Toni Smith-Thompson

After sparking national debate in 2003 over her protest during the national anthem at college basketball games, Toni built a career in the non-profit sector, addressing social justice issues through direct service, organizing and policy reform. She is currently working on the New York Civil Liberties Union’s efforts to reduce school suspensions and arrests, promote equity through school integration, improve implementation of New York’s The Dignity Act, and affirm students’ First Amendment right to engage in protests. Previously she worked for New York Youth at Risk, a non-profit youth mentoring organization. She graduated from Manhattanville College with a degree in sociology.

Toni is an outspoken advocate and activist who speaks and writes on issues of equity and justice, with a particular focus on public education, free speech, and sickle cell anemia.