Opal Tometi

I challenge us all to have the courage of our convictions to fight for a fair, justice and inclusive society.

— Opal Tometi

Many of the concessions that leading Democrats seem willing to make - from cutting diversity visas to chipping away at family visas…

— Opal Tometi

Anti-black racism operates at a society-wide level and colludes in a seamless web of policies, practices, and beliefs to oppress and disempower…

— Opal Tometi

For the U.S., a nation that boasts of being the land of the free, it does not live up to its ideal.

— Opal Tometi

As we look ahead to our very diverse future, BAJI plans to continue to be at the forefront, uniting black communities to…

— Opal Tometi

Civility is the recognition that all people have dignity that's inherent to their person, no matter their religion, race, gender, sexuality, or…

— Opal Tometi

We actually know that all lives do matter. And we believe it is so much so that we had to create Black…

— Opal Tometi

We deserve a multiracial democracy that works for all of us.

— Opal Tometi

My parents being from Nigeria deeply informs all my social justice and human rights work.

— Opal Tometi

Knowing that there is a community of people on every corner of this planet that believes in justice, that is willing to…

— Opal Tometi

To me and to a number of other activists from the U.S., we believe that the human rights movement has to evolve…

— Opal Tometi

African-Americans and black immigrants share a resilience and a determination for a better life.

— Opal Tometi

In my own personal experience, I've had different family members who have been held in immigration detention because they've had some sort…

— Opal Tometi

The U.S. has long characterized Haitian immigrants as criminals. This tradition began in 1963 when the first boat of Haitians seeking political…

— Opal Tometi

We have to start imagining a new reality - this will mean fewer police and more social workers and teachers. This will…

— Opal Tometi

We came in as organizers before creating the Black Lives Matter network and project, and we are still organizers, strategists, political thinkers,…

— Opal Tometi

The black immigrant experience in the U.S. must be understood not in contrast to the African American experience but as an integral…

— Opal Tometi

I have always felt like I want to change the course of history.

— Opal Tometi

I think about issues like climate change, and how six of the 10 worst impacted nations by climate change are actually on…

— Opal Tometi

The reality is that anti-black racism is a global phenomenon, and it looks different in each context, but if you look at…

— Opal Tometi

I was in awe of previous black liberation struggle leaders - Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells. I wanted to be part of…

— Opal Tometi

We created #BlackLivesMatter. We created a platform. We used our social media presence online in order to forward a conversation about what…

— Opal Tometi

Fortunately, the leadership of black immigrant communities has always been present in all black liberation movements from leaders like Marcus Garvey to…

— Opal Tometi

I call on Democrats to use their leverage to fight for a clean DREAM Act and to reject Trump's racist agenda -…

— Opal Tometi

Without networks like the Black Immigration Network, organizations like Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees would not get the support and resources and…

— Opal Tometi