In today’s world, social media plays many roles—it’s a source of news, a tool for learning, a space to share stories, and a vehicle for connecting and organizing with other people.
And throughout the past few weeks, it has played all of those roles in the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement. Millions have spoken out against the injustices inflicted on George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others. People have also begun to challenge themselves, their behaviors, and the behaviors of those around them. They have started to educate themselves further on anti-racism, their own privilege, and the issues that Black people have been facing for hundreds of years.
If you find yourself wondering how you can work to become a better ally but you aren’t sure where to start, keep reading for a list of inspirational Black voices—influencers, authors, public speakers, and more—who are dedicated to speaking out and educating the world on these issues.
1. Rachel E. Cargle
Rachel E. Cargle is an academic, writer, lecturer, and activist whose work explores the intersection of race and womanhood through intellectual discourse, tools, and resources. She’s also a dynamic entrepreneur. In 2018, Rachel raised funds in an effort to help Black women and girls gain access to mental health care. In several months, her social media community raised a quarter of a million dollars—and The Loveland Foundation was born.
You can join Rachel’s 1.7 million followers on Instagram.
2. Johnetta Elzie
Johnetta Elzie was one of the leading forces behind the 2015 Ferguson protests, and is cited as a leader in the Black Lives Matter movement, a front-runner in the 21st century’s civil rights movement, and one of the world’s most inspiring modern leaders. She is an activist and writer whose work has had a far-reaching impact on the world we live in. She co-edits a newsletter called This Is The Movement, runs a protest group called We The Protestors, and co-founded Campaign Zero, a platform of research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America.
You can follow Johnetta on Twitter and Instagram.
3. Angela Benton
Angela Benton is a pioneer of diversity in the technology industry—specifically in Silicon Valley’s tech and startup worlds. In 2011, she founded NewME, the first global accelerator for minorities. Through her leadership, NewME accelerated hundreds of entrepreneurs, helping the nascent companies to raise over $47 million in venture capital funding. Prior to that, she launched BlackWeb 2.0 in 2007, a multimedia platform that filled a much-needed void by becoming a vital nexus for African Americans interested in technology.
You can follow Angela on Twitter and Instagram.
2/ The top VC firms in Silicon Valley are a sea of whiteness. That’s the problem… yet we should trust that now all of a sudden #Blacklivesmatter and you will deploy capital to Black Founders? 🤔 You can’t even hire Black people on your TEAM. Case in point:
— Angela Benton (@ABenton) June 10, 2020
4. Charlene Carruthers
Charlene Carruthers is a political strategist, writer, and leading community organizer in today’s movement for Black liberation. She is the founding national director of Black Youth Project 100, the founder of the Chicago Center for Leadership and Transformation, and the author of the book Unapologetic: A Black, Queer, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements. Her passion for developing young leaders to build capacity within marginalized communities has led her to work on immigrant rights, economic justice, and civil rights campaigns nationwide.
You can follow Charlene on Twitter and Instagram.
5. Layla F. Saad
Layla F. Saad is a bestselling author, anti-racism educator, international speaker, and host of the Good Ancestor podcast. She speaks frequently on the topics of race, identity, leadership, personal transformation, and social change. Her debut book, Me and White Supremacy, is all about recognizing your privilege, combatting racism, changing the world, and becoming a good ancestor.
You can follow Layla on Instagram.
6. Minda Harts
Minda Harts is the founder of The Memo, a career development company for women of color. Her new book The Memo: What Women of Color Need to Know to Secure a Seat at the Table, provides a no-BS look at the odds stacked against women of color in professional settings, from the wage gap to biases and microaggressions. She is also the host of a podcast, #SecureTheSeat, that shares the stories of everyday women of color as they lean into a workforce that isn’t always invested in their success.
You can follow Minda on Twitter and Instagram.
If a company says Black Lives Matter—make sure the black lives in your company and organizations feel like they matter too. It starts in house.
— Minda Harts (@MindaHarts) June 16, 2020
7. Reni Eddo-Lodge
Reni Eddo-Lodge is an award-winning journalist, author, and podcaster. She is perhaps best known for her critically acclaimed debut non-fiction book, Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, which explores issues ranging from whitewashed feminism to the link between class and race. Her podcast, About Race, looks to take the conversation a step further featuring key voices in anti-racist activism.
You can follow Reni on Twitter and Instagram.
Hello all. Monday is the third anniversary of the publication of WHY I’M NO LONGER TALKING TO WHITE PEOPLE ABOUT RACE. I was going to save saying some thing until then, as I’m on a social media hiatus, but urgent circumstances have drawn me back.
— Reni Eddo-Lodge (@renireni) May 30, 2020
8. Brittany Packnett Cunningham
Brittany Packnett Cunningham is an activist, educator, writer, and leader at the intersection of culture and justice. She is an NBC News and MSNBC Contributor and former Fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics exploring social change and intersectional activism. She was an appointed member of the Ferguson Commission and President Obama’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. Today, she continues to advocate for urgent systemic change at critical decision-making tables and through national and international media.
You can follow Brittany on Twitter and Instagram.
Be clear:
The resources, time, energy and urgency that has gone into protecting capital has never been applied to protecting Black lives in America.
Not just because they don’t care.
Because the use and destruction of Black lives has been *central to creating the capital.*
— brittany packnett cunningham does not do remixes. (@MsPackyetti) June 1, 2020
9. Alishia McCullough
Alishia McCullough is a mental health therapist, author, and self-love promoter. She speaks frequently about Black feminism, race, body justice, and anti-diet culture. Recently, she co-founded the #AmplifyMelanatedVoices challenge on Instagram. Alishia is also the founder of The Holistic Black Healing Collective, which is an online collective centered around the healing and community of Black and brown people.
You can follow Alishia on Instagram.
10. Mireille Cassandra Harper
Mireille Cassandra Harper is a writer, assistant editor, publicist, and contributor to @girlsletstalk__, a place for womxn to learn, educate, inspire, and connect. Passionate about diversity and inclusion, Mireille has been campaigning, fighting for equality, and supporting and working with Black-owned organizations for years. She recently created a 10-step guide for those who want to support and be an ally to the Black community that went viral on social media.
You can follow Mireille on Twitter and Instagram.
