A shadow has fallen over the Black Lives Matter movement in Oklahoma, as Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, the former Executive Director of BLM Oklahoma City, now faces serious federal charges. A grand jury delivered a 25-count indictment alleging wire fraud and money laundering, accusations that strike at the heart of public trust.
The charges detail a stunning betrayal of donors who contributed over $5.6 million to BLMOKC, funds intended to support the cause of racial justice and, specifically, to bail out individuals arrested during protests following the death of George Floyd. Instead, prosecutors allege, the money was diverted into a life of luxury for Dickerson.
Beginning as early as 2016, Dickerson controlled the organization’s finances, managing bank accounts, PayPal, and Cash App access. BLMOKC operated under the fiscal sponsorship of the Alliance for Global Justice, a requirement that dictated funds be used solely for charitable purposes and meticulously accounted for – rules prosecutors say were flagrantly disregarded.
The indictment paints a picture of systematic embezzlement, beginning in the summer of 2020. Over $3.15 million in returned bail checks, meant to be reinvested in the community, were allegedly deposited directly into Dickerson’s personal accounts. This wasn’t a matter of small discrepancies; it was a deliberate and substantial misappropriation of funds.
The consequences of this alleged deception are stark. Dickerson is accused of using the stolen money to finance extravagant vacations to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, indulging in tens of thousands of dollars worth of retail therapy, and covering over $50,000 in personal food and grocery expenses.
But the alleged spending didn’t stop there. The indictment further claims Dickerson used the funds to purchase a personal vehicle and acquire six properties in Oklahoma City, either in her own name or through a company she solely controlled. These weren’t investments in the community; they were personal acquisitions funded by charitable donations.
To conceal the alleged scheme, Dickerson is accused of submitting falsified annual reports to the Alliance for Global Justice, falsely claiming that BLMOKC funds were used exclusively for tax-exempt purposes. This deliberate misrepresentation served to maintain the illusion of responsible financial stewardship while, prosecutors allege, she was enriching herself.
Each count of wire fraud carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The money laundering charges each carry a potential sentence of up to ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, or twice the amount of the illegally obtained funds. The case is a sobering reminder of the importance of accountability and transparency within organizations dedicated to social change.
