About Ralinda
A native of Los Angeles, Ralinda Watts is a cultural commentator, speaker, consultant, educator, and writer shaping conversations at the intersection of identity, culture, sports, and community. A contributor for PopSugar and quoted expert in The Los Angeles Times, her thought leadership bridges education, media, and community impact. Through her platform RalindaSpeaks, she curates authentic conversations that advance equity and belonging.
Ralinda earned her M.Ed. from Columbia University, where her research focused on the recruitment and retention of educators from underrepresented backgrounds and the groundbreaking "Black@"social media movement.
Cultural Commentary & Community Engagement
Ralinda Watts is a powerful voice at the intersection of storytelling, social justice, and education. Her cultural commentary and journalism reflect a deep commitment to truth-telling, healing, and transformation—particularly through the lens of Black identity, womanhood, and community care.
Culture Writing
Ralinda’s pop culture writing—featured in PopSugar—explores how Black identity, justice, and representation intersect with sports, film, TV, and media. Her work is timely, accessible, and rooted in critical reflection on visibility and equity in contemporary culture.
Publications
Across platforms like Substack, Medium, Edutopia, and more, Ralinda writes on race, parenting, education, and justice. Her essays blend personal narrative with social critique, offering powerful insights rooted in lived experience and advocacy.
Storytelling
Through RalindaSpeaks, Ralinda leads tailored workshops and talks that combine culture, identity, and strategy. She helps schools, teams, and communities confront inequity and build inclusive, empowered spaces for real change.
Quoted In