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Ayọ Tometi

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Ayọ Tometi
Born (1984-08-15) August 15, 1984 (age 40)[1]
EducationUniversity of Arizona (BA)
Arizona State University (MA)
Occupation(s)Activist, writer
Known forBlack Lives Matter, Black Alliance for Just Immigration
Websitewww.opaltometi.org

Ayọ Tometi (born August 15, 1984), formerly known as Opal Tometi, is an American human rights activist, writer, strategist, and community organizer.[2] She is a co-founder of Black Lives Matter (BLM).[3] She is the former executive director of the United States' first national immigrant rights organization for people of African descent, the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), working there in various roles for over nine years.[4]

She started as an active community organizer in her hometown advocating for human rights issues. She has campaigned for advancing human rights, migrant rights, and racial justice worldwide. She also worked as a case manager for survivors of domestic violence.

Early life and education

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Ayọ Tometi is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants, who hail from the city of Lagos. Her parents are of Yoruba ethnicity and they speak the Yoruba and Esan languages.[5] Her great-great-great-grandfather was born in the country of Togo, and his son, Tometi's great-grandfather was from Cameroon. Tometi's grandfather was born in Cameroon before eventually emigrating to Nigeria. The oldest of three children, Ayọ Tometi has two younger brothers and grew up mostly in the suburbs of Phoenix, Arizona with other children of immigrants. In addition to Yoruba and Esan, Tometi grew up speaking Pidgin English.[5]

Her parents moved from Nigeria to the United States as undocumented immigrants in 1983, the year before Tometi's birth.[6] During her middle school years, they faced deportation and her mother was unable to return to Nigeria for the burial of her father (Tometi's maternal grandfather) because of the ongoing case.[6] Her parents were eventually successful in defeating their deportation case and able to remain in the United States.[7] Other family and friends of Tometi, including her uncle, also battled deportation during her youth.[8] Tometi's parents later opened a church at which her father is a pastor, Phoenix Impact Center in Phoenix, Arizona, that also serves to help new immigrants adjust to life in the United States.[9][5] Tometi visited Nigeria for the first time when she was 17 years old and credits these experiences with shaping her approach to pro-immigration advocacy work.[6][8]

She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in public/applied history from the University of Arizona in 2005 and a master's degree in communication studies, with a specialization in advocacy and rhetoric, from Arizona State University in 2010.[10]

On May 7, 2016, she received an honorary doctor of science degree from Clarkson University.[11] Tometi is a former case manager for survivors of domestic violence and still provides community education on the issue.

Career

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Early activism

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After her parents won their deportation case, Tometi began demonstrating with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). She worked as a legal observer at the US-Mexico border.[7] While studying at the University of Arizona, Tometi advocated against Arizona SB 1070, one of the strictest anti-immigration bills passed in the history of the United States, with the Alto Arizona campaign.[12][6] At the Black-Brown Coalition of Arizona, she also previously held a position as the lead architect.[12] In 2010, Tometi also worked as a spokesperson for the Puente Movement, an immigrants rights group in Arizona.[13]

Black Lives Matter

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Tometi, with community organizers, Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza, founded Black Lives Matter (BLM) in 2013.[7] Originally, Garza wrote a Facebook post in response to George Zimmerman's acquittal in the murder of Trayvon Martin. In a response to the post, Cullors used #blacklivesmatter for the first time. Then, Tometi contacted Cullors and Garza, interested in buying a website domain by the same name.[14] The three agreed, and Tometi purchased Blacklivesmatter.com, established Facebook, Tumblr, and Twitter pages for the movement.[15][16] Tometi contacted numerous other activists in the Black community, alerting them of the new plans and inviting them to join by using the hashtag.[16] Tometi is also credited with selecting black and yellow as the organization's colors, in addition to forming BLM's social media platforms and strategy.[12][6]

After witnessing the unrest in Ferguson, Missouri following Michael Brown's killing, Tometi mobilized 500 community activists for a demonstration she called the "Black Lives Matter Freedom Ride." This event, fueled by social media, ignited a desire to turn Black Lives Matter into a global movement, addressing systemic racism and police brutality. The demonstration consolidated voices and actions, amplifying the movement's message and sparking conversations worldwide.[16]

After Eric Garner was killed, Tometi organized with a campaign called "Safety Beyond Policing in New York." She is a proponent of defunding the police.[17]

