InspiHERed By spotlights phenomenal women in the Black queer community–everyone from artists to activists. Each week ELIXHER features someone whose personal journey and individual craft inspire us to dream bigger, laugh harder, and love deeper. This week, we catch up with Glennisha Morgan, a 25-year-old freelance journalist and blogger. The Detroit native and self-professed hip hop head is also the creator of TheFembassy.com, a website that pays homage to often overlooked female emcees. Last summer, Glennisha appeared on BET’s first documentary, “My Mic Sounds Nice: A Truth About Women and Hip Hop.” She also contributes to Clutch Magazine, Autostraddle.com, and Ikons Magazine.
ELIXHER: Tell us about your love for hip hop and your passion for writing. When and how did they begin?
GLENNISHA: I’ve been a hip hop head ever since I heard Warren G’s Regulate. The West Coast caught my attention and I’ve been in love ever since. It got to the point that I actually took the time out to teach myself the history and I’m still learning everyday.
Not to sound cliché, but I’ve been writing ever since I learned how to write. In the fourth grade I started out writing poems, plays, and short stories. In the fifth grade I joined my school’s first newspaper staff and I’ve had an interest in journalism ever since. From that year on I was always a part of my school’s newspaper staff. I had an internship with a local music magazine during my sophomore year of college and continued pursuing a freelance writing career.
ELIXHER: When and why did you create The Fembassy?
GLENNISHA: I was an avid fan of VH1’s Miss Rap Supreme. At the time I was so excited just to see female emcees get some type of attention. After the show went off air I thought to myself, “Okay. Now what? Someone needs to continue to shed light on female emcees.” I didn’t see anyone else doing something so that’s when I decided to create The Fembassy. I actually stole the title from the name of the hotel that the women stayed in on Miss Rap Supreme. July 2008 is when I made it official via Blogspot.
ELIXHER: How would you describe yourself in three words?
GLENNISHA: I’d have to go with passionate, ambitious, and creative.
ELIXHER: What’s the biggest misconception people have of you?
GLENNISHA: People tend to think that I have more clout than I actually do. I don’t know, maybe I just don’t realize it. Or I’m so humble and just grateful to be able to do some of the things that I’m able to. Some of my friends think that I’m a celebrity but I beg to differ.
