DeRay McKesson is a civil rights leader and organizer who serves as Executive Director of Campaign Zero, a national initiative focused on advancing policy solutions that promote fairness, accountability, and safety within the criminal legal system. His work centers on developing practical strategies to reduce injustice and expand equity across communities.
McKesson’s commitment to advocacy began early. As a youth organizer in Baltimore, he became deeply involved in efforts addressing issues affecting communities of color. He rose to national prominence during the 2014 Ferguson protests and emerged as a prominent voice in the broader Black Lives Matter movement. Since then, he has worked to equip activists, policymakers, and community leaders with data-driven tools and policy frameworks designed to create meaningful structural change.
His leadership and organizing have earned recognition from public officials, including Barack Obama, and he has advised decision-makers at local, national, and international levels. McKesson continues to collaborate with advocates and institutions working to strengthen justice systems and expand civic participation.
A frequent media commentator, McKesson appears regularly on national broadcast and cable programs such as The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, as well as outlets including NPR, MSNBC, and CNN. His work and influence have also been featured widely in major magazines and newspapers.
Born and raised in Baltimore, McKesson graduated with honors from Bowdoin College. He has received honorary doctorates from The New School, Maryland Institute College of Art, and Bowdoin College.
He also serves in advisory and leadership roles across a range of policy, advocacy, and media organizations, contributing to initiatives focused on civic engagement, justice reform, public dialogue, and social impact.
