Tarana Burke biography explores her age, early life, family background, education, personal life, activism, Me Too movement, Just Be Inc., career, books, awards and recognition, net worth, as well as the major events that have shaped her public life.
Her activism extends beyond sexual violence. Over the course of her career, Burke has worked on issues involving racial justice, gender equality, housing inequality, economic justice and the wellbeing of young women of colour. Her work has taken her from community organising in New York and Alabama to international advocacy and public speaking.
See also: Amanda Gorman biography
Tarana Burke Biography Highlights
- Full Name: Tarana J. Burke
- Popular Name: Tarana Burke
- Date of Birth: September 12, 1973
- Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, United States
- Nationality: American
- Education: Alabama State University; Auburn University at Montgomery
- Profession: Activist, Author, Community Organizer and Public Speaker
- Known For: Founding the Me Too movement
- Years Active: 1989–present
- Main Areas of Activism: Sexual violence awareness, survivor support, racial justice, gender equality and social justice
- Notable Organisations: Just Be Inc., Girls for Gender Equity and me too. International
- Notable Books: You Are Your Best Thing and Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement
- Notable Recognition: Time Person of the Year, Time 100 Most Influential People, Ridenhour Prize for Courage and BBC 100 Women
Who Is Tarana Burke?
Tarana Burke is an American activist whose work has focused on supporting survivors of sexual violence and advocating for young women and marginalised communities.
She is best known for creating the original Me Too movement in 2006. At the time, her work was focused on helping young women, particularly girls of colour, who had experienced sexual abuse and harassment.
The movement later gained global attention in 2017 when the hashtag #MeToo became widely used on social media following the sexual abuse allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
Burke has continued to emphasise that the movement existed long before the hashtag became viral. Her original vision was centred on empathy, solidarity and helping survivors understand that they were not alone.
Tarana Burke’s Age
Tarana Burke was born on September 12, 1973, making her 52 years old in 2026.
She was born in The Bronx, New York City, and her experiences growing up in the city contributed to her early interest in community issues and social justice.
Tarana Burke Early Life and Family Background
Tarana Burke was born and raised in The Bronx, New York City.
She grew up in a working-class environment and experienced the social and economic challenges that shaped her understanding of inequality.
As a young girl, Burke became interested in community organising. In the late 1980s, she joined the 21st Century Youth Leadership Movement, a youth development organisation that helped introduce her to activism and community engagement.
Her early experiences with organising and advocacy would later become the foundation of her career.
Burke has also spoken about the importance of her experiences as a Black woman in shaping her approach to activism. Much of her work has focused on issues affecting Black girls and women, particularly those whose experiences are often overlooked in mainstream conversations.
Tarana Burke Education
Burke attended Catholic primary school before going on to study at Herbert H. Lehman High School in The Bronx.
She later attended Alabama State University, a historically Black university in Montgomery, Alabama.
During her college years, Burke became increasingly involved in activism. She organised press conferences and protests focused on racial justice and became involved in broader efforts addressing discrimination and inequality.
She also attended Auburn University at Montgomery.
Her experiences during and after college helped shape her understanding of community organising and the connection between racial, gender and economic inequality.
Tarana Burke’s Personal Life
Burke has generally kept much of her personal life private, choosing to focus public attention on her activism and advocacy.
She has a daughter named Kaia Burke.
Her experiences as a mother have also informed her broader perspective on creating safer environments for young people, particularly girls who may face abuse, harassment and other forms of violence.
Although her public identity is strongly associated with the Me Too movement, Burke’s personal story also includes years of community work and advocacy that began long before she became internationally famous.
Tarana Burke Early Activism
Burke has described herself as an activist since 1989.
Her early activism was not limited to sexual violence. She has been involved in initiatives addressing racial discrimination, housing inequality and economic justice.
After graduating from college, Burke moved to Selma, Alabama, in the late 1990s.
Her time in Alabama became an important part of her development as a community organiser. She worked with young people and became increasingly focused on the experiences of girls and young women from marginalised backgrounds.
Tarana Burke and Just Be Inc.
In 2003, Burke founded Just Be Inc., an organisation focused on the wellness and development of young Black girls between the ages of 12 and 18.
The organisation was created to provide young women with support and opportunities to develop confidence and navigate challenges affecting their lives.
The work of Just Be Inc. became an important foundation for Burke’s later activism.
In 1997, before establishing the organisation, Burke had met a young girl named Heaven in Alabama. During their interaction, the girl told Burke that she had been sexually abused by her mother’s boyfriend.
Burke later recalled that she did not know how to respond to the disclosure at the time. She has said that she wished she had known how to tell the girl, “me too.”
The experience stayed with Burke and became one of the personal moments that influenced the development of the Me Too movement.
