Johnnie Jae is an Otoe-Missouria and Choctaw multimedia journalist, artist, speaker, advocate, and most importantly, a community builder. Their belief in the power of representation is a driving force. It propels them to work diligently, creating pathways for more authentic Native representation while amplifying Indigenous voices and addressing critical issues facing Native communities.
Jae is the founder of A Tribe Called Geek, an award-winning media platform for Indigenous Geek Culture and STEM. As a lifelong Indigenerd, Jae wanted to create a platform to highlight and celebrate Indigenous peoples’ contributions and achievements in Pop Culture and STEM. It was also their hope A Tribe Called Geek would also foster an inclusive community for Indigenerds to connect, collaborate and support one another, creating a sense of belonging.
In addition to their work with A Tribe Called Geek, Jae has made significant contributions as a writer, editor, podcaster, commentator, and producer for various media outlets. They have written articles, provided commentary, and produced content for Truthout, Native Max Magazine, Real News Network, Prism, Complex, Last Real Indians, CBC, and more.
Johnnie Jae’s advocacy work extends far beyond journalism. They are a tireless advocate for Indigenous and Human Rights, with a personal focus on disability justice. Openly discussing their own struggles with Lupus and mental health, they aim to break the silence and stigma that prevent others from receiving the care and help they need. They have also co-founded Not Your Mascots and LiveIndigenousOK to address the misappropriation of Indigenous imagery and histories through Native mascots and stereotypes. Additionally, they are a co-founding member of the Fan Organizer Coalition, a community of fan organizers passionate about the power of fan activism for social change.
Through their advocacy work, which includes hosting workshops, speaking at various events, and the creation of supportive resources tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous people, Jae aspires to see revolutionary healing and change in the world through the power of radical imagination and education.
Johnnie Jae’s impact as a journalist, artist, advocate, and community builder is profound and resonates with a global community. Their voice and work is not just influential but transformative, motivating others to use their voice, take action and make a difference in their own communities.
