Lesbifriend Luminary: Talaya Robinson-Dancy
lu·mi·nar·y
/ˈlo͞oməˌnerē/ - n - a person who inspires or influences others, especially one prominent in a particular sphere.
Each month we take a moment to show appreciation for an exemplary member of our community. Affectionately named “Lesbifriend Luminary”, we honor you.
Talaya Robinson-Dancy (They/She) is a historian, educator, and event curator who thrives in spaces that center archival research, public history, and cultural organizing. Currently based in Harlem, New York, with roots in both academia and community work, Talaya is deeply committed to illuminating stories often left out of traditional historical narratives, especially those within Black communities.
A graduate of Bard College with a degree in History and Africana Studies, Talaya brings a rigorously researched and justice-driven lens to every project they take on. From exploring the role of women and food activism during the Civil Rights Movement to consulting on inclusive curriculum design or creating community events, their work is grounded in care, community, collaboration, and bringing suppressed stories to the forefront.
In 2025, Talaya launched Finding Your Ancestors, a workshop series that helps Black and Brown folks reconnect with their family histories through archives and oral traditions and builds their confidence to conduct research themselves. What began as a call for deeper ancestral connection has grown into a dynamic, healing-centered space that’s helped participants uncover family stories they thought were lost. Each session demystifies archival systems shaped by exclusion and empowers attendees to reclaim the narratives of their lineage. Check out some of the course reviews here.
Outside of the classroom and archive, Talaya is a passionate lover of film (especially horror), a fan of Thee Hot Girl, Megan Thee Stallion, and an enthusiastic event planner. These passions feed into the vibrant, interdisciplinary energy they bring to every gathering, whether it’s a genealogy workshop, a Black history event, or a conversation on how Black women run the damn world.
Now, Talaya is offering consulting services and hosting a series of events focused on Black history, genealogy, and organizing. They are actively seeking collaborations with brands, third spaces, and institutions that share their mission of public education, historical justice, and creative engagement.
To connect, collaborate, or bring Finding Your Ancestors to your community, follow along and reach out because history lives in us, and together, we can bring it forward.
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