In 2006, she created a MySpace page connected to the early Me Too movement. Just Be Inc. received its first grant in 2007.
The Beginning of the Me Too Movement
Burke founded the original Me Too movement in 2006.
The movement began as part of her work with young women and survivors of sexual violence. Her goal was to create a sense of solidarity and help survivors understand that they were not alone.
The phrase “Me Too” was intended to express empathy. When someone shared an experience of sexual abuse or harassment, another survivor could respond with “me too” to communicate that they had experienced something similar.
The movement was initially rooted in grassroots community work rather than celebrity activism.
Tarana Burke and the #MeToo Movement
The Me Too movement became internationally recognised more than a decade after Burke first created it.
In October 2017, actress Alyssa Milano encouraged women to use the hashtag #MeToo on social media if they had experienced sexual harassment or assault.
The hashtag spread rapidly following widespread allegations of sexual abuse against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein.
Millions of people around the world began using #MeToo to share their experiences or express solidarity with survivors.
Milano later publicly acknowledged Burke’s earlier use of the phrase and the existence of the original Me Too movement.
Burke supported the widespread use of the hashtag while continuing to emphasise that the movement had existed since 2006.
What Does “Me Too” Mean?
The phrase “Me Too” represents solidarity and empathy among survivors.
Burke’s original idea was that survivors should be able to recognise that they are not alone and that their experiences deserve to be heard.
The movement also seeks to challenge cultures that allow sexual harassment and abuse to remain hidden or ignored.
For Burke, the phrase was never intended to be limited to famous cases. Her work has consistently highlighted the experiences of people whose stories may never receive national media attention.
Me Too International
In 2018, Burke helped establish me too. International, an organisation created to serve as a broader home for the movement.
She serves as the organisation’s Co-Founder and Chief Vision Officer.
The organisation’s work focuses on supporting survivors, addressing sexual violence and promoting long-term cultural change.
Burke’s role has involved helping shape the movement’s vision while maintaining its emphasis on survivors and marginalised communities.
Tarana Burke and Girls for Gender Equity
Burke has also worked with Girls for Gender Equity, an organisation focused on supporting young women and girls of colour.
She served as a Senior Director at the organisation.
The organisation’s work aligns with Burke’s broader activism, particularly her interest in helping young women develop confidence and addressing the social inequalities that affect them.
Her work with Girls for Gender Equity demonstrates that her activism has always extended beyond the Me Too movement.
Tarana Burke’s Work on Racial Justice
Racial justice has been an important part of Burke’s activism since the beginning of her career.
During college, she organised protests and press conferences focused on racial justice.
Throughout her career, she has also worked on issues involving racial discrimination, economic inequality and housing inequality.
Her activism has particularly focused on the experiences of Black women and girls, whose experiences of sexual violence and harassment may be overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream discussions.
This intersection between racial justice and gender equality remains an important part of Burke’s approach to activism.
Tarana Burke and the Film Selma
Burke served as a consultant for the 2014 film Selma.
The film portrayed the historic 1965 Selma to Montgomery voting rights marches and the civil rights movement surrounding them.
Her involvement reflected her broader connection to civil rights history and her interest in the relationship between activism, racial justice and community organising.
Tarana Burke’s Books
You Are Your Best Thing
Burke co-authored You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience with Brené Brown.
The book was published in April 2021 and explores vulnerability, shame and the experiences of Black people.
The book became an instant New York Times bestseller.
Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement
Burke published her memoir, Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement, in September 2021.
The book tells the story of her childhood, activism and the development of the Me Too movement.
It also explores the relationship between her personal experiences, her activism and the wider history of civil rights and social justice movements.
Unbound became an instant New York Times bestseller.
The memoir is particularly significant because it presents the history of the Me Too movement from Burke’s perspective and explains how the movement developed years before the #MeToo hashtag became a global phenomenon.
Harvard University Case Study
In 2020, Harvard University published a case study examining Burke and her work.
The case study recognised the significance of her activism and the development of the Me Too movement.
The academic attention also reflected the broader importance of studying grassroots activism and the way social movements can develop from community organising into international campaigns.
Tarana Burke’s Awards and Recognition
Burke has received significant recognition for her activism and influence.
Time Person of the Year — 2017
In 2017, Burke was named one of Time magazine’s Persons of the Year as part of a group known as “The Silence Breakers.”
The recognition highlighted women who had spoken publicly about sexual harassment and abuse and helped drive the broader cultural conversation around the issue.
Time 100 Most Influential People — 2018
In 2018, Burke was included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People of the Year.
The recognition reflected the international influence of the Me Too movement and her role as its founder.
Ridenhour Prize for Courage — 2018
Burke received the Ridenhour Prize for Courage in 2018 for her activism and work addressing sexual violence and abuse.
