Join Tolu in NYC for Water Week!
From 22 to 24 March 2023 the world will gather in New York to have a comprehensive midterm review of its progress of the implementation of the International Decade for Action, ‘Water for Sustainable Development’. The UN 2023 Water Conference, the first of its kind since 1977, aims to be a watershed moment for the world.
Full program available HERE.
“I have always been inspired by the richness and diversity of migrant stories. Migration is as normal a part of human existence as the need for affection and freedom. Thank you, USA for IOM for sharing my story as we remember and honor the rich cultural history, challenges and achievements of Black people.” - Tolu Olubunmi
W&L Welcomes Tolu to Board of Advisors
“I am honored to share that I have joined the Board of Advisors of the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics at my alma mater, Washington and Lee University.
Established in 1905, the Williams School is distinct among its peers--offering a business education within a larger liberal arts curriculum. In fact, Washington and Lee is the only top tier liberal arts college in the United States to claim a nationally accredited commerce school.
I head to Lexington, Virginia soon for my first Board meeting and I could not be more excited to get to work.”
The 2022 UN SDG Action Awards 🏆are about finding those who are flipping the script and rethinking how we live and what progress and development look like.
This is our moment to celebrate and shine a spotlight on those who make a difference in the world every single day – they are the SDG actors that mobilize, inspire and connect people to drive change!
Watch HERE.
“In 2017, I stood at the Kennedy Center amongst family, friends, and nearly 2,000 supporters all there to bear witness to an undocumented chemical engineer turned activist be honored by the Anti-Defamation League. “Her story is a testimony to the resilience within us all, and will give courage and hope to others who confront inhumanity and injustice,” the ADL said.
I have often referred to myself as an accidental activist since circumstances forced me to turn a crisis in my life into this purpose now worthy of praise. As I walked diligently in my new purpose, I discovered that stripped of all political messaging activism is quite simply putting public action behind our inner convictions. Putting public action behind inner convictions is at the core of the ADL’s mission - "to secure justice and fair treatment to all.”
Today, I am thrilled to share that I have gone from being honored by the ADL to joining forces in the unfinished work of securing justice for all. I could not be more thrilled to announce my appointment to the ADL Washington D.C. Board of Directors.
I am honored to step into this leadership role, and I hope that you will join me and the ADL in putting public action behind your inner convictions in our collective fight against inhumanity and injustice.”
UN INNOVATION ROOM SERIES
Tolu joins forces with Microsoft to present the UN Innovation Room Series - a docuseries that aims to shape global thinking on digital transformation and highlight how the United Nations is reimagining mission delivery with digital.
Now available on-demand, watch Tolu host a series of conversations with leaders from the World Health Organization, World Food Programme, United Nations Development Programme, and Microsoft about the role of digital in delivering their mission, tackling the COVID-19 crisis, and accelerating achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Episode One: WHO: Advancing health data innovation in the age of COVID-19
Episode Two: WFP: Digital technology, the flexible backbone of humanitarian response
Episode Three: UNDP: The “crisis opportunity” and the strategic role of data and digital transformation
Episode Four: Panel: Driving SDG impact by pivoting to digital together
For additional information visit - https://un-affairs.event.microsoft.com/Home/SubPageDetails/DigitalTransformation
United Nations General Assembly - 75th Session
Tolu will join today's leading voices from business, government, and the United Nations for #UnitingBusiness LIVE. Over a series of three forums, leading Chief Executives, corporate sustainability experts and business leaders will come together to take stock of the state of the world, address gaps in progress, drive business ambition on the SDGs and highlight cooperative and actional solutions that are ready — today. These themes will run throughout multi-stakeholder panels, live General Assembly presentations and CEO interventions, and will encourage a global cross-sector dialogue through programme-themed meet-ups, interactive breakout-sessions and exposition booths.
Registration is now open for this virtual event! https://registration.unglobalcompact.org/website/15648/
Political strategist and social entrepreneur Tolu Olubunmi will deliver the inaugural International Day of Peace address at Washington and Lee University on September 21 at 5:30 p.m.
“It is a genuine pleasure and honor to welcome Tolu Olubunmi back to campus to inaugurate the celebration of the International Day of Peace. All of her work has been focused on making the world more peaceful, more just and more inclusive. Her leadership in so many pursuits in the name of peace and justice across the globe is inspirational. At a time in which so much of the world confronts crisis and division, it is critical to pause and reflect upon the pursuit of peace and the forces that can unite people and overcome the challenges that confront people across nations. The importance of Ms. Olubunmi’s Peace Day remarks cannot be underestimated.” - Mark Rush, director of the Center for International Education.
This virtually event is free and open to the public. Watch here - https://livestream.com/wlu/peace-tolu-olubunmi
The Supreme Court Upholds DACA, protects DREAMers.
