Dominique Sharpton

“I remember my father being stabbed in 1991 while leading a protest in Bensonhurst protesting the killing of Yusef Hawkins who was killed by an angry white mob simply for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was 5 years old. I remember at that time, my parents forbade my sister Ashley and I to watch television after a certain time because my father was always on the news fighting for justice and had become somewhat controversial during that time. 

I disobeyed the babysitter one evening and turned on the power button to the TV, and on the screen I saw my father being stabbed. The entire action was being shown for the world to see on live television. As an asthmatic growing up, I immediately had an asthma attack and had to be hospitalized.
I remember my mother had to go from the hospital where my dad was to take care of me.  She had double duty because she was not only dealing with a hospitalized child, she was also dealing with a husband who was hospitalized because Black people were being unjustly killed. I realized at a very young age that I had to get over my emotions. I could literally lose my father to this cause that he chose and would ultimately lay down his life for if that’s what it came to.  Growing up with that mindset forces you to look at the world through a different lens.”

Dominique Sharpton is an actress, producer, and activist. As the National Director of Membership for National Action Network, one of the nation's oldest legacy civil rights organizations with more than 100 chapters and 40,000 members across the country, Dominique works to activate and engage the next generation of community activists and impact systemic change through local community development. She also produces live cultural events to activate and inspire change.