DeRay Mckesson

#DeRayMckesson (July 9th, 1985 – ): An early and vocal supporter of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, Mckesson has been featured on many news panels discussing concerns of race in America. He grew up in #Baltimore and was active as a teenager as Chairman of #YouthAsResources, a youth-led grant organization. After graduating from #BowdoinCollege, he became involved in #TeachForAmerica, serving as an elementary school teacher for two years. He continued his work in educational policy, which garnered him some criticism for his support of charter schools, until he moved to Minneapolis where he also worked as a public school teacher. After resigning as a teacher, he moved to St. Louis where he became a full-time activist, working with #MappingPoliceViolence and #CampaignZero, which worked in reforming policing and decriminalizing nonviolent offenses that disproportionately affect People of Color, such as marijuana possession and loitering. In 2015, he spoke at the #GLAADGala, where he urged the need for people to live their truths and “come out of the quiet.” He has continued over the years to work diligently for the concerns of People of Color through the Black Lives Matter movement and with his book #OnTheOtherSideOfFreedom, and in 2016 he met at the White House with then President Obama to discuss concerns of police brutality and racism in this country. In 2018, a portrait of Mckesson was created for the #Smithsonian #NationalPortraitGallery for his work with political causes. Last month, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in human letters from Bowdoin College. #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAPride #Pride #LegendsOfPride #YouCannotEraseUs