Black Lives Matter OKC Leader Charged in $3.15 Million Bail Fund Embezzlement Scheme
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The executive director of Black Lives Matter Oklahoma City (BLM OKC) has been federally charged with wire fraud and money laundering after allegedly diverting over $3.15 million in bail fund donations into her personal accounts over a five-year span. Tashella Sheri Amore Dickerson, 52, is accused of misappropriating funds intended to support bail and social justice efforts, instead using the money for luxury travel, shopping, and real estate acquisitions, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.
Federal prosecutors allege that between June 2020 and October 2025, Dickerson routed returned bail checks—originally meant to replenish BLM OKC’s bail fund—into accounts she controlled. The indictment details that she spent the embezzled funds on trips to Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, tens of thousands of dollars in retail purchases, over $50,000 in food delivery services, a vehicle, and six separate real estate properties.
BLM OKC reportedly raised more than $5.6 million starting in 2020, including substantial grants from organizations such as the Community Justice Exchange, the Massachusetts Bail Fund, and the Minnesota Freedom Fund. Most of these funds were routed through the Alliance for Global Justice (AFGJ), which acted as BLM OKC’s fiscal sponsor. AFGJ’s guidelines stipulated that all funds must be used for tax-exempt purposes under Section 501(c)(3), prohibited real estate purchases without approval, and required full accounting of expenditures upon request.
Despite these requirements, prosecutors say Dickerson deposited at least $3.15 million of returned bail money into her personal accounts rather than BLM OKC’s accounts. She also submitted two annual reports via interstate wire transfers to AFGJ that failed to disclose her personal use of the funds, falsely representing that all money had been spent solely on tax-exempt activities.
Dickerson, who served as executive director since at least 2016, had access to BLM OKC’s bank, PayPal, and CashApp accounts, enabling her alleged scheme. The indictment highlights that the misconduct began during a period when national bail funds permitted BLM OKC to retain portions of returned bail monies.
The Department of Justice’s press release regarding the indictment underscores the severity of the charges and the breach of trust involved in the alleged embezzlement. The case is part of a broader scrutiny of nonprofit organizations’ financial practices, especially those involved in social justice and bail reform initiatives.
BLM OKC has not publicly commented on the charges against Dickerson. The investigation continues as federal authorities pursue accountability for the alleged misuse of millions of dollars in charitable donations.
For more information on federal fraud investigations, visit the Department of Justice Criminal Fraud Section. The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s white-collar crime division also provides resources on financial crimes and enforcement efforts.
This case highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring transparency and proper stewardship of funds within nonprofit organizations, particularly those involved in high-profile social movements.
Leave a Reply