The Black Lives Matter Tipping Point: The Praxis and Power of the Global Black Liberation Movement

Opal Tometi, Executive Director, Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI)
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Golda Meir Library, 4th Floor Conference Center, 4:00-5:30pm

BAJI a national organization that educates and advocates for immigrant rights and racial justice with African-American, Afro-Latino, African and Caribbean immigrant communities. Opal is the daughter of Nigerian immigrants and was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. Opal has been active in social movements for over 10 years and in November 2014 was named a “New Civil Rights Leader” by Essence Magazine for her cutting edge movement building work.

As a social justice leader, Opal’s contributions includes leading organizing efforts for the first ever Black-led rally for immigrant justice and the 1st Congressional briefing on Black immigrants in Washington DC. She is also also co-founder of #BlackLivesMatter and helped launch the political project and network in the wake of the murder of Trayvon Martin in order to combat anti-black racism.

Co-Sponsored by UWM’s Comparative Ethnic Studies program, Urban Studies Program, Global Inclusion and Engagement, Center for 21st Century Studies, and the Golda Meir Library. Additional co-sponsors include Transforming Justice and YES! (Youth Empowered in the Struggle).