Black Alliance for Just Immigration

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From 2011 to 2020, Tometi worked as co- and communications director, prior to becoming the executive director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), the first national immigrant rights organization for people of African descent.[10][12] She was working as the executive director of BAJI when she first saw Garza's Facebook post in 2013. In this role, Tometi was responsible for directing staff within the BAJI organizing committees throughout Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Los Angeles, Oakland, New York, as well as committees within the South on various initiatives concerning racial justice and immigrant rights in the United States.[12] Her other contributions included leading organizing efforts for a rally for immigrant justice and the first Congressional briefing on black immigrants in Washington, D.C.[12] After the 2010 Haiti earthquake, many Haitians were displaced and Tometi led BAJI in securing family reunification visas for those affected by the disaster.[12] She also helped start BAJI's partnership with Race Forward's Drop the I-Word campaign.[12]

Additional work

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Tometi on The Laura Flanders Show (then on Free Speech TV and teleSUR) in 2015

Diaspora Rising

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In 2020, Tometi created Diaspora Rising, a center focused on cultivating a global Black community, operating mostly on social media.[18]

Other projects

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Tometi also collaborates with the Black Immigration Network and the Pan African Network in Defense of Migrant Rights.[12] She has also been a part of the Global Forum on Migration and Commission on the Status of Women.[12] She serves on the board of directors for the International Living Future Institute and the Atlantic Fellows for Racial Equity.[12][18]

Tometi has spoken at Susquehanna University, the Facing Race Conference of 2012, the Aspen Institute's Ideas Summit, and the Grinnell College Technology and Human Rights Symposium.[19][20][21][22] She has presented at the United Nations and has participated with the United Nations Global Forum on Migration and the Commission on the Status of Women.[19] While at The University of Arizona, Tometi volunteered with the American Civil Liberties Union. She is additionally involved with Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity[23] and is a member of Theta Nu Xi sorority. Tometi was invited by the Venezuelan government to be an electoral observer for the parliamentary elections on December 6, 2015. Tometi stated she was "in a place where there is intelligent political discourse" and that the country appears to "have a truly thriving and rigorous democratic system."[24][25]

Tometi has appeared in several media outlets, including Glamour,[26] Essence,[27] CNN,[28] MSNBC,[29] and BET.[30] Her written works have been published by several media outlets including The Huffington Post[31] and Time.[32] Tometi continues to collaborate with communities in Los Angeles, Phoenix, New York City, Oakland, Washington D.C. and communities throughout the Southern states.

Personal life

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As of December 2021, Tometi lives in Brooklyn, New York City.[12]

Recognition and awards

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References

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  1. ^ Williams, Lauren N. (August 29, 2016). "An Influencer from the African Diaspora Who Started an American Movement". Time. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  2. ^ AYỌ - Opal Tometi BLM Co-Founder Special Announcement, October 5, 2021, archived from the original on November 5, 2021, retrieved November 5, 2021
  3. ^ Dalton, Deron (May 4, 2015). "The Three Women Behind the Black Lives Matter Movement". Madame Noire. Archived from the original on December 10, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  4. ^ Bhagwat, V. M.; Ramachandran, B. V. (September 15, 1975). "Malathion A and B esterases of mouse liver-I". Biochemical Pharmacology. 24 (18): 1713–1717. doi:10.1016/0006-2952(75)90011-8. ISSN 0006-2952. PMID 14. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c "How Nigeria helped inspire Black Lives Matter". BBC News. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Opal Tometi, co-founder of Black Lives Matter: 'I do this because we deserve to live'". the Guardian. September 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Alex, Ella; er (December 22, 2020). "Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi: "Black people can't catch a break, even in a global pandemic"". Harper's BAZAAR. Archived from the original on December 3, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  8. ^ a b "The New Civil Rights Leaders". Essence. October 27, 2020. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  9. ^ Race, Religion, and Black Lives Matter: Essays on a Moment and a Movement. Vanderbilt University Press. August 15, 2021. ISBN 9780826502094. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  10. ^ a b Tometi, Ayọ (November 30, 2021). "Ayọ Tometi". LinkedIn. Retrieved November 30, 2021.
  11. ^ "Opal Tometi Awarded Clarkson University Honorary Degree | Clarkson University". www.clarkson.edu. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Tometi, Opal. "Opal Tometi | Speaker | TED". www.ted.com. Archived from the original on May 31, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
  13. ^ Administrator. "SB 1070 Lite? | Frontera NorteSur | New Mexico State University". Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  14. ^ "Civil Rights Activist and BLM Co-Founder Opal Tometi talks activism with W&J Students". Washington & Jefferson College. October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  15. ^ a b Apr 27, Tessa Petak. "How Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Opal Tometi Keeps Her Stamina Up". InStyle. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ^ a b c d e "Black Lives Matter Co-Founder Opal Tometi on the Fight for Racial Justice in the US". Georgetown Institute of Women Peace and Security. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
  17. ^ "The Matter of Black Lives". The New Yorker. March 7, 2016. Archived from the original on June 13, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  18. ^ a b c d "CO-FOUNDER OF BLACK LIVES MATTER, OPAL TOMETI, JOINS INTERNATIONAL LIVING FUTURE INSTITUTE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | Trim Tab". January 26, 2021. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  19. ^ a b "#BlackLivesMatter Founder to Speak at Susquehanna University". Susquehanna University. September 4, 2015. Archived from the original on September 21, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  20. ^ Dinan, Stephen (September 30, 2015). "Black Lives Matter is Message of 'Love' for All: Founder". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  21. ^ "Opal Tometi". Facing Race. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  22. ^ "Technology and Human Rights Symposium | Grinnell College". www.grinnell.edu. March 7–10, 2017. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 11, 2017.
  23. ^ Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity Archived November 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine (BOLD) website.
  24. ^ "The Latest: Mood dour among Venezuelan ruling party backers". The Associated Press. December 6, 2015. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024. A co-founder of the Black Lives Matter campaign is in Caracas for Election Day at the invitation of the socialist government. Opal Tometi was swarmed by government critics on Twitter after posting about the relief she felt being "in a place where there is intelligent political discourse." Some warned her that she was being used, while others drew derisive comparisons to other high-profile Americans who have supported the socialist administration, including Sean Penn and Oliver Stone. Black Lives Matter grew out of the outrage that followed several high-profile police killings of African-Americans in the United States last year. In a statement released by Venezuela's Washington-based public relations consultant, Tometi said that Venezuela appears to "have a truly thriving and rigorous democratic system."
  25. ^ Mawad, Tony Frangie (May 8, 2022). "Nicolás Maduro Tries a New PR Campaign: Going Woke". Politico. Archived from the original on April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 7, 2024. In 2015, a year after violently repressing protests against his rule, Maduro was personally honored at the People of African Descent Leadership Summit in New York City, where he received an award for "his labor in favor of the afro-descendants of the United States." He took a picture with Ayọ Tometi, one of the founders of the Black Lives Matter organization. Three months later, Tometi was in Caracas working as an electoral observer for Venezuela's parliamentary elections. "Currently in Venezuela," she tweeted. "Such a relief to be in a place where there is intelligent political discourse." When the opposition to Maduro won a supermajority, she released a statement: "In a significant blow to the progressive and most impoverished sectors of Venezuela and to global allies … the counter-revolutionaries won control of the National Assembly." (Tometi did not respond to a request for comment.)
  26. ^ Meyerson, Collier. "Meet the Women Founders of Black Lives Matter". Glamour. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  27. ^ "Black Lives Matter Founders Chosen As Glamour's "Women Of The Year" Essence". Essence. Archived from the original on November 26, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  28. ^ "The Disruptors". Archived from the original on June 7, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  29. ^ "When #BlackLivesMatter we won't have to say 'black lives matter'". MSNBC.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  30. ^ "Community Change Agent". BET.com. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
  31. ^ "Opal Tometi". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on November 9, 2015. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  32. ^ "Opal Tometi". Time. Archived from the original on December 4, 2018. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  33. ^ a b Dandes, Rick (September 21, 2015). "How 3 friends tapped power of social media to start a movement". The Daily Item. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  34. ^ "Black Lives Matter Founders: 100 Women of the Year". Time. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  35. ^ "TIMEPieces: Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometi, 2013". Time. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  36. ^ "The Root 100 2015 - The Root". October 12, 2015. Archived from the original on October 12, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  37. ^ "The POLITICO 50". POLITICO Magazine. Archived from the original on January 21, 2019. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  38. ^ "The Black Lives Matter Founders Are Among the World's Greatest Leaders". Fortune. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  39. ^ "Letelier-Moffitt Human Rights Awards". Institute for Policy Studies. Archived from the original on April 21, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  40. ^ "Awards & Award Winners". PEN Oakland. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  41. ^ "Opal Tometi: Black Lives Matter". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. January 5, 2020. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  42. ^ "Archived copy". Twitter. Archived from the original on December 5, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  43. ^ "Opal Tometi Awarded Clarkson University Honorary Degree | Clarkson University". www.clarkson.edu. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
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