Tarana Burke Speaker Biography

Activist Author, and Founder of the #MeToo Movement

Tarana Burke is best known for founding the ‘me too’ Movement and has dedicated her life to social justice work and giving strength to those who experienced sexual trauma or harassment. Honored as one of The Silence Breakers, named TIME’s 2017 Person of the Year, and named to TIME’s “100 Most Influential People of 2018. Years before ‘me too’ became a viral hashtag, Burke founded Just Be Inc., a non-profit that helps victims.

#MeToo

The simple yet courageous #metoo hashtag campaign has generated over 13 million Facebook posts and Tweets, emerging as a rallying cry for people everywhere who have survived sexual assault and sexual harassment. Tarana’s powerful, poignant story as creator of what is now an international movement that supports survivors will move, uplift, and inspire you.

Social Justice

#metoo is not just an overnight hashtag sensation; Tarana has dedicated more than 25 years of her life to social justice and to laying the groundwork for a movement that was initially created to help young women of color who survived sexual abuse and assault. The movement now inspires solidarity, amplifies the voices thousands of victims of sexual abuse, and puts the focus back on survivors.

Survivor

A sexual assault survivor herself, Tarana is now Executive Director of the ‘me too’ organization. On stage, Tarana provides insight into the current state of affairs and outpouring of sexual assault and harassment allegations, addresses pressing issues of respect, dignity and power dynamics in schools, workplaces and politics, and shines a light on the stories of survivors and voices that continue to be marginalized.

Tarana Burke Speaking Topics

You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience

Activist and Author Tarana Burke has dedicated her life to understanding and teaching the topics of vulnerability and shame resilience. In this conversation, based on her bestselling book with Dr. Brene Brown, Tarana centers the conversation about diversity around Black humanity. By doing this, she gives audiences a space to recognize and process the trauma of white supremacy, be vulnerable, and unpack the roots and urgency of equality and inclusion for all.

Empowerment Through Empathy: ‘Me Too’ and the Journey to Healing

As her ‘me too’ movement continues to grow, Tarana Burke remains committed to ending sexual violence, empowering women, and interrupting systemic injustices that disproportionately impact marginalized people. Tarana is no stranger to speaking truth to power. In this conversation, she will expose the ugly truths of sexism on an individual and systemic level and walk the audience through creating the ‘me too’ movement and a space to discuss sexual violence, consent, and bodily autonomy. Audiences will walk away empowered by her journey and inspired to take back the power in their professional and personal lives.