Tarana Burke
Tarana Burke is an activist and community organizer who is best known for founding the 'Me Too' movement, which has become a global campaign against sexual violence and harassment. Born on September 12, 1973, in The Bronx, New York, Burke began her career working with survivors of sexual violence in 2003, founding the nonprofit 'Just Be Inc.,' which focused on the health, well-being, and wholeness of young women of color. Her work with 'Me Too' started in 2006 as a grassroots movement to reach sexual assault survivors in underprivileged communities who didn't have access to resources and support.
Burke's activism has earned her numerous accolades, including being named Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2017, as part of the 'Silence Breakers' group. She has worked at the intersection of racial justice and sexual violence, emphasizing the need for a survivor-centered approach in the movement against sexual violence. Her leadership and advocacy have been instrumental in breaking the silence around sexual violence and have inspired thousands to come forward with their stories.
In addition to her activism, Burke has also been a powerful speaker and writer, advocating for legislative and cultural changes to support survivors of sexual assault. She continues to focus on the importance of community action and the power of healing, and her work has sparked a worldwide conversation about violence, gender, and social justice. Her memoir, 'Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement,' details her personal journey and the development of the movement that has changed the dialogue around sexual violence.