Ayo Tometi

Ayọ (fka Opal) Tometi is an award-winning human rights defender and one of the three women who co-created #BlackLivesMatter. Tometi was born in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents and her background informs her advocacy, which now extends over two decades. Notably, in 2021, #BLM was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, and earlier that year Tometi became the first woman to be awarded the International Peace Honor. She has graced the cover of many magazines including TIME on two occasions. Tometi holds her Masters of Arts in Communications and is a skillful storyteller and social entrepreneur. She remains a trusted advisor to organizations in the public and private sector, and is widely respected for her courage and creativity.