Blair Imani

“Empathy and respect are not just important values but essential tools for challenging oppressive systems.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​”

Blair Imani is a trailblazing author, advocate, content creator and historian living at the intersection of Black, queer and Muslim identity. Her lengthy career has included a variety of different forms of advocacy, pushing for change for marginalised communities. 

Imani came out as queer on Fox News after Tucker Carlson said she was ‘not here to speak on behalf of those communities’ and talks often about how society treats her as a queer Muslim. She did a TEDx Talk in 2019 about how these identities have nothing to reconcile, explaining her story growing up queer and why representation of queer Muslims is so important. 

Many will know her for her viral web series Smarter in Seconds, produced since 2020, which are short, accessible videos providing education on difficult or complicated topics. Smarter in Seconds is often in collaboration with other individuals who have lived experiences of any topics Imani may not, showing a commitment to solidarity and collaboration. Imani is not afraid to lead conversations that others may avoid. 

Imani has been part of activism long-term, including at Louisiana State University where she founded Equality for HER, a non-profit for women and non-binary people to be empowered. Her first book was published in 2018: Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History. The book spotlighted seventy different people from a variety of backgrounds and intersections. Since then, she has written two other books: Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream and Read This to Get Smarter about Race, Class, Gender, Disability & More. 

In 2025, Imani was awarded the Activist with Impact Award from REACH LA, who celebrate LGBTQIA+ people of colour. She continues to be a recognisable figure in the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly for those marginalised for their religion, and across social media for her thoughtful, bitesize work. 

Whether it is her books, content on social media, or activism, Blair Imani is a commanding voice that leaves people feeling empowered, informed and ready to take action. In a world where there is so much noise about what we should or should not be doing, Imani provides clear information that enables you to take on whatever you wish to. 

“Do not harden your heart to the devastating realities of our shared world. Be a beacon of love and abundance in a world full of cruelty and scarcity.”