Talitha Moniz McMillion is a LatIndigenous storyteller and dedicated activist from the Charrúa Nation in the south of Brazil. Before receiving a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Talitha obtained an Associate of Arts with a focus on videography. They have worked with many social justice organizations, including Greenpeace, Charlotte Animal Activists, and an underground migrant assistance coalition for Latin American refugees. In 2019, they were part of a political delegation to Colombia organized by AfroResistance to build working-class solidarity with Afro and Indigenous Colombians. Having majored in Dramatic Art and Creative Writing and minored in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, Talitha is passionate about exploring the intersectionality of these subjects and how, together, they can cultivate liberation and justice. Currently an Assistant Correspondent for PETA, Talitha has written several articles on animal rights for peta2. They are expanding on their personal research and documentation of how the animal agriculture industry harms Indigenous lands, people, animals, and cultures.
Talitha has also served as Assistant Director in various plays, including PlayMakers Repertory Company’s productions of Native Gardens by Karen Zacarías and The Mountaintop by Katori Hall. For the production of Native Gardens, Talitha was awarded the 2022 UNC Alliance Grant and organized a partnership between PlayMakers, UNC American Indian Center, Carolina Latinx Center, and NC Botanical Gardens. With this partnership, they were able to organize several community engagement events, including: a lobby showcasing art by local Latinx and Indigenous artists and filled with native plants provided by the NC Botanical Gardens, a discussion with playwright Karen Zacarías moderated by Talitha, a panel discussion for audience members featuring representatives from each center in the partnership, voter registration during the previews, and both opening and closing day celebrations with all-vegan, Latinx-owned catering. Read their full marketing statement here.
Talitha has written and directed independent short films and won third place in the JASNA 2021 Young Filmmakers contest. Talitha recently participated in the Las Musas Writing Mentorship Program and wrote three children’s books with themes about the intergenerational love and wisdom of Indigenous families under the guidance of their mentor, Aida Salazar. Talitha’s next goals are to write and direct their first feature length film, as well as have their children’s books published. To learn more, visit: talithamonizmcmillion.com