Apr 09 2024 44 mins
This months conversation is with the The Incredible Edible Akynos. The Incredible, Edible, Akynos (MF Akynos, for short) is a international burlesque performer and curator. A show-stopping entertainer who has curated, headlined, and performed in productions from New York to Europe, she is also a sex worker activist and has been performing burlesque since 2007. Akynos is the founder of the Black Sex Worker Collective, author, performance artist, and an educator in the fields of sexuality, HIV, and human rights. She has advised other non-profit organizations including Desiree Alliance, where she has spearheaded the arts track for the national conference, and the Best Practices Policy Project, where she works on UN Policy relating to women at the Commission on the Status of Women and during the Universal Periodic Review of the human rights record of the United States at the Human Rights Council. Her writings may also be found at Blackheaux.wordpress.com. Akynos describes herself thus: My official stage names are The Incredible, Edible, Akynos, Or MFA (MothaFuckin’ Akynos) It’s pronounced (Ah-Key-Nos). My tagline: “The Beast Of Burlesque” was given to me by performer friend Voodoo Onyx. I’m a New York raised stripper. Featured in nude magazines, music videos and adult websites since I was 17. I’m a MILF supreme, nappy hair having, 45” of ass, performance artist. You can find me taking it off in burlesque showcases across the globe but primarily on NYC stages. I’ve featured/headlined in showcases both locally and internationally. In 2009 I was the winner of the best soloist and judge’s choice award at the Boston Burlesque Expo. In the same year I was runner up for the Miss International Showgirl competition in Jamaica; (one day I will compete again). I’ve curated shows in my homeland of Jamaica at the infamous Hedonism II resort, NYC, Vegas, and DC. My last projects were Darkie, THICK and Dark. Nude. Storytellers. My new one-woman show “Black Pussy”, the scripted web series “Chronicles Of A Black Heaux”, and the social/whore commentary web-series “Whore Logic”, (currently on YouTube), all of which need your support and attention. A leadership and program developer/organizer I am also a member of several different sex worker ran/lead organizations where I’ve lobbied in New York State against Condoms As Evidence and helped make recommendations on human rights policies at The UN. Some of these wonderful organizations which I hope you will support are: The Desiree Alliance, The Sex Worker Film & Arts Festival, Best Practices Policy Project, SWOP-NYC, We Are Dancers and The NJ Red Umbrella Alliance; because being a ho should be every woman’s [person’s] fundamental right. And sex work is work. Don’t debate me on that. I’ll tear you down. I was a dance major in high school and had a short theater acting stint until I decided to take a long break to raise my children and deal with patriachy. I’ve performed in, competed and won many talent competitions since I was 12. These days I’m a borough famous emerging artist who holds two college degrees, working as a massage therapist and maid because something has to support my artistic habit. All the while I’m wagging my duster at you, screaming for the rights of every human to use their body and energy how they choose. Walk with me. -A https://akynos.com/about/