Opal Tometi

Opal Tometi
Name	Opal Tometi
Birth date	1984
Birth place	Phoenix, Arizona, United States
Nationality	Nigerian American
Occupation	Activist, writer, strategist
Known for	Co-founding Black Lives Matter

Opal Tometi Opal Tometi is an American human rights advocate, writer, and community organizer known for co-founding Black Lives Matter and for her work on immigrant rights, digital activism, and social justice policy reform. She has engaged with civil society organizations, advocacy networks, philanthropic foundations, and international institutions to advance racial justice, immigrant justice, and grassroots organizing strategies across the United States and globally.

Early life and education

Tometi was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised by parents from Nigeria who emigrated from the Yoruba people region; her upbringing in the Southwest United States and ties to Lagos informed her bi-cultural identity and commitment to diasporic communities. She attended undergraduate studies where she engaged with campus organizations and civic engagement initiatives linked to institutions such as Arizona State University and community networks affiliated with United We Dream and National Council of La Raza. Tometi pursued graduate work and professional development with programs connected to organizations like Princeton University, Columbia University, and fellowship networks including the Echoing Green fellowship and collaborations with the Open Society Foundations and Ford Foundation.

Activism and career

Tometi’s early career included work with immigrant advocacy groups and human rights coalitions such as Immigrant Rights Action Group-style networks and legal services partnerships that collaborated with entities like ACLU and American Immigration Lawyers Association. She held leadership and advisory roles with organizations linked to policy research and advocacy like Migration Policy Institute, Center for American Progress, and community organizing bodies aligned with Service Employees International Union campaigns and municipal coalitions in cities like New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Tometi helped build digital organizing infrastructure that connected grassroots groups to national actors including Color Of Change, NAACP, Sisters in Law-type networks, and international coalitions linked to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

Black Lives Matter co-founding and organizing

As a co-founder of Black Lives Matter, Tometi collaborated with activists and organizers who worked in conjunction with movements and events such as the protests after the killings that drew attention alongside institutions like The New York Times coverage, solidarity actions similar to those around Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, and demonstrations modeled after tactics used in Occupy Wall Street and Million Man March-era mobilizations. She coordinated online campaigns using platforms and partnerships involving Twitter, Facebook, and networked support from groups like Black Youth Project, BYP100, Colorlines, and legal defense efforts linked to National Lawyers Guild and Brennan Center for Justice. Tometi’s organizing emphasized decentralized leadership and coalition-building across local chapters, municipal alliances connected to Oakland, Ferguson, and Baltimore, and transnational solidarity with activists in cities such as London, Toronto, and Johannesburg.

Immigration advocacy and policy work

Tometi’s immigration advocacy included directing and advising coalitions that intersected with policy actors and legal advocates at organizations like United We Dream, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles, National Immigration Law Center, and collaborations with municipal offices in Phoenix and advocacy campaigns tied to legislation like DREAM Act debates and executive actions paralleling Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals discourse. She worked with philanthropic partners and policy institutes including Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Center for Migration Studies, and international human rights mechanisms such as United Nations forums and networks akin to UNHCR stakeholder consultations. Her advocacy bridged grassroots campaigns, strategic litigation allies like ACLU Immigrants' Rights Project, and coalition partners including faith-based organizers from Mennonite Central Committee-style networks.

Writing, public speaking, and media appearances

Tometi has contributed essays, op-eds, and analysis for major outlets and platforms including The Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and commentary circuits that feature guests from institutions like NPR, CNN, BBC, and public affairs series similar to PBS NewsHour and panels at academic conferences hosted by Harvard Kennedy School, Georgetown University, and Columbia University. She has spoken at international forums and summits associated with organizations such as United Nations, World Economic Forum, and cultural events connected to TED-style stages, participating alongside figures from movements and institutions like Angela Davis, Cornel West, Michelle Alexander, Ava DuVernay, and policy leaders from Hillary Clinton-era discussions and progressive caucuses such as Congressional Black Caucus briefings.

Awards, honors, and recognition

Tometi’s work has been recognized by awards, fellowships, and honors from philanthropic and civic institutions including fellowships and prizes associated with Echoing Green, listings and features by Time magazine and honors similar to those given by BET Awards recognition lists, civic awards from municipal governments such as proclamations by city councils in New York City and philanthropic acknowledgments from foundations like Ford Foundation and Open Society Foundations. She has been included in compilations and rankings by media outlets and cultural institutions alongside other social leaders such as Patrisse Cullors, Alicia Garza, and activists connected to networks like Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation and international civil society registries.

Category:American activists Category:Human rights activists