DeRay McKesson is a civil rights activist focused primarily on issues of innovation, equity, and justice. Born and raised in Baltimore, he graduated from Bowdoin College and holds honorary doctorates from The New School and the Maryland Institute College of Art.

McKesson has advocated for issues related to children, youth, and families since he was a teen. As a leading voice in the Black Lives Matter Movement and a co-founder of Campaign Zero, McKesson has worked to connect individuals with knowledge and tools, and provide citizens and policy makers with commonsense policies that ensure equity. He has been praised by President Obama for his work as a community organizer, has advised officials at all levels of government and internationally, and continues to provide capacity to activists, organizers, and influencers to make an impact.

Spurred by the death of Mike Brown and the subsequent protests in Ferguson, Missouri, and beyond, McKesson has become a key player in the work to confront the systems and structures that have led to mass incarceration and police killings of black and other minority populations. He is also the host of the award-winning weekly podcast Pod Save The People, which creates space for conversation about the most important issues of the week related to justice, equity, and identity.

McKesson frequently appears on national media outlets including "The Daily Show," "The Colbert Report," NPR, MSNBC, CNN, among many others. He has also been featured on the cover of The Advocate, Adweek, and Attitude Magazine and has been highlighted in a range of publications including Vogue, Vanity Fair, Interview, VICE, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Baltimore Sun. He is a board member of Rock The Vote, was named one of the World’s Greatest Leaders by Fortune Magazine in 2015, and one of the 30 Most Influential People On The Internet by TIME magazine in 2016.

Education Professionals, Educational Motivational, Discrimination, Diversity & Inclusion, Race, Racism, LGBTQ, Social Justice, Police, Activists, Social Activism, Gay Activism, Corporate Finance, Youth Development, Authors, Social Media, BLM, LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Culture, LGBTQ Voices, LGBTQ Rights, Gay Marriage, Civil Rights, Diversity Topics, Racial Justice, Black History Month, Podcast Hosts, College, Commencement, Black Heritage, Teen & Young Adult Issues, Voting Rights, Youth, Motivational, Influencer DEI,