Tolu Olubunmi is a globally recognized leader and senior strategist dedicated to empowering migrants and reshaping global narratives on democracy, migration, and climate action. As the founder of How To Speak American (HTSA), she leads a groundbreaking initiative that promotes civic engagement, voter registration, and storytelling to empower new Americans. While HTSA initially focused on the 2024 U.S. elections, its vision is global, with plans to inspire democratic participation worldwide, reinforcing that citizenship is an affirmation of belonging, shared values, and a collective future.
Tolu’s personal journey from Nigeria to the United States, where she once lived as an undocumented immigrant, has shaped her mission to amplify the voices of marginalized communities. She was a key architect in building the largest immigrant youth movement in U.S. history, and her relentless advocacy has earned her a place on the cover of TIME Magazine. Tolu has been a featured speaker at prestigious forums, including the United Nations, White House, World Bank, and U.S. Congress. Her story has been covered by major media outlets, including NBC, BBC, US News & World Report, and MSNBC.
Tolu also serves as the host of Microsoft’s UN Innovation Room Series, a docu-series that highlights how UN organizations are embracing innovation to reignite the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Her work extends to leading the ActNow climate action campaign at the United Nations, where she has mobilized governments, businesses, and civil society to collaborate on scalable solutions to the global climate crisis.
A graduate of Washington and Lee University with a degree in Chemistry-Engineering, Tolu also serves on the Board of Advisors at The Williams School at Washington and Lee University, where she supports educational leadership and bridges academia with global policy challenges. Whether advising world leaders or driving grassroots movements, Tolu remains steadfast in her commitment to creating a more inclusive and sustainable future.
When you ask Tolu why she does what she does, she responds with a quote by John Wesley - “Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.” She believes that each of us, in our own way, should all aspire to live out these words.
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“Until the lion learns to write all the stories will glorify the hunter.”
VIDEOS
Tolu shares her story at the Obama White House.
The Anti-Defamation League awards Tolu the Kay Family Award for her work on behalf of migrants, refugees, and displaced people.
The 109th Session of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Council, 27–30 November 2018 - the Council is the highest authority of the IOM.
Designer Carrie Hammer's New York Fashion Week Runway Show featuring CEOs, Executives, Olympians, Activists, and other inspiring women. Watch the entire show HERE. #RoleModelsNotRunwayModels
US Senate press conference with bi-partisan group of senators ("Gang of 8") introducing the 2013 comprehensive immigration reform legislation.
Historic TIME magazine cover story on U.S. immigration with Pulitzer Prize-Winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas.