Tarana Burke’s Fight for Change
Tarana Burke’s name is synonymous with the Me Too movement. Long before the hashtag went viral in 2017, she had been building a grassroots campaign to give survivors of sexual violence a voice. Burke first coined “me too” in the 1990s while working with young Black girls in Selma, Alabama.
Her movement took off globally during the Harvey Weinstein scandal, which inspired millions to share their stories. TIME Magazine named Burke and the “Silence Breakers” its Person of the Year in 2017, cementing her as one of the world’s leading voices against sexual violence.
From The Bronx to Building a Movement
Born in The Bronx, New York, on September 12, 1973, Burke was drawn to activism as a teenager. She joined the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement in the late 1980s. Her early campaigns tackled housing inequality, racism, and economic injustice.
She later attended Alabama State University, an HBCU, where she sharpened her leadership skills. After graduation, Burke worked with young survivors of sexual abuse, many of whom were Black girls, and focused on creating safe spaces for healing.
How “Me Too” Was Born
The spark for the Me Too movement came during Burke’s time as a youth camp director. A young girl confided in her about sexual abuse. Though unable to fully respond at that moment, the experience motivated Burke to build a lasting support system for survivors.
She went on to found JustBe, Inc. in 2007, a nonprofit designed to empower Black girls through mentorship and workshops. The Me Too movement officially grew from this work, using the phrase “me too” to create what Burke calls “empowerment through empathy.”
Global Recognition and Impact
Burke’s dedication to survivors of color pushed the Me Too movement into the global spotlight. When her hashtag exploded on Twitter in 2017, it garnered over 19 million mentions. This surge not only raised awareness but also placed survivors at the center of the conversation.
Beyond activism, Burke has held leadership roles with Art Sanctuary in Philadelphia and the Black Belt Cultural Arts Center in Alabama. She has also worked on major cultural projects, including Ava DuVernay’s award-winning film Selma.
Uniting Black Women Across the World
In recent years, Burke has expanded her efforts through Me Too International, a nonprofit dedicated to dismantling systems that perpetuate sexual violence. Her work focuses on uplifting Black, queer, trans, and marginalized communities worldwide.
Most recently, she led the Me Too Global Network Pan-African gathering in Diani Beach, Kenya. The event brought together over three dozen organizations from 16 African countries. “We engaged in deep strategizing, honest dialogue, and collective visioning,” Burke shared. “Together, we built trust, connection, and a deep, rooted sense of solidarity.”
Honors and Continuing Legacy
Burke’s groundbreaking work has earned her multiple awards, including the Sydney Peace Prize and recognition as one of USA Today’s Women of the Decade. She is also the author of Unbound, a memoir that shares her journey as a survivor and activist.
Currently serving as senior director of Girls for Gender Equity in Brooklyn, New York, Burke continues to push for racial and gender justice. She remains committed to showing survivors that healing is possible and that their voices can drive change.