Photo credit: Al Drago/Bloomberg“My absolute favorite African proverb says, “Until the lion learns to write all the stories will glorify the hunter.” Dreamers decimated the false narrative of undocumented immigrants as a monolithic group of uneducated and ill-engaged individuals, and revealed a diverse, committed, commanding, and relatable group of immigrants. Our voices shattered myths, misconceptions, and ignited a nation’s consciousness. We taught the lion to write.
Today’s victory belongs to every Dreamer who chose to hope in the face of dreams deferred. Every Dreamer whose tears line the path to a more just future. Every Dreamer who faced Goliath and made the improbable inevitable.
To the allies who understood that our world is made endlessly better when we all fight, no matter our station, to ensure life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, thank you!
This is neither a beginning nor an end but a moment in our journey that assures all of us of tested courage that although our struggle may be long and hard, right is on our side.” - Tolu Olubunmi
The United Nations ActNow Climate Campaign
The United Nations welcomes Tolu as the campaign manager for its ActNow Climate Action Campaign.
ActNow is the United Nations’ global call to individual action on climate change. The campaign is a critical part of the UN’s coordinated effort to raise awareness, ambition, and action for climate change and accelerate implementation of the Paris Agreement.
Primarily an online and social media campaign, ActNow will educate and encourage individual actions, mainly by adjusting consumption patterns. By changing our habits and routines, and making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we have the power to confront the climate challenge.
ActNow harnesses advances in digital technology to spur behaviour change. The ActNow bot recommends daily actions to reduce our carbon footprints – like traveling more sustainably, saving energy or eating less meat. By registering and sharing your actions, you send a message that individuals like you want climate action and are willing to take it.
Go to ActNow.bot and log your climate action today!
“From the Colonnade to the Capitol… and Back”
Tolu heads back to her alma mater, Washington and Lee University to meet with students and college administrators. Tolu’s return to campus included a public talk entitled “When Lions Write: Innovations in Advocacy,” at of the Washington Term Speaker Series.
LIFEBOAT PREMIERES IN NEW YORK CITY
LIFEBOAT is a 34-minute documentary film that captures the desperate plight of refugees as they undertake the dangerous Mediterranean crossing from Libya to Europe in rubber boats. In a real-life context with dire consequences, LIFEBOAT puts a human face on one of the world’s greatest contemporary, global crises and provides a spark of hope surrounding how civil society can intervene in the refugee crisis in a meaningful way.
In the latest episode of “A Way Home Together” we talk about why restrictions on the #HumanRights of one group of people can impact all people.
Tolu also shares her personal story of advocacy, and her many struggles and triumphs as one of the world’s 258 million international migrants.
Our podcast is produced with help from our friends at IOM— the U.N. Migration Agency.
Follow us on Twitter @AWHTPodcast
Metropolis Welcomes Tolu as 2018 Keynote Speaker
Global Migration in Turbulent Times <> October 29, 2018 – November 2, 2018 <> Sydney, Australia
The International Metropolis Conference is the largest annual international conference that explores emerging issues around migration, mobility, and integration. Metropolis 2018, which will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney will explore Global Migration in Turbulent Times.
UN Secretary-General launches Youth 2030: The United Nations Youth Strategy & Generation Unlimited Partnership
On September 24, 2018, during the 73rd UN General Assembly, Tolu will join the United Nations Secretary-General, the President of the UN General Assembly, Heads of State, CEOs of global companies, foundations, and NGOs, and youth leaders for the launch of Youth2030: The UN Youth Strategy and UNICEF’s Generation Unlimited partnership.
Youth2030 provides the unifying framework for a UN-System wide reset and reorientation of youth-focused campaigns and activities. It stresses the need to engage young people so they can more meaningfully contribute to the work of the United Nations, and to ensure the UN can benefit from their views, insights and ideas. As the first new action of Youth2030, Generation Unlimited will tackle the global education and training crisis currently holding back millions of young people and threatening progress and stability.
WATCH THE LAUNCH with UN Secretary General Secretary-General, António Guterres, President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame, Prime Minister of Denmark Lars Løkke Rasmussen, World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim, Microsoft President, Brad Smith, BTS, Lilly Singh, Graça Machel, and others.
“…the hopes of the world rest on young people.”
Tolu Accepts Special Appointment to the United Nations
The UN Migration Agency’s Director General has selected Tolu to serve as an advisor to the United Nations Department of Global Communications in New York. She will focus on youth engagement on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and migration.
Passionate and Vocal Supporters of the Anti-Slavery Movement Turned their Outrage into Action and Marched in the Streets of L.A.
In November 2017, CNN reported that African migrants were sold off as slaves in Libya for the equivalent of approximately $400. To raise awareness about migrants being abused and exploited in Libya and other countries around the world, USA for IOM, the non-profit partner of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), joined the “March Against Slavery in Libya and Beyond” in Los Angeles, California.
Tolu sits on the Board of Directors of USA for IOM and represented the organization at the L.A. rally. "These rallies are a testament to the global support for eradicating this worst kind of evil and restoring hope to its victims." - Tolu Olubunmi,
Watch Tolu's powerful speech and join the movement to end modern slavery worldwide.
