According to Education Week, around 340 schools across 21 states still bear the names of Confederate figures. In the wake of the 2020 protests, some schools in states like Alabama and Mississippi took steps to rename these institutions, opting for civil rights leaders or other positive figures. However, more recently, a few schools in Virginia have reversed this trend, reverting to their original Confederate names. One individual who understands how behind the times some high school institutions can be is multi-talented writer, comedian, and producer Akilah Hughes. 

Hughes’ latest project, the Rebel Spirit podcast, delves into her experiences growing up in Boone County, Kentucky, and the challenges of confronting the lingering legacy of Confederate symbolism in American schools. Through a personal lens, Akilah reflects on her high school’s “Rebel” mascot and its ties to the Confederacy, all while exploring broader cultural dynamics of race, history, and identity in the South. With a deep dive into these issues, Rebel Spirit is more than a podcast; it’s a call to action for change, delivered with Akilah’s unique blend of humor and activism. 

Her years in Boone County equipped her with not only the academic tools to pursue a career in writing and comedy but also the critical perspective necessary to address social injustices, particularly those surrounding race and history. These experiences deeply influenced her career path, setting her on a course to become a prominent voice in the media.

“I built a lot of skills there, but I also think it was such a specific experience and a specific time,” Hughes reflected on her time at Boone County High School, where she graduated in 2005 to BET.com. “We're talking right after 9/11, George W. Bush was president, and in a place that wasn't especially diverse. I think I saw pretty clearly the cracks in the country.” 

Hughes’ entry into content creation was almost serendipitous, as she recalls her early days on YouTube in the mid-2000s. Using the platform initially for school, she quickly realized its potential for comedy and expression. 

“When it first started, technology was so novel,” she said about the platform’s earlier days. “ reminiscing about the platform's early days. “I remember using YouTube to enhance presentations in college… then I started finding people making stuff consistently.” 

From her viral “Meet Your First Black Girlfriend” video to guest appearances on television series, including Bob’s Burgers and The Rookie, Hughes has built a following that has over 100,000 followers on Instagram alone.

Fast-forward to today, Akilah’s Rebel Spirit podcast is rooted in her personal mission to confront the problematic history of Confederate symbols in American institutions. The podcast examines the names, mascots, and identities tied to the Confederacy that persist in American schools. As a Black woman who attended a school that celebrated Confederate heritage, Akilah’s emotions surrounding this topic are deeply personal. 

Her research for the podcast even revealed how Boone County’s mascot was justified with a false narrative, claiming it was based on the movie Rebel Without a Cause. Akilah sees this as a common tactic used by schools across the country, attempting to downplay the true origins of their Rebel identities.

“When I was young, I was angry,” explained Hughes. Now, as an adult, I'm of the mind that this doesn’t belong here, specifically in Kentucky, which wasn’t a Confederate state.” 

Beyond addressing these heavy issues, Rebel Spirit also explores lighter, more humorous topics. For instance, Akilah’s tongue-in-cheek suggestion of changing the school’s mascot to “The Biscuits” is both a creative and clever take on how to honor Southern heritage without the baggage of Confederate symbolism. While “The Biscuits” might be “a little too irreverent for a high school,” as Akilah acknowledges, it’s part of a larger conversation about rethinking how institutions represent themselves. She even joked about being a fan of Popeye’s biscuits.

“I love how dry they are,” explained Hughes. “I don’t care. I still eat five of ‘em. So if this is the thing that cancels me, I feel like that’s honestly pretty good considering the world we live in today.”

Despite the serious subject matter, Rebel Spirit is filled with moments of joy and triumph. In one episode, Akilah interviews mascot designers, including the creator of the Philadelphia Flyers’ infamous mascot, Gritty. She dives into what makes a great mascot and the design process behind these symbols, offering listeners a unique perspective on something many people don’t think deeply about. With 14 episodes, Rebel Spirit is designed to evolve alongside the cultural shifts it aims to inspire. 

“We have four extra [episodes] because we think that this podcast will put enough pressure on the area that we might get some news before the 14 are up,” Akilah reveals, hinting at the potential real-world impact of the podcast. 

It’s clear that Rebel Spirit is more than just a story about one high school in Kentucky—it’s about a nationwide movement to reevaluate and dismantle harmful legacies. Hughes is not just a comedian or a content creator. She’s an activist who uses her platform to challenge societal norms, question history, and push for meaningful change. As she continues to explore new creative endeavors, including screenwriting and potentially a TV adaptation of Rebel Spirit, Akilah remains committed to speaking truth to power. Her work is a reminder that sometimes, humor is the most powerful tool in the fight for justice.

Listen to the Rebel Spirit podcast here, with new episodes arriving on Tuesdays.