A stunning betrayal of trust has unfolded in Oklahoma City, where the former executive director of Black Lives Matter (BLM) OKC faces serious federal charges. Tashella Sheri Dickerson, 52, stands accused of diverting over $3.15 million intended for the organization’s crucial bail fund and social justice initiatives into her own personal accounts over a five-year period.
The indictment alleges a calculated scheme spanning from June 2020 to October 2025. Dickerson, entrusted with managing funds meant to support the movement, allegedly used the money for lavish personal expenses, painting a stark contrast to the organization’s stated mission.
Details revealed in the indictment are particularly jarring. The funds were reportedly spent on extravagant travel to destinations like Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, tens of thousands of dollars in retail purchases, and over $50,000 in food deliveries. A vehicle and six separate real estate properties were also acquired using the misappropriated funds.
BLM OKC had garnered significant financial support since 2020, raising over $5.6 million through substantial grants from organizations like the Community Justice Exchange, the Massachusetts Bail Fund, and the Minnesota Freedom Fund. These groups entrusted the funds to BLM OKC with the expectation of responsible stewardship.
The Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ) acted as BLM OKC’s fiscal sponsor, requiring strict adherence to tax-exempt guidelines and prohibiting unauthorized real estate purchases. AFGJ also demanded full transparency and accounting of expenditures, a requirement prosecutors say Dickerson deliberately circumvented.
Instead of depositing returned bail checks into BLM OKC’s accounts, Dickerson allegedly funneled at least $3.15 million into her personal holdings. She then submitted falsified annual reports to AFGJ, falsely claiming the funds were used solely for approved, tax-exempt purposes.
Dickerson held a position of authority within BLM OKC since at least 2016, granting her complete access to the organization’s bank, PayPal, and CashApp accounts. Prosecutors contend the misconduct began during a period when BLM OKC was permitted to retain portions of returned bail money to bolster its operations.
This case echoes past scrutiny surrounding the financial practices of BLM-affiliated organizations. In 2022, the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation faced criticism for purchasing a $6 million California property with donor funds, sparking debate over transparency and oversight.
A federal grand jury returned a 25-count indictment on December 3rd, charging Dickerson with 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. If convicted, she faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison for each wire fraud count and up to 10 years for each money laundering count, alongside substantial fines.
It is crucial to remember that these are allegations, and Dickerson is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office and IRS-Criminal Investigation, highlighting the seriousness of the accusations.
