Opal Tometi

Opal Tometi
Residence Brooklyn, New York
Alma mater University of Arizona
Occupation Activist, writer
Known for Black Lives Matter, Black Alliance for Just Immigration

Opal Tometi is a New York-based Nigerian–American writer, strategist and community organizer. Tometi is a Co-Founder of the Black Lives Matter movement.[1] She is the Executive Director at BAJI (Black Alliance for Just Immigration). Tometi collaborates with staff and communities in Los Angeles, Phoenix, New York, Oakland, Washington D.C. and communities throughout the Southern states. Tometi's work has been published by The Huffington Post.[2]

Personal life and education

Tometi is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants. She is the oldest of three children and has two younger brothers. She grew up in Phoenix, Arizona and now lives in Brooklyn, New York. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and a Masters of Arts degree in communication and advocacy from the University of Arizona.[3] Opal is a former Case Manager for survivors of domestic violence and still provides community education on the issue.

Activism

Black Lives Matter

Tometi joined with Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza to give shape to the Black Lives Matters movement. Tometi is credited with setting up the social media aspects of the movement.[4] Black Lives Matter is one of the largest social media movements and is in conversations of all topics: it is in the news, academia, sports, music, and entertainment. One of the larger mediums of Black Lives Matter social forums has been Twitter, which is bringing more media attention to tweets. Tometi's role of social media in the Black Lives Matter movement is paramount to its widespread through online spaces to tangible spaces. The very popular hashtag, #Blacklivesmatter, to Tometi is "an affirmation for our people. It's a love note for our people, but it is also a demand".

Twitter, Instagram, along with other social media platforms, has been used by people to express their standpoint on the topic; social media has become a measure of political views. Millennials' disproportionate use of social media, in relation to older generations, has seen a political resurgence through social media. Black Lives Matter has received mixed responses from Americans but it is no question that it has sparked many conversations, even as a topic in the 2016 U.S. Presidential Debates.

Black Alliance for Just Immigration

Prior to becoming Executive Director of BAJI, Opal worked as Co-Director and Communications Director. Her contributions include leading organizing efforts for the first ever Black-led rally for immigrant justice and the first Congressional briefing on Black immigrants in Washington DC. The Black Alliance for Just Immigration was founded in April 2006 to respond to anti-immigrant sentiment and repressive immigration bills under consideration by Congress.[5]

Background

A transnational feminist, Tometi supports and helps shape the strategic work of Pan African Network in Defense of Migrant Rights, and the Black Immigrants Network (BIN) international and national formations respectively, dedicated to people of African descent. She has presented at the United Nations and participated with the UN's Global Forum on Migration and Development and Commission on the Status of Women.

She is a student of liberation theology and her practice is in the tradition of Ella Baker, informed by Stuart Hall, bell hooks and Black Feminist thinkers.

Other

Tometi has spoken at Susquehanna University, the Facing Race Conference of 2012, and the Aspen Institute's Ideas Summit.[6][7][8] 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.[9] In 2013 Tometi was invited to the White House to meet with Heather Foster, Obama's liaison to the African American community at the time.[10] 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[11] and is a member of Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.[12]

Recognition and awards

Tometi was featured as a new civil rights leader by Essence Magazine in 2014 and by the Los Angeles Times in 2013.[13] She was listed in the Root 100 list of African American Achievers between 25 and 45.[14] She was listed in the Cosmopolitan Top 100 list of extraordinary women. Along with Garza and Cullors, Tometi was named on the Politico50 2015 Guide to Thinkers, Doers, and Visionaries.[15] She received an honorary doctor of science degree from Clarkson University on May 7, 2016.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Dalton, Deron. "The Three Women Behind the Black Lives Matter Movement". Madame Noire. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Opal Tometi". The Huffington Post. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  3. ↑ Armstrong, Lisa. "Civil Rights Leaders". Black Alliance. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  4. ↑ Day, Elizabeth. "#BlackLivesMatter: the Birth of a New Civil Rights Movement". The Guardian. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  5. ↑ Freedman, Samuel G. (2009-12-25). "Trying to Build Bonds With Immigrant Stories". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-08-21.
  6. ↑ "@BlackLivesMatter Founder to Speak at Susquehanna University". Susquehanna University. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  7. ↑ Dinan, Stephanie. "Black Lives Matter is Message of 'Love' for All: Founder". The Washington Times.
  8. ↑ "Opal Tometi". Facing Race.
  9. ↑ "#BlackLivesMatter Founder to Speak at Sasquehanna". Susquehanna University. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Open White House". Conservative Treehouse. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity
  12. ↑ Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc
  13. ↑ Dandes, Rick. "How Friends Tapped Power of Social Media to Start a Movement". The Daily Item. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ "The Root 100". The Root. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Politico 50". Politico. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Clarkson University: Opal Tometi Awarded Clarkson University Honorary Degree". www.clarkson.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-19.

External links

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