Diaspora Star | AyọTometi : The Nigerian-American Powering Global Justice

In the vast diaspora of Nigerian brilliance, few names resonate as globally and powerfully as Ayọ Tometi, co-founder of the iconic Black Lives Matter movement and a fierce advocate for human rights. Born to Nigerian immigrants in the United States, Ayọ formerly known as Opal, has become a symbol of transnational activism, rooted in identity, resilience, and justice.

Born in 1984 to Yoruba-speaking Nigerian parents from Lagos, Ayọ’s early life in Phoenix, Arizona was shaped by both promise and pain. Her parents arrived in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants in 1983 and faced a grueling deportation battle that deeply influenced her views on migration and justice. The experience of watching her family navigate the American immigration system instilled in her a passion for advocacy.

That passion matured into purpose. With a Bachelor’s degree in public/applied history from the University of Arizona and a Master’s in communication studies from Arizona State University, Ayọ equipped herself to tackle systemic injustices with both empathy and eloquence.

Before Ayọ became a household name, she worked on the front lines , first as a case manager for survivors of domestic violence, and later as a voice for African immigrants in the U.S. As the former executive director of the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI), she championed issues of racial, economic, and immigrant justice especially for African and Afro-Caribbean communities.

But it was in 2013, following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin, that Ayọ, alongside Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza, helped co-found Black Lives Matter. The movement exploded globally, forcing the world to reckon with systemic racism and state-sanctioned violence.

Ayọ Tometi’s activism carries a cultural rhythm. In addition to English, she speaks Yoruba, Esan, and Pidgin English, and remains deeply connected to her Nigerian roots. Her first trip to Nigeria at 17 years old was a spiritual return that affirmed her diasporic identity. Today, she continues to inspire a new generation of Nigerians abroad to be bold in their voices and unwavering in their principles.

Ayọ’s leadership has earned her recognition from global institutions. She holds an honorary doctorate from Clarkson University, and has been featured by media outlets such as Time, Fortune, BBC, and The Guardian Nigeria.

She remains a sought-after speaker, strategist, and thinker, proving that diaspora voices are not just echoes from abroad, but megaphones for change.

Ayọ Tometi reminds the world that the Nigerian spirit transcends borders. With roots in Lagos and wings across the world, she embodies the power of heritage, activism, and unapologetic Black identity. In the constellation of the Nigerian diaspora, Ayọ Tometi is a star that burns bold and bright.