DeRay Mckesson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
DeRay Mckesson
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Mckesson in 2024
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| Born | July 9, 1985 |
| Alma mater | Bowdoin College |
| Occupation | Activist, podcaster |
| Awards | Peter Jennings Award, Howard Zinn Freedom to Write Award |
| Honors |
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DeRay Mckesson (born July 9, 1985) is an American civil rights activist, podcast host, and former school administrator. A civil rights activist is someone who works to make sure everyone has equal rights and is treated fairly. Mckesson is a well-known supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.
He became known for his work during protests in Ferguson, Missouri, and Baltimore, Maryland. He uses social media like Twitter to share information and organize. Mckesson has also written for news outlets like HuffPost and The Guardian.
Along with other activists, Mckesson started Campaign Zero. This is a project that suggests ideas to help end violence by police. He also hosts the popular podcast Pod Save the People, where he discusses current events and social justice.
In 2018, he wrote a book about his experiences called On the Other Side of Freedom: The Case for Hope.
Contents
Early Life and Education
DeRay Mckesson grew up in Baltimore, Maryland. Even as a teenager, he was involved in his community. He was the leader of a group run by young people that gave money to local projects. He went to Catonsville High School and graduated in 2003.
After high school, Mckesson attended Bowdoin College. There, he was elected president of the student government. He graduated in 2007 with a degree in government and legal studies.
Career in Education
After college, Mckesson joined Teach for America, a program where recent graduates teach in schools that need more teachers. He taught at an elementary school in New York City for two years.
Later, he worked for public schools in Baltimore and Minneapolis. He held jobs in human resources, which involves hiring and supporting school staff. In 2016, he was chosen as the interim chief human capital officer for Baltimore's public schools. Some people have criticized his support for charter schools.
Activism and Public Life
Becoming a Full-Time Activist
In August 2014, Mckesson traveled from his home in Minneapolis to Ferguson, Missouri, to join protests there. He began spending all of his free time in the St. Louis area. By March 2015, he had quit his job to become a full-time activist.
Mckesson and other activists created projects to track information about police violence. In 2015, they launched Campaign Zero. This project presented a 10-point plan with ideas for changing how policing is done in America. For their work, Mckesson and fellow activist Johnetta Elzie received the Howard Zinn Freedom to Write Award in 2015.
Running for Office and Continued Work
In February 2016, Mckesson announced he was running for mayor of Baltimore. He came in sixth place in the Democratic primary election.
In July 2016, Mckesson was at a protest in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He was briefly held by police while he was live-streaming the event and was released the next day. A few days later, he met with President Barack Obama at the White House. They discussed how to improve relationships between police and communities.
Mckesson has appeared on TV shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to talk about race and education. In 2017, he started his podcast, Pod Save the People. On the show, he and his co-hosts talk about news, culture, and social justice with different guests.
Honors and Recognition
Mckesson has received many awards and honors for his work. In 2018, a portrait of him was added to the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. In 2021, his old college, Bowdoin College, gave him an honorary doctorate degree for his contributions to society.
Books
- On the Other Side of Freedom (2018) ISBN: 978-0525560326
See also
