The intersection of art, activism, and authentic storytelling took center stage in our recent conversation with Tiana Farrell, a remarkable social changemaker with a family legacy that continues to inspire generations. As the great-great-granddaughter of legendary civil rights pioneer Ida B. Wells, Tiana carries forward her ancestor’s legacy of courage, truth-telling, and advocacy, while forging her own path as a creator, disability advocate, and social justice champion.
Throughout our discussion, Tiana shared how her grandmother Alfreda would tell her stories about Ida B. Wells, saying she saw “that greatness” in young Tiana. This family connection to history isn’t just biographical information for Tiana—it’s a living, breathing motivation that shaped her life’s direction. When she attended Rust College, Ida’s alma mater, she described feeling her ancestor’s presence on campus, a spiritual connection that affirmed her purpose. This profound connection to her family’s legacy became the foundation for Tiana’s approach to combining art with advocacy.
One of the most powerful stories Tiana shared was about her play “The Lady’s Car,” which dramatizes a lesser-known incident from Ida B. Wells’ life. Seventy years before Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, Wells refused to give up her seat on a train and successfully sued the Chesapeake Ohio Railroad in court—a story deliberately buried in history. Tiana’s decision to resurrect this history through creative storytelling embodies her philosophy of using entertainment to educate and empower. When a 90-year-old resident of Ida’s hometown saw the play and confessed she’d never known this story despite living there her entire life, it confirmed for Tiana that her work was fulfilling its purpose.
As a person with a limb difference, Tiana also spoke eloquently about disability advocacy. She described how she decided to become the representation she never saw as a child, noting that she didn’t see anyone who looked like her until she was 33 years old. Her approach to disability advocacy mirrors her approach to other social justice work—making it accessible, authentic, and educational. Whether creating films featuring characters with limb differences or engaging curious children who notice her prosthetic hand in public spaces, Tiana transforms potential awkwardness into opportunities for connection and learning.
When asked what advice she would give to aspiring creators looking to produce socially impactful content, Tiana emphasized two key principles: authenticity and knowing your audience. She explained that audiences can detect inauthenticity from a mile away, so creators should focus on causes they genuinely care about and have knowledge of. She also stressed the importance of strategic choices in presentation, sharing how she deliberately made “The Lady’s Car” family-friendly by avoiding historical language that would limit its audience, ensuring children could engage with this important history.
Perhaps most inspiring was Tiana’s reflection on courage. “We got to have the courage to be disliked,” she stated, noting that doing the right thing isn’t always popular. This philosophy echoes her great-great-grandmother’s fearlessness in the face of danger and opposition. As Tiana put it, “We’re not put on this earth to be liked. We all have an assignment,” and when fear prevents us from completing that assignment, important work remains undone. Her mother’s wisdom reinforces this approach: “The only thing you have to fear is if you’re doing something wrong.”
You can watch our exclusive interview right here: https://youtu.be/YCv-OVwJGS0