The Anti-Defamation League Honors Tolu at the 23rd Annual ADL In Concert Against Hate
The ADL In Concert Against Hate honors unsung heroes who have stood up against intolerance, extremism, and injustice. The Concert is performed by the National Symphony Orchestra and attended by more than 2,000 people from Washington, DC and across the nation, including elected leaders and government officials, university presidents and school superintendents, teachers and students, civil rights, religious, civic and community leaders, law enforcement and prosecutors. Previous honorees include Congressman John Lewis, Ruby Bridges, Daniel Pearl, and Judy and Dennis Shepard.
"The ADL said to me - 'in honoring you, we wish to recognize your bravery and strength, and express our deep support of your mission to advocate for migrants, immigrants, and refugees…Your story is a testimony to the resilience within us all, and will give courage and hope to others who confront inhumanity and injustice.' Words fail me to express my deep gratitude for this honor, particularly at this moment in our history. As a woman, a person of color, an immigrant, and a DREAMer, I am humbled to have my work and the worth of the many "minority" groups I belong to be acknowledged and celebrated by the Anti-Defamation League." - Tolu Olubunmi
Tolu Olubunmi co-chairs Investing In Women: Smart, Profitable, Accessible with Glenmede and BRAVA Investments.
Glenmede and BRAVA Investments are bringing together industry leaders to share their perspectives on how investors can grow their assets while also advocating for women. The discussion will focus on impact investing and how it can be leveraged to elevate the position of women globally.
Event co-chairs include, Assemblyman Michael Blake, Erika Dilday, Kerry Kennedy, Kathryn Kolbert, Samantha Miller, Marie C. Wilson, and Sheryl WuDunn.
BRAVA Investments, LLC names Tolu Olubunmi to its Board of Advisors.
More than an investment platform, BRAVA is a new take on impact investing that emphasizes outcomes over optics, for both investors and for women. We exist to deliver returns to investors and real, measurable results for women.
More information available here.
Tolu Olubunmi joins the Board of Directors of USAIM for IOM, the United States based non-profit partner of IOM, the UN Migration Agency.
"I am honored to support the decades-long work of USAIM for IOM and offer my unique perspective as a migrant in encouraging more inclusive and diverse societies." - Tolu Olubunmi
More information available here.
The hard work of turning our call to action into action begins. I'm honored to join Lawyers for Good Government (L4GG) and RISE When We Fall for the Rise Above Conference - inaugurating the new movement for equality, justice, freedom, and a government that works.
"For millions of Americans, election night 2016 was a call to action. The result? An extraordinary groundswell of political energy. On social media, on university campuses, in company break rooms and at community events, people gathered, shared ideas, and worked together to figure out how best to protect our most important rights and freedoms. Lawyers for Good Government Inc. and RISE When We Fall, two organizations at the forefront of this emerging movement, are now joining forces to host "Rise Above," a conference designed to coordinate and convert this unprecedented political energy into meaningful results."
January 21 - 22, 2017 at the Lincoln Theatre & the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
I am honored join the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for its first Global Migration Film Festival. The Festival will celebrate the many positive contributions of migrants to the hosting communities and reflect on the benefits of diverse and multicultural societies.
Please join me for a film screening and panel discussion on December 9 at the Elliot School of International Affairs from 4:30 pm- 6:30 pm. Save your seat today! http://bit.ly/2fztxRT
Learn more: http://www.iom.int/news/iom-launch-global-migration-film-festival-5-18-december
Check out the Fall 2016 issue of Lifestyles Magazine, where Tolu is included on their list of The Most Powerful Women In Philanthropy. The inaugural Women in Philanthropy issue spotlights women who have “dedicated their time and resources to ensure a better tomorrow. Acting as catalysts, their missions have changed the lives of countless people around the world, and their actions demonstrate how creating positive opportunities leads to societal change.”
Tolu is honored and humbled to be named alongside philanthropy powerhouse Oprah, Indra Nooyi, Pricilla Chan, Susan Buffett, Beyonce, and many other incredible women.
On Tuesday June 14th, Tolu will join President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Oprah Winfrey, and key players advancing the state of women and girls all over the world at the first-ever United State of Women Summit. Tolu will be contributing to the conversations on Civic Engagement and Empowering Women and Girls in STEM.
Designer Carrie Hammer’s bi-annual New York Fashion Week runway show featuring CEOs, Executives, Olympians, Activists, and other inspiring women on the the runway in lieu of traditional models to help women realize that real beauty lies in our differences, our power, and our accomplishments.
In recognition of International Women's Day on Sunday, March 8th, the World Economic Forum honors 15 women who are making a difference all over the globe.
Not Legal Not Leaving:
Undocumented Americans: Inside the Immigration Debate. Pultizer Prize-Winning Journalist Jose Antonio Vargas and Dreamers talk about growing up undocumented in America, and why immigration is the most misunderstood issue in the U.S. today
