Anuli Akanegbu (pronounced: Ah-noo-lee A-ka-nay-boo) is a cultural anthropologist, researcher, and writer whose work focuses on labor and creative production, with research interests spanning cultural anthropology, identity studies, history, and creative methodologies. As a researcher for Data & Society’s Labor Futures program, she leads projects that explore the intersections of labor, race, and technology.

With a unique blend of academic training and marketing experience, Anuli approaches projects as a subject matter expert and strategic thinker, helping to bridge the gap between scholarly insights and practical applications. Her doctoral dissertation research project, The South Got Something to Share: A Behind-the-Screens Look at the Work/Lives of Black Creative Contract Workers in Atlanta, was supported in part by the Wenner-Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research and forms the basis of her forthcoming book on the genealogy of creative contract work, its interaction with identity, and the role of imagination in Atlanta’s city branding efforts.

Anuli is dedicated to advancing public scholarship and ensuring that anthropological knowledge is accessible and relevant to diverse audiences. She has shaped discussions on social media, the arts, and cultural heritage preservation through her multimedia education platform, BLK IRL® and its podcast. Anuli earned her PhD in cultural anthropology from New York University in May 2024 following a successful career as a senior strategist and brand planner at the global public relations and marketing firm Edelman. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and culture from Howard University.