Tarana Burke

Tarana Burke is known for her pivotal role in starting the "Me Too" Movement and her continuous commitment to social justice work, specifically focusing on those who have experienced sexual trauma or harassment. In addition to being honored as one of The Silence Breakers named TIME's 2017 Person of the Year, she was also listed in TIME's "100 Most Influential People of 2018." Burke started her activism journey with the establishment of Just Be Inc., a non-profit aimed at supporting victims, years before "Me Too" eventually became a viral hashtag.

The impactful #MeToo hashtag campaign has resulted in over 13 million Facebook posts and Tweets, becoming a powerful rallying cry for survivors of sexual assault and harassment across the globe. Burke's story as the architect of what has grown into an international movement not only supports survivors but also serves to uplift and inspire them. Her latest accomplishment includes the publication of two books in 2021: "You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience" and "Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement."

The journey of "#MeToo" transcends an overnight hashtag sensation. Burke has dedicated over a quarter of a century to social justice, laying the groundwork for a movement initially intended to assist young women of color who survived sexual abuse and assault. Today, the movement bolsters solidarity, amplifies the voices of thousands of sexual abuse victims, and refocuses attention on survivors. Burke's work has been recognized by the academic community, with a case study published by Harvard University.

As a survivor of sexual assault, Burke serves as the Executive Director of the "Me Too" organization and is the Senior Director at Girls for Gender Equity in Brooklyn. When speaking on stage, Burke offers unique insight into the current state of affairs concerning the outpouring of sexual assault and harassment allegations. Moreover, she addresses critical issues of respect, dignity, and power dynamics in workplaces, politics, and even schools. Furthermore, she highlights the narratives of survivors and voices that are often marginalized. Burke regularly presents at public speaking events across the country and has been a speaker at Brown University and Calvary Episcopal Church. Her work has been rewarded with the 2018 Prize for Courage from The Ridenhour Prizes, among others.