Rokhaya Diallo (born 10 April 1978) is a French journalist, author, filmmaker, and public intellectual known for her activism on racial, gender, and religious equality. She is frequently described by international media, including The New York Times, as one of France’s most prominent anti‑racism activists.
Early life and education
Born in the 4th arrondissement of Paris to Senegalese and Gambian parents, Diallo grew up in the Parisian suburb of La Courneuve. She earned a master’s degree in International and European Law before completing a degree in marketing and distribution at the Université Panthéon‑Sorbonne (Paris I) in 2003.
Career
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Journalism and broadcasting: Diallo has contributed to major French outlets such as Canal+, RTL, France Culture, and Mediapart, and has hosted programs including Fresh Cultures on Mouv’ and Égaux mais pas trop on LCP. She co‑hosted the podcast Kiffe ta race (2018) and currently presents the podcast En Bonne Voix. Internationally, she has written for The Washington Post, The Guardian, and Al Jazeera.
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Film and documentary work: As a filmmaker, Diallo has produced and directed documentaries and short films addressing issues of racism, sexism, and social justice.
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Authorship: Her published books include Racism : A Guide (2011), France Belongs to Us (2016), How to Talk to Kids About Racism (2020), and the graphic novel Pari(s) d’Amies (2022).
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Academic roles: Since 2021, she has been a researcher at Georgetown University’s Gender Justice Initiative Research Center and teaches cultural studies at Paris 1 Panthéon‑Sorbonne University.
Activism and organizations
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In 2006, Diallo founded the anti‑racism association The Indivisibles, which campaigns against the “partition of French citizenship by physical appearance” and organizes the annual “Y’a bon Awards” to highlight racist statements by public figures.
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She has been involved with feminist and anti‑sexist groups such as Mix‑Cité and the global justice organization ATTAC.
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Diallo serves on the board of several cultural and civil‑society initiatives and has participated in international leadership programs, including the U.S. International Visitor Leadership Program (2010).
Recognition
Diallo’s work has earned her numerous accolades and media attention, including being named a contributor to the Global Opinions section of The Washington Post (2020) and receiving the Sojourner Truth Lecture award at George Mason University (2024).
Personal life
Diallo’s parents worked as a mechanic and a sewing teacher, respectively. She has spoken publicly about her experiences growing up as a Black woman in France and the influence of her West African heritage on her activism and creative output.
Selected bibliography
- Racism: A Guide (2011)
- France Belongs to Us (2016)
- How to Talk to Kids About Racism (2020)
- Pari(s) d’Amies (2022) (graphic novel)
Selected filmography
- Indivisibles (documentary series, 2014)
- Afro! (documentary, 2018)
Rokhaya Diallo continues to be an influential voice in French public discourse on equality, multiculturalism, and social justice.