Mandisa Thomas facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mandisa Thomas
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Thomas in 2017
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| Citizenship | American |
| Alma mater | Queens College, City University of New York |
| Occupation | activist |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Mandisa Lateefah Thomas is a well-known activist and the founder of Black Nonbelievers Inc. She has spoken at many events that promote a non-religious way of thinking. She also shares her group's ideas through different media like TV and radio.
Contents
Early Life and Background
Mandisa Thomas grew up in a home where religion was not a big part of daily life. However, her grandmother was very religious. When Mandisa was 21, she moved to Atlanta with her husband. There, she found it challenging to live a non-religious life because of the local culture. This experience inspired her to create Black Nonbelievers.
She believes that religion, especially Christianity, became a strong part of the African-American identity because it was forced upon people a long time ago.
Mandisa Thomas's Activism
Mandisa Thomas is a strong voice for people who don't follow a religion. She has done many things to help others who think like her.
Speaking at Events
In 2013, Mandisa spoke at a big meeting called the National Convention of American Atheists. This was an important event for people who don't believe in a god.
Organizing Rallies
Later that same year, she organized the Blackout Secular Rally in New York. This was a special event because it was the first outdoor gathering in the United States led by non-religious people of color. It was also the first rally to celebrate different races within the secular community. She got the idea for this rally after seeing how successful the 2012 Reason Rally was.
Recognized by Lawmakers
In 2017, Mandisa Thomas was even mentioned in a special bill in California. This bill, called SCR-79, was passed by the California State Senate. It officially recognized October 15, 2017, as the 16th annual California Freethought Day. This shows how important her work is.
Media Appearances
Mandisa has been interviewed by many news groups. She has appeared on CBS News, WABE FM 90.1's Closer Look, and NPR's Code Switch podcast. She has also been on the Freedom From Religion Foundation's Freethought Radio show. Magazines like Jet have written about her. She has also written her own articles for news outlets like CNN.
She has also acted in some documentaries. These include Contradiction (2013), Racial Taboo (2013), and My Week in Atheism (2014).
Black Nonbelievers Organization
Mandisa Thomas started Black Nonbelievers, Inc. in 2011. It is a non-profit group for people who don't follow a religion.
Goals of Black Nonbelievers
The main goals of Black Nonbelievers are to:
- Help people feel comfortable about not being religious.
- Make sure non-religious African-Americans are seen and heard.
- Offer support and ways for people to connect with each other.
Most of the leaders in the organization are women. It also includes people from the LGBTQ community. Black Nonbelievers has chapters in ten cities across the U.S. They work with other groups like African Americans for Humanism and the Freedom From Religion Foundation.
Full-Time Activism
In March 2018, Mandisa decided to focus all her time on her work with Black Nonbelievers. She left her job as an event services manager at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This allowed her to dedicate herself fully to activism.
Awards and Honors
Mandisa Thomas has received several awards for her important work.
- In 2018, the Unitarian Universalist Humanist Association named her their Person of the Year.
- In 2019, the Secular Student Alliance gave her their Backbone Award.
Personal Life
Mandisa Thomas lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband. He is also an atheist. They have three children.
