African Americans and African leaders have made significant contributions to the civil rights movement in recent years. These activists, organizers, and thinkers have pushed for racial justice and equality, using their platforms to amplify marginalized communities’ voices and demand change.
One of the most prominent young civil rights leaders is Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement. Cullors, in her mid-30s, has been at the forefront of the movement to end police brutality and systemic racism. She is also an author, artist, and organizer who has worked to uplift the voices of Black women and LGBTQ+ people within the movement.
Patrisse Cullors, Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Another notable young leader is Brittany Packnett Cunningham, an educator and activist advocating for police reform and racial justice. In addition to her work with the Black Lives Matter movement, Packnett Cunningham has also been a vocal supporter of the Movement for Black Lives, a coalition of organizations working to address anti-black racism.
Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Ava DuVernay is another young leader making a significant impact on the civil rights movement. As a filmmaker, writer, and director, Ava has used her platform to bring attention to issues of race and injustice in America. Her documentary, “13th”, which explores the 13th amendment and how it has been used to justify mass incarceration of Black people, was nominated for an Academy Award. She also directed and produced the hit Netflix series “When They See Us”, which tells the story of the Central Park Five and the injustices they faced.
Ava Duvernay, Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
In the area of education, Nikole Hannah-Jones, a journalist and writer, is best known for her work on the history of racial segregation in the United States and the ongoing fight for desegregation and educational equity. Her work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious MacArthur “Genius” Grant and the Pulitzer Prize for commentary.
Nikole Hannah-Jones, Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Black Lives Matter co-founder Opal Tometi is also considered. She is a Nigerian-American writer, strategist, and community organizer. She is an advocate for human rights and the rights of marginalized communities and has been a vocal critic of the criminal justice system in America. She is also the Executive Director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), an organization focused on the rights of Black immigrants.
Opal Tometi, Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Rachel Cargle, an author, public speaker, and educator, has been using her platform to raise awareness about intersectionality and how various forms of oppression intersect and impact marginalized communities. Through her writing, speaking engagements, and social media presence, Cargle has reached a broad audience and educated people about the importance of intersectionality in the fight for civil rights.
Rachel Cargle, Official Instagram
It is important to note that these young leaders are not alone in their efforts and are part of a more significant movement that includes people of all ages and backgrounds. However, their youth and energy bring a unique perspective and vitality to the civil rights movement. They also inspire many young people who see role models working to improve the world.
Anand Subramanian is a freelance photographer and content writer based out of Tamil Nadu, India. Having a background in Engineering always made him curious about life on the other side of the spectrum. He leapt forward towards the Photography life and never looked back. Specializing in Documentary and Portrait photography gave him an up-close and personal view into the complexities of human beings and those experiences helped him branch out from visual to words. Today he is mentoring passionate photographers and writing about the different dimensions of the art world.
