Patrisse Cullors

Patrisse Cullors is a well-known activist, artist, and writer. She co-founded the Black Lives Matter movement in 2013¹. This movement fights for racial equality and social justice. Born on June 20, 1983, she is now 41 years old¹.

Her life’s work is dedicated to activism and social justice. Patrisse Cullors has shaped the Black Lives Matter movement’s vision and strategy. Her work has been recognized widely, earning her the Mario Savio Young Activist Award at 22².

She married Janaya Khan in 2016¹. Together, they support each other in their journey. As a co-founder, Patrisse Cullors has highlighted police violence and systemic racism. In 2020, millions protested against police violence³.

Key Takeaways

• Patrisse Cullors is a co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement, which she co-founded in 2013¹.
• She is a prominent activist, artist, and writer, and has received numerous awards for her contributions to social justice, including the Mario Savio Young Activist Award².
• Patrisse Cullors has been instrumental in shaping the Black Lives Matter movement’s vision and strategy, and has played a critical role in highlighting police violence and systemic racism³.
• She has written two books¹, and has been recognized for her work as a NAACP History Maker and a finalist for The Advocate’s Person of the Year².
• Patrisse Cullors continues to be active in various social justice organizations, including Black Organizing for Leadership and Dignity².

Early Life and Background

Patrisse Cullors grew up in Los Angeles. This shaped her fight for racial equality and her role as a key movement leader. In Van Nuys, a mostly Mexican-American area, she saw the struggles of poor communities.

Family Influences on Activism

Cullors was born in 1984 in Los Angeles, California⁴. Her mom, Cherice Foley, was a Jehovah’s Witness. Her stepdad, Alton Cullors, worked hard after a General Motors plant closed⁵.

Seeing her brothers face police brutality sparked her fight for justice⁵. Her family’s struggles taught her about inequality⁴.

Education and Political Awakening

At Grover Cleveland High School, Cullors started her activism. She joined the Bus Riders Union as a teen⁵. At UCLA, she studied religion and philosophy with a Fulbright Scholarship in 2012⁴.

She then got a Master of Fine Arts at USC’s Roski School. This helped her grow as a leader and advocate for racial equality⁵.

Influence on the Black Lives Matter Movement

Patrisse Cullors was key in shaping the Black Lives Matter movement. She worked with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi. Together, they turned a social media hashtag into a powerful force for change⁶.

Co-founding the Movement

In 2013, Cullors co-founded Black Lives Matter with Alicia Garza and Opal Tometi. They aimed to tackle systemic racism and violence against Black people⁶. They started with the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter, which quickly spread on social media⁶.

Key Campaigns and Protests

Black Lives Matter became a national voice in 2014 after Michael Brown and Eric Garner’s deaths. Cullors and her team led big protests, using social media to rally millions⁶⁷. They also launched campaigns like #WhatMatters2020 to boost voter registration and tackle social justice issues⁶.

Global Impact and Recognition

The Black Lives Matter movement has inspired fights against racial injustice worldwide. Under Cullors, the group grew to 12 chapters globally, thanks to grants and donations⁶⁷⁸. It has played a big role in highlighting racial inequalities, earning both praise and criticism⁶.

Current Endeavors and Future Goals

Patrisse Cullors is leading with passion and dedication. She’s making a big impact beyond Black Lives Matter. Her work in education and media shows her dedication to social change and empowering communities.

Activism Beyond Black Lives Matter

Cullors teaches at Otis College of Art and Design and Prescott College. She’s shaping the next generation of activists. She also started a production company in October 2020, working with Warner Bros. Television to tell important stories.

Focus on Social Justice Initiatives

Cullors tackles many social justice issues, like prison reform and LGBTQ+ rights. She uses her experience to push for solutions that bring equity and break down barriers⁹.

Vision for Racial Equality and Equity

Cullors dreams of a world where racial equality is real, in America and globally. She stresses the need for ongoing efforts to overcome obstacles. She believes strategic plans are key to lasting change¹⁰¹¹.

Source Links

1. Patrisse Cullors – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrisse_Cullors
2. Patrisse Cullors | MomsRising – https://www.momsrising.org/blog/users/patrisse-cullors
3. Patrisse Cullors on 10 years of Black Lives Matter: ‘A painful reminder of what hasn’t changed’ – https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/05/patrisse-cullors-black-lives-matter-keenan-anderson
4. Patrisse Cullors (1984- ) • – https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/cullors-patrisse-1984/
5. Patrisse Cullors Facts for Kids – https://kids.kiddle.co/Patrisse_Cullors
6. HUSL Library: A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States: The Black Lives Matter Movement – https://library.law.howard.edu/civilrightshistory/BLM
7. Black Lives Matter Cofounder Patrisse Cullors On Her Activism—And Art—Beyond Hashtags – https://www.forbes.com/sites/briannegarrett/2020/11/02/black-lives-matter-cofounder-patrisse-cullors-on-her-activism-and-art-beyond-hashtags/
8. Artist and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Patrisse Cullors on the 2024 election and why she left BLM – https://laist.com/news/politics/artist-and-co-founder-of-black-lives-matter-patrisse-cullors-on-the-2024-election-and-why-she-left-blm
9. Why “Black Lives Matter” Matters – https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/why-black-lives-matter-matters
10. Black Lives Matter: A Call to Action for Counseling Psychology Leaders – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5713902/
11. Practicing Transformation for Social Justice #BlackLivesMatter – https://movementstrategy.org/blog_post/blacklivesmatter-its-about-how-we-are-together-2/