Her Royal Highness Princess Ariana Austin Makonnen has worn many crowns, royal, cultural, and creative. Now, she’s adding podcast host to the list with “Building Boldly,” a brand-new show and resource hub spotlighting the founders, artists, and changemakers shaping the future of culture.
Princess Ariana has dedicated her life’s work to amplifying the work of the diaspora. An inviting presence, you might forget you’re talking to actual royalty. Makonnen—who became a princess after her 2017 wedding to Prince Joel of Ethiopia, the great-grandson of Emperor Haile Selassie—has always been more focused on spotlighting creative stories than on the glitz of titles. But her journey is nothing short of a fairytale. She and Prince Joel famously met on a night out in the District, where their chance encounter sparked a connection that’s lasted over a decade.
Born in Washington, D.C., to a family of scholars and philanthropists, Makonnen grew up immersed in education and service. Her father, Bobby William Austin, was Georgetown University’s first African-American faculty member, while her mother, Joy Ford, carried forward a legacy of humanitarian work from her Guyanese roots. After magna cum laude honors at Fisk, a master’s at Harvard, and even time studying at Oxford, Makonnen’s path led her to Paris. It was there, at Nuit Blanche, a citywide arts festival, that she discovered her love for using public art as a tool for connection. She later brought that idea home to D.C., founding the city’s largest arts celebration, Art All Night, which just marked its 12th year, Makonnen told Tatler.
Since then, Makonnen’s career has been a masterclass in blending vision with impact. She’s raised over $1 million for her own creative ventures, co-founded Wax & Gold, a media company focused on diaspora storytelling, and directed philanthropic investments toward underrepresented voices nationwide. With Building Boldly, she’s packaging all that experience into a platform for creatives hungry to turn bold ideas into funded realities.
“This is for cultural storytellers, founders, and creative entrepreneurs, spotlighting how bold creative lives really get made and funded,” Makonnen said. The bi-weekly podcast pairs inspiring conversations with practical tools. Each episode comes with a “Guest Resource Drop,” featuring grants, fellowships, or guides listeners can actually use, plus access to a searchable hub of opportunities.
The debut episode features Emmy-nominated producer Deniese Davis, best known for HBO’s Insecure and the box office hit One of Them Days, in a candid conversation about how philanthropy powered her creative journey. More conversations are already on the way, across film, fashion, books, and beyond.
For Makonnen, it’s not just about interviews; it’s about shifting the culture.
“We want to provide inspiration. We want to provide tangible resources and tools. We want to open up the world of philanthropy to creators who sometimes people don’t really think of,” she explained.
In true Makonnen fashion, the project blends cosmopolitan flair with an open-hearted belief that big ideas deserve space to thrive. She sums it up simply:
“I’ve loved having these conversations. I’m really a culture person. I’m a fan. I love cinema, I love the arts, I love the visual arts, I love fashion. So I’m learning as much as I hope the listeners do too.”
Building Boldly premiered September 18th and is currently available on all streaming platforms. New episodes drop every two weeks on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and buildingboldlypodcast.com. You can also follow along on Instagram at @buildingboldlypodcast.
Cover photo: D.C. Native, Princess Ariana Austin Makonnen of Ethiopia, Launches New Podcast for Creatives Who Dream Big/Photo credit: Building Boldly Podcast