There are people who go viral and there are people who go viral with a purpose. Lynae Vanee has always been the latter.
The Atlanta-born poet, educator and cultural voice — a Spelman College graduate with a master’s in African American Studies from Boston University — built her platform through the viral Instagram series Parking Lot Pimpin, where she broke down Black history, politics and culture from a folding chair with a teacup in hand. From there came The People’s Brief on Revolt, over a million followers across platforms and three NAACP Image Award nominations.
Now she has released her most personal work yet. Sundays in Overflow is a debut EP and short film that moves between heartbreak and legislation, between church and open fields, between a woman who almost lost herself and a woman who chose herself instead. It is personal, spiritual and political all at once — and it has already sparked a conversation about what it truly means to show up as your full self in a world that keeps asking you to be smaller.
We sat down with Lynae to talk about the making of the project, the meaning behind the color red, why she chose a short film over a music video, the church, the BET Awards, and what resisting really looks like in everyday life.
Sundays in Overflow is available now. Lynae Vanee brings the project to life on her nationwide tour this summer — combining live performance, poetry and an exclusive screening of the short film, centered on celebrating and restoring Black women.
Tour Dates:
- July 19 — New York City, NY | City Winery
- July 28 — Chicago, IL | Reggies Rock Club
- August 6 — Dallas, TX | Granada Theater
- August 12 — Los Angeles, CA | Lodge Room Highland Park
- August 14 — San Francisco, CA | Swedish American Hall
- August 16 — Portland, OR | Star Theater
Tickets and newly added dates are available on her Spotify page and through Bandsintown.