VOTY Catalyst Award — 2018
She received the Voices of the Year (VOTY) Catalyst Award from SheKnows Media in 2018.
Trailblazer Award — 2019
Burke was recognised with a Trailblazer Award in 2019 for her contribution to activism and social change.
Sydney Peace Prize — 2019
She was awarded the Sydney Peace Prize in 2019 in recognition of her work and influence in addressing sexual violence and promoting social change.
BBC 100 Women — 2022
In 2022, Burke was included in the BBC 100 Women list, which recognises influential women from around the world.
Tarana Burke’s Career and Public Influence
Burke’s career has developed across community organising, nonprofit leadership, activism, writing and public speaking.
She has spoken at universities, public events and organisations across the United States and internationally.
Her work has helped bring discussions about sexual violence and harassment into mainstream public conversations while maintaining a focus on survivors.
However, Burke’s influence extends beyond the hashtag associated with the movement she founded. Her career has included decades of work involving youth development, racial justice, gender equality and community organising.
Tarana Burke’s Net Worth
Tarana Burke’s exact net worth is not publicly verified.
Her professional activities include activism, nonprofit leadership, public speaking, writing and book publishing.
Her books, including You Are Your Best Thing and Unbound, have achieved significant commercial recognition, while her public speaking and professional work have also contributed to her career.
However, there is no reliable public financial disclosure establishing the precise value of her personal assets, investments, properties and other sources of wealth.
For that reason, any specific figure published online should be regarded as an estimate rather than a confirmed valuation.
It is also important to distinguish between funds belonging to nonprofit organisations associated with Burke’s work and her personal wealth. Donations, grants and organisational finances should not automatically be treated as personal assets.
Conclusion
Tarana Burke’s life and career have been defined by decades of activism that began long before the Me Too movement became a global phenomenon.
From her early involvement in youth organising to her work on racial justice, economic inequality and the wellbeing of young women, Burke built a career around community-based activism.
Her creation of the Me Too movement in 2006 marked a major development in her work. More than a decade later, the phrase became globally recognised through the #MeToo hashtag, changing the way sexual harassment and sexual violence were discussed around the world.
Yet Burke’s story extends beyond the viral hashtag. Her work with Just Be Inc., Girls for Gender Equity and me too. International reflects a broader commitment to supporting young women, survivors and marginalised communities.
Through activism, writing and public advocacy, Burke has become an influential figure in conversations about sexual violence, racial justice and gender equality. Her memoir and public work have also helped document the grassroots origins of a movement that grew into an international campaign for social change.
FAQs About Tarana Burke
Who Is Tarana Burke?
Tarana Burke is an American activist, author and community organiser best known for founding the Me Too movement.
How Old Is Tarana Burke?
Tarana Burke was born on September 12, 1973, making her 52 years old in 2026.
Where Is Tarana Burke From?
She was born and raised in The Bronx, New York City, United States.
What Is Tarana Burke Famous For?
She is best known for founding the original Me Too movement in 2006, which later became globally recognised through the #MeToo hashtag in 2017.
When Did Tarana Burke Start the Me Too Movement?
Burke founded the Me Too movement in 2006 as part of her work with young women and survivors of sexual violence.
Did Tarana Burke Create the #MeToo Hashtag?
Burke created the original Me Too movement and phrase in 2006. The #MeToo hashtag became widely used in 2017 after actress Alyssa Milano encouraged people to use it on social media. Milano later acknowledged Burke’s earlier work.
What Did Tarana Burke Study?
Burke attended Alabama State University and later attended Auburn University at Montgomery.
What Organisation Did Tarana Burke Found Before Me Too?
She founded Just Be Inc. in 2003, an organisation focused on the wellness and development of young Black girls between the ages of 12 and 18.
What Is Tarana Burke’s Book Called?
Her memoir is titled Unbound: My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement, published in 2021.
Did Tarana Burke Write a Book With Brené Brown?
Yes. Burke co-authored You Are Your Best Thing: Vulnerability, Shame Resilience, and the Black Experience with Brené Brown.
Does Tarana Burke Have Children?
Yes. Tarana Burke has a daughter named Kaia Burke.
What Awards Has Tarana Burke Received?
Her recognition includes Time Person of the Year in 2017, inclusion in the Time 100 Most Influential People of 2018, the Ridenhour Prize for Courage, the VOTY Catalyst Award, a Trailblazer Award, the Sydney Peace Prize and inclusion in the BBC 100 Women list in 2022.
Is Tarana Burke Still an Activist?
Yes. She continues to work in activism and advocacy, particularly around sexual violence, survivor support, racial justice and gender equality.
What Is Tarana Burke’s Net Worth?
Tarana Burke’s exact net worth is not publicly verified. Although she earns income through activities including writing, public speaking and professional work, no reliable public financial disclosure establishes her precise personal wealth.
