Lumumba Akinwole-Bandele is an organizer and educator based in central Brooklyn. He is the former National Strategies and Partnerships Director at The Movement for Black Lives. From 2011 to 2020, he served as the Director of Community Organizing at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. From 1994 – 1998 Lumumba served as programming coordinator at the Franklin H. Williams Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute (CCC). During his tenure at CCC, he also co-found Azabache, an organizers training conference and workshop series for young activists. All the while as a Black Studies Major at City College of NY/CUNY. Lumumba received his Masters of Human Service from Lincoln University in 1998. As a member and organizer with the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Mr. Akinwole-Bandele helped establish its campaign to counter police abuse and misconduct. He also co-founded the world renowned Black August Hip Hop Project. Black August raises awareness and support for political prisoners in the United States. From 2002 to 2007 Lumumba served as a counselor and lecturer at Medgar Evers College/CUNY. Lumumba continues to teach his community organizing class as an adjunct lecturer within the City University of New York. Lumumba currently sits on three boards, the Center for Constitutional Rights, The Malcolm X and Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center, and the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute.