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| DeRay Mckesson | |
|---|---|
| Name | DeRay Mckesson |
| Birth date | 9 July 1985 |
| Birth place | Newark, New Jersey |
| Occupation | Activist, educator, writer, podcaster |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Known for | Activism during Ferguson unrest, Black Lives Matter movement |
DeRay Mckesson DeRay Mckesson is an American activist, educator, writer, and podcaster known for civil rights advocacy, digital organizing, and public commentary. He rose to national prominence during the Ferguson unrest and became associated with the Black Lives Matter movement, engaging with communities, media outlets, and political figures. Mckesson has worked across education, technology, and philanthropy, publishing commentary and participating in electoral politics.
Mckesson was born in Newark, New Jersey and raised in Brooklyn and Baltimore, where he attended schools influenced by municipal and state policies. He graduated from the University of Baltimore and later earned a master's degree from Johns Hopkins University. His early experiences intersected with urban policy debates involving officials from Mayor's office, educational institutions like Baltimore City Public Schools, and civic organizations such as Teach For America and AmeriCorps.
Mckesson became a prominent figure in the aftermath of the Shooting of Michael Brown and the subsequent Ferguson protests, working alongside activists connected to Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi, and Patrisse Cullors who helped shape the Black Lives Matter network. He used social media platforms associated with Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram to amplify demonstrations, coordinate mutual aid, and document encounters with law enforcement agencies including the Ferguson Police Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol. His activism intersected with organizations such as NAACP, National Urban League, Color of Change, and grassroots groups linked to the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and engaged legal advocates from American Civil Liberties Union and civil rights attorneys like Benjamin Crump.
Mckesson's professional background includes classroom teaching in Baltimore City Public Schools and roles in technology and nonprofit sectors collaborating with enterprises and institutions such as Facebook (company), Twitter, Inc., Venture for America, and philanthropic entities like Open Society Foundations and Ford Foundation. He has been involved with media organizations including The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, CNN, and The Guardian as a commentator and contributor. His work has involved partnerships and discussions with policymakers from the United States Senate, the United States House of Representatives, municipal leaders like Mayors of New York City, and civic innovators at institutions such as Harvard Kennedy School, Stanford University, and Columbia University.
Mckesson announced and ran a campaign for Mayor of Baltimore in a local election, participating in debates and forums that included figures from the Baltimore City Council, labor groups like the AFL–CIO, and community organizations such as Moms Demand Action. His campaign engaged with political processes involving the Democratic Party, endorsements and critiques from policymakers including members of the Maryland General Assembly and civic leaders from groups like Common Cause and Fix the Debt. Throughout his political activity he interacted with electoral oversight from bodies such as the Maryland State Board of Elections and civic monitoring groups like the League of Women Voters.
Mckesson authored a book and contributed essays and opinion pieces to outlets including The New York Times, The Atlantic, Time, Wired, and The Guardian. He co-hosted podcasts and appeared on programs produced by Pod Save America, Slate, and independent producers, speaking at conferences hosted by institutions such as TED Conferences, Aspen Institute, Brookings Institution, New America, SXSW, Comic-Con International, and universities like Yale University and Princeton University. He delivered speeches alongside public intellectuals and activists such as Cornel West, Angela Davis, Michelle Alexander, Ibram X. Kendi, and policy experts from Center for American Progress.
Mckesson attracted criticism and controversy related to tactics, messaging, and organizational transparency, drawing scrutiny from journalists at The Washington Post, The New York Times, and commentators on Fox News and MSNBC. His role during the Ferguson unrest led to legal and law-enforcement attention involving grand jury coverage of the Shooting of Michael Brown and debates in state legislatures including the Missouri General Assembly. Debates involved civil rights organizations such as National Action Network and critiques from commentators associated with National Review and The Daily Caller. Questions were also raised in media about campaign finance practices reviewed by the Federal Election Commission and investigative reporting by outlets like ProPublica and BuzzFeed News.
Category:Living people Category:American activists Category:Writers from Baltimore