Nupol Kiazolu facts for kids

Nupol Kiazolu (born June 12, 2000) is a young American activist. She started the group called Vote 2000. Nupol works hard to support civil rights for everyone. She also helps people who have faced difficult situations and those experiencing homelessness.

Growing Up and School

Nupol Kiazolu grew up in Brooklyn with her mother. For a time, they lived in a homeless shelter. Nupol began her work as an activist when she was just twelve years old.

How Nupol Started Her Activism

This happened after the sad death of Trayvon Martin in 2012. This event also helped start the Black Lives Matter movement. Nupol went to middle school wearing a hoodie. On the back, it said, "Do I look suspicious?" She also carried Skittles and iced tea. These items represented what Trayvon Martin had with him when he died.

School staff told her to take off the hoodie. She was sent to the principal's office. They even threatened to suspend her. But her math teacher supported her. Nupol then spoke with the principal. She talked about a famous court case called "Tinker vs. Des Moines." This case is about students' rights to free speech at school. Because of this, Nupol was allowed to wear her hoodie.

Nupol says this moment was very important for her. It showed her that being an activist was what she was meant to do.

Nupol's College Life

Nupol is currently a full-time student at Hampton University. She is studying political science and pre-law. She was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Nupol's Work and Projects

In 2017, Nupol started Vote 2000. This project aims to get more young people of color to register to vote. She worked with DoSomething.org. Their goal was to help 100,000 new voters sign up.

Standing Up for What's Right

In August 2017, Nupol went to Charlottesville. She joined a protest against the "Unite the Right" rally. She wanted more people to stand against the rally. She saw members of groups like Neo-Nazis and the KKK. She faced tear gas attacks and danger. After the death of Heather Hayer, Nupol left the protest.

Miss Liberia USA

In 2019, Nupol won the Miss Liberia USA beauty pageant. Her goal was to bring African and African American communities closer. She also wanted to help raise money for schools, healthcare, and buildings in Liberia.

Black Lives Matter Efforts

In May 2020, after the death of George Floyd, Nupol went to Minnesota. She helped organize Black Lives Matter protests there. On July 14, 2020, Nupol was arrested in Louisville, Kentucky. She was protesting at the home of state attorney general Daniel Cameron. This was after the death of Breonna Taylor. She was released the next day.

Nupol's Goals for the Future

Nupol believes that strong disagreements in politics are a big problem for free speech in America. She hopes to run for president of the United States in 2036. She wants to change how the country thinks about important issues. These include racism and homelessness. Nupol says she wants to see a fairer America. A place where your success is not decided by where you live.