist harm and create spaces of liberation. Her forthcoming book, Jezebel by Another Name: Black Women, Carceral Geographies, and the Practice of Urban Marronage in Chicago, explores the ways Black women navigate and survive systemic violence, reclaiming space in urban settings.
As a visual artist and poet, Michaela uses her creativity to tell stories of resistance, resilience, and survival. Her work is rooted in the legacy of Black women and their fight for freedom, blending bold visuals with evocative language. In her art, she strives to capture the spirit of marronage—both in theory and practice—celebrating the ways in which Black people continue to transform spaces of violence into sites of empowerment and joy.
Michaela’s work has been featured in the NACLA Report, Latinx Talk, Revista Em Pauta, and other scholarly publications, and she continues to engage with communities across the diaspora through workshops, exhibitions, and public talks. With over 10 years of experience in academia, research, and community collaboration, she remains committed to producing work that honors the voices of marginalized communities while creating pathways toward liberation and creative expression.
Through her scholarly insights and creative endeavors, Michaela embodies the dual role of scholar and muse, guiding others through the intellectual and artistic landscapes of resistance, survival, and joy.
Marronage Musings 