Blair Imani facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blair Imani
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Blair Imani in 2018
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| Born |
Blair Elizabeth Brown
October 31, 1993 |
| Education | Louisiana State University |
| Known for | Activism |
| Movement | Black Lives Matter |
Blair Imani (born Blair Elizabeth Brown on October 31, 1993) is an American author, historian, and educator. She is known for her work as an activist and for creating helpful online videos. She identifies as Black, Muslim, and part of the LGBTQ community.
Since 2020, Blair Imani has been famous for her web series called Smarter in Seconds. Before that, she became well-known for her involvement with the Black Lives Matter movement. She also protested against a travel ban in 2017.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Blair Imani grew up in San Marino, California. She finished high school there in 2012. Later, she went to Louisiana State University (LSU). She earned a degree in history from LSU in 2015.
Blair Imani's Career and Books
Starting Equality for HER
In 2014, while still at LSU, Imani started an organization. It was called Equality for HER (Health Education Resources). This group helps women and nonbinary people feel strong and supported. It provides useful information and a place for discussion.
Working for Social Change
After college, Imani worked for important groups. ..... She also worked at DoSomething, a tech company. This company helps young people get involved in social change.
Writing Books for Everyone
Blair Imani is a successful author. Her first book, Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History, came out in 2018. It shares stories of 70 important people. These people are often overlooked but are changing the world. The book includes stories about people of color, LGBTQ people, and people with disabilities.
In 2020, she published another book. It is called Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream. This book teaches about the Great Migration. It also explores how we tell Black stories.
In 2021, she released Read This to Get Smarter about Race, Class, Gender, Disability & More. This book helps readers learn to be more understanding. It covers topics like race, gender, and disability.
Smarter in Seconds Videos
In September 2020, Imani started "Smarter in Seconds." This is a series of short, helpful videos. She shares them on Instagram Reels and TikTok. The videos explain topics like consent, fairness, and protecting the environment. They help people learn quickly.
Activism in Baton Rouge
In July 2016, Blair Imani joined a protest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This protest was about a police shooting. During the protest, she and her partner were arrested. Imani later shared her experience. She said she was treated roughly by officers. A photo showed her being carried away by special police.
While she was held, she said an officer removed her head covering. Less than a week later, Imani helped organize a gathering. This event honored police officers who were killed in Baton Rouge. She stated that all violence is wrong. She is against all forms of brutality, including violence against police.
Personal Life and Identity
Her Journey to Islam
Blair Imani became a Muslim in 2015. She had been Christian before. During the Black Lives Matter protests in 2015, she reached out to mosques. She wanted to support both Black lives and the safety of Muslims. This led her to learn more about Islam and eventually convert. She found comfort in reading the Quran.
She changed her last name to Imani. She explained that "Imani" means 'my faith'. It is also a word from the Swahili and Arabic languages. She felt it showed her journey to Islam. A year after converting, she started wearing a hijab. She briefly stopped wearing it after the 2016 presidential election for her safety.
Sharing Her Identity
In June 2017, Blair Imani publicly shared that she is part of the LGBTQ community. She did this while on a TV show. She was talking about fighting for different communities. The host interrupted her. Blair then said, "Well, Tucker Carlson, in addition to being a Muslim woman, I am a black, queer person."
After she shared this, she received many different reactions. Some people were very supportive. She said she got support from LGBTQ Muslims and young people worldwide. She also found comfort in seeing LGBTQ Muslim characters on the TV show The Bold Type.
Works
| Year | Title | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History | Ten Speed Press | Illustrated by Monique Le. This book highlights 70 important people who are changing the world. |
| 2020 | Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream | Random House | Illustrated by Rachelle Baker. This book teaches about the Great Migration and Black history. |
| 2021 | Read This to Get Smarter about Race, Class, Gender, Disability & More | Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale | This book helps readers become informed and understanding. It discusses topics like race, gender, and disability. |
See also
In Spanish: Blair Imani para niños
