As we move towards a more inclusive and equitable society, it is vital to recognize the individuals who are spearheading the antiracism movement. These individuals have made a significant impact in the fight against racism by speaking out against injustices and promoting awareness on various platforms, including social media. In this article, we will highlight the top 20 antiracism voices in 2023 that are paving the way for a more inclusive, accepting, and diverse world. Our top 20 antiracism voices in 2023 are:
Patrisse Cullors
Baroness Doreen Lawrence, OBE
Ibram Kendi
Tarana Burke
Bryan Stevenson
Kimberlé Crenshaw
Laverne Cox
Ava DuVernay
Rachel Cargle
Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Mary Hooks
Reni Eddo-Lodge
Ijeoma Oluo
Austin Channing Brown
Ta-Nehisi Coates
Sharon Hurley Hall
Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D.
Alicia Garza
Ayọ Tometi (FKA Opal)
Sandy Hudson
1. Patrisse Cullors
Patrisse Cullors is the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement and a leading voice in the fight against systemic racism. Her work has been instrumental in bringing attention to police brutality, racial inequalities, and the need for a more just society. She has used social media to raise awareness about the plight of African Americans and has been a vocal advocate for change.
2. Baroness Doreen Lawrence, OBE
Baroness Doreen Lawrence is a British Jamaican campaigner and the mother of Stephen Lawrence, a black British teenager who was murdered in a racist attack in South East London in 1993. She promoted reforms of the police service and founded the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust. She was awarded the OBE for services to community relations in 2003 and was made a life peer in the House of Lords in 2013. She has won praise for her tireless dedication to community, anti-racism and other causes close to her heart.
3. Ibram Kendi
Ibam Kendi is a renowned historian and author who has dedicated his life to fighting racism. He is the author of the critically acclaimed book "Stamped from the Beginning," which explores the history of racism in America. Kendi is also the founder of the Antiracist Research and Policy Center at American University, which aims to produce research that will lead to lasting societal change.
4. Tarana Burke
Tarana Burke is the founder of the #MeToo movement, which has brought attention to the prevalence of sexual assault and harassment. She is also a leading voice in the fight against racism and has used her platform to raise awareness about the intersectionality of gender and race. Burke has been instrumental in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and advocating for change.
5. Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson is a human rights lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative. His work has been pivotal in challenging the biases and injustices in our legal system. Stevenson has also been a vocal advocate for prison reform and has worked to raise awareness about the pervasive racism that exists within our criminal justice system.
6. Kimberlé Crenshaw
Kimberlé Crenshaw is a legal scholar and founder of the African American Policy Forum. Her work has been instrumental in bringing attention to the intersectionality of race and gender, and the need to address both issues simultaneously. Crenshaw's research has influenced policy-making and has transformed the way we think about race and gender.
7. Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox is an actress, writer, and activist who has used her platform to raise awareness about the intersection between transphobia and racism. Her work has been instrumental in challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting acceptance and understanding of the transgender community.
8. Ava DuVernay
Ava DuVernay is a filmmaker and director who has used her platform to shed light on issues of social justice and equality. Her film "Selma" brought attention to the struggle for civil rights, while her series "When They See Us" highlighted the injustices faced by black youth within the criminal justice system. DuVernay's work has been pivotal in sparking conversations about race and systemic inequalities.
9. Rachel Cargle
Rachel Cargle is an author, activist, and lecturer who has used her platform to promote awareness about racial injustices and the need for greater inclusivity and diversity. Her work has focused on the intersections of race, gender, and identity, and the need to address these issues in an intersectional way. Cargle has used social media to educate and empower her followers and has been a vocal advocate for change.
10. Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Brittany Packnett Cunningham is an activist, educator, and writer who has been instrumental in the fight against systemic racism. She is a co-founder of the Campaign Zero movement, which seeks to end police brutality and racial profiling. Cunningham has also been a vocal advocate for Black Lives Matter and has used social media to raise awareness about issues of racial justice.
11. Mary Hooks
Mary Hooks is a co-founder of the Atlanta-based organization Southerners On New Ground (SONG), which focuses on LGBTQ rights and economic and racial justice. Her work has been pivotal in bringing attention to the struggles faced by marginalized communities in the South and promoting greater equity and inclusivity. Hooks has been a vocal advocate for change and has used her platform to empower and uplift those who have been historically marginalized.
12. Reni Eddo-Lodge
Reni Eddo-Lodge is an award-winning journalist and the author of the bestselling book "Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People About Race." She is recognized as one of the foremost voices on race and racism in the UK and beyond.
13. Ijeoma Oluo
Ijeoma Oluo is a writer and speaker on issues of race, identity, culture, and social justice. Her book "So You Want to Talk About Race" is a must-read for anyone looking to understand how to address racial inequality.
14. Austin Channing Brown
Austin Channing Brown is an author and speaker who writes about Christianity and race in America. Her new book, "I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made For Whiteness," is a powerful exploration of what it means to be a Black woman in today's world.
15. Ta-Nehisi Coates
Ta-Nehisi Coates is a nationally acclaimed author and journalist who has written extensively on issues of race and class in America. His book "Between the World and Me" won the National Book Award in 2015.
16. Sharon Hurley Hall
Sharon Hurley Hall is the Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Diverse Leaders Group, the Founder and Curator-in-Chief of Sharon’s Anti-Racism Newsletter, and a renowned speaker on Anti-racism and Equality. Prior to this, she worked as a journalist, writer and educator for more than three decades. Sharon is the author of I’m Tired of Racism: True Stories of existing while Black.
17. Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D.
Janice Gassam Asare, Ph.D. is an Anti-racism Educator and founder of BWG Business Solutions, an award-winning consultancy that specializes in helping organizations grow stronger through diversity, equity, and inclusion. She is also one of LinkedIn's Top Voices when it comes to Anti-racism. Her book, The Pink Elephant, is a practical guide to creating a more racially equitable workplace for all employees.
18. Alicia Garza
Alicia Garza is one of the co-founders of the Black Lives Matter movement. She is a writer and organizer who works tirelessly for racial justice and social change.
19. Ayọ Tometi (FKA Opal)
Ayọ Tometi (FKA Opal) is an American human rights activist, writer, strategist, community organiser and Anti-racism advocate.
She is widely known for her role as a co-founder of Black Lives Matter and for her years of service as the Executive Director of the United States first national immigrant rights organization for people of African descent – the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI).
20. Sandy Hudson
Sandy Hudson is a Jamaican Canadian political activist, writer and the co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement presence in Canada. Sandy also co-founded the Black Legal Action Centre, a specialty legal aid clinic, which provides direct legal services and test case litigation for Black communities in Ontario, Canada. Sandy is currently based in Los Angeles.
In conclusion, these individuals have made a significant impact in the fight against racism and have been instrumental in promoting awareness and change. Their work has been influential in inspiring individuals worldwide to take action towards creating a more just and equitable society. These antiracist voices have used social media to amplify their message, educate, and empower their followers, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact they will make in years to come.