Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Oklahoma City, United States — Federal prosecutors have unsealed an indictment charging Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, the executive director of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City (BLM OKC), with multiple counts of wire fraud and money laundering relating to the alleged misappropriation of more than $3.15 million in funds raised by the organisation for bail and social justice programmes. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury on 3 December 2025 and revealed publicly this week, intensifying scrutiny of financial practices within local advocacy groups.
According to the indictment, Dickerson, 52, who has led BLM OKC since at least 2016, had access to the chapter’s bank accounts and other financial platforms, including PayPal and Cash App. Prosecutors allege that between June 2020 and October 2025, funds originally intended to post pretrial bail for individuals arrested during racial justice protests following the 2020 killing of George Floyd were instead diverted into her personal accounts.
Court filings state that BLM OKC raised more than $5.6 million in donations and grants — much of it routed through its fiscal sponsor, the Arizona-based Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ) — on the understanding that returned bail funds would either be used to expand a revolving bail fund or otherwise support the organisation’s charitable mission. However, the indictment alleges that Dickerson deposited at least $3.15 million of returned bail checks into personal accounts and then used those funds for recreational travel to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic for herself and associates, tens of thousands of dollars in retail purchases, at least $50,000 in food and grocery deliveries for herself and her children, a personal vehicle, and the acquisition of six real properties in Oklahoma City held either in her name or through an entity she controlled.
The indictment also alleges that Dickerson misled AFGJ by submitting false annual financial reports on behalf of BLM OKC. These reports purportedly claimed that the funds had been used solely for tax-exempt, charitable purposes permitted under U.S. regulations, when in fact significant portions were allegedly diverted for personal use.
The federal grand jury returned a 25-count indictment that charges Dickerson with 20 counts of wire fraud and five counts of money laundering. If convicted, she could face significant prison terms and fines. For each wire fraud count, she could receive up to 20 years in federal prison and fines of as much as $250,000, with money-laundering convictions carrying up to 10 years’ imprisonment and similar financial penalties.
In a Facebook Live video posted after the charges were made public, Dickerson said she was “fine” and remained at home, asserting confidence in her legal team but declining to comment officially on the indictment itself. Her remarks reflected a posture of defiance amid the serious federal allegations, which have drawn attention both locally and nationally.
The Oklahoma City chapter of Black Lives Matter is not a registered tax-exempt organisation under U.S. law, but it had accepted donations through AFGJ, which served as its fiscal sponsor. The arrangement obligated BLM OKC to adhere to strict accounting rules governing the use of charitable funds — including the prohibition on using such donations for personal benefit or for purchasing real estate without express sponsor approval.
The case forms part of a broader federal investigation into financial practices among organisations that emerged from the racial justice protests of 2020. Since those protests, several organisations affiliated with the Black Lives Matter movement have faced scrutiny over how donated funds were managed and spent, with federal authorities emphasising accountability and transparency in the handling of charitable contributions.
Observers say the indictment underscores the legal and ethical responsibilities of nonprofit leaders in safeguarding donor contributions and adhering strictly to intended purposes. Advocates for donor transparency have welcomed the indictment as a reminder that organisations must be held to high standards of financial governance, particularly when their work involves community support and justice-related initiatives.
Dickerson’s indictment highlights the potential consequences of alleged financial misconduct: aside from criminal penalties, the case could have reputational repercussions for the chapter and its affiliated networks, as well as impact broader discussions about governance in activist and advocacy organisations. Her legal team has not yet filed a public response to the charges, and the case is expected to unfold in federal court as prosecutors and defence attorneys prepare for trial